Saturday, 27 March 2010
20 top things about Rugby Union that you did not Know
Rugby and football were essentially the same game until 1863. The split occurred when attempts were made to formalise the rules of football, whereupon the Blackheath club quit the new Football Association, wishing to protect players' right to kick one another on the shins.
Initially, the game of rugby was played by teams comprising 20 players.
Rugby is the oldest international team sport, with the first rugby test predating both the first cricket and football tests.
The International Rugby Board was created as the result of a disputed try, in a match between England and Scotland.
The 1895 split between rugby league and rugby union occurred along both class and geographic lines. Clubs in the working class North embraced a professional game, while the wealthier clubs in the South adhered to the ethic of amateur rugby.
The United States is the reigning Olympic rugby gold medallist, having won the last rugby event played at the Olympics, in 1924.
Japan boasts the largest playing pool of any rugby-playing nation, with 125,000 registered players.
Pope John Paul II played rugby for the Polish national team.
The first Gilbert rugby ball was manufactured in the late 1700s by William Gilbert, a cobbler whose business was positioned next to the Rugby school at which the modern game was first played.
The shape of the modern rugby ball is derived from the use of inflated pigs bladders, which were used during the early years of the game.
During the early days of the game only a single point was awarded for a try. A drop goal, however, earned 3 points.
The first test between Western Samoa and Fiji was played at 7am in the morning, on a pitch with a large tree growing in its centre.
The South African rugby team didn't lose a single test series between 1896 and 1956.
World War One had a significant impact on the game of rugby. 133 international players were killed in battles, which resulted in the development of the sport being set back by decades, and also gave football the opportunity to become the most popular game in the United Kingdom.
If Germany had not occupied France during World War Two, rugby league would have been the dominant convention in that country. During the Nazi occupation all the assets of the massive French Rugby League were handed over to the French Rugby Union, and for decades after the war rugby league clubs were not permitted to describe their game as 'rugby'.
The grave of William Webb Ellis, the man credited with inventing rugby, was only located in 1959.
Stellenbosch Rugby Club in South Africa is the largest rugby club in the world with over 7,000 registered players.
Rugby Union is an extremely popular spectator sport in Georgia and Madagascar.
Since turning professional, the popularity of rugby has soared around the globe, with the 2007 Rugby World Cup attracting a cumulative audience of 4 billion. The sport is currently considered the second most popular on the planet, the first being football.
Rugby union is gaining in popularity more rapidly than any other sport in the United States, and the country already boasts a player pool larger than any of the Celtic teams participating in the Six Nations Championship.
Well, there you have it - 20 things you didn't perhaps now about rugby!
Learn more about Six Nations Rugby and how the game it played and bet one from around the world.
Friday, 26 March 2010
How to wear the right Rugby Clothing
Rugby is a very popular and exciting sport, with many fans both young and old supporting their teams as they work their way through the rugby leagues. Of course, there is a lot of skill, training and dedication shown by rugby players, but one important aspect of the sport that cannot be forgotten is the clothing worn by those playing the game.
It is essential that rugby clothing is hardwearing and suitable for the sport; rugby can be a tough game on both the players and their apparel, and therefore products that aren't going to fall apart at the first scrimmage are essential. There are many well known names in the world of rugby clothing, but one that has a lot of bestselling lines is Kooga. Established in 1997, Kooga is a UK based company specialising in the design and creation of hard wearing and hardy rugby clothing.
Kooga may be UK based, but teams around the world can be seen sporting the Kooga logo. Australia's Queensland Reds, England's Huddersfield Giant's and Japan's Secom Rugguts are just three of the many teams that delight in wearing Kooga products.
However, it isn't just the more famous of rugby players that can afford to wear Kooga, definitely not! Many retailers around the world stock Kooga products at affordable prices, and for good reasons. As the brand is so well known, the items tend to sell well and there is a wide range available to suit most people looking to buy rugby clothing. As there is a junior range, this means even children and younger players are catered for.
Important items of clothing worn by players of sports such as rugby are baselayers. These are items of clothing that fit tightly to the body and are worn under the external clothing used in such sports. The purpose of a baselayer is to provide extra protection and warmth to a player, ensuring they can play at optimum performance. Baselayers can also draw sweat away from the body during play. Many well known brands produce them, and Kooga is no exception.
Kooga baselayers again come in both junior and adult ranges, which help to sell the product to a wide spectrum of customers. The products available in the Kooga baselayer range for rugby includes skin vests, shorts (also known as pants) and t shirts (with both long and short sleeves). It may be that short sleeved Kooga baselayers are worn in warmer conditions, to ensure players do not overheat during the game.
Kooga baselayers are only one item featured in their extensive rugby clothing range, but Kooga also produce sporting accessories for all manner of players; water bottles, aluminium studs for rugby boots, gym bags and shoe bags are all available displaying the Kooga logo. With this wide range of products, it is no wonder Kooga is very much a household name in the world of sports.
If you are looking to buy a Kooga baselayer, or, indeed, any other type of Kooga/sporting product, be sure to buy from a genuine, trustworthy retailers. If buying online, make sure the website is secure and, if in doubt, call the shop to ask.
Established in 1973, Morrant Group Ltd is a family run business with over 35 years experience in mail order team sports equipment. Father, Daughter, Son and staff are working hard every day to ensure that our company achieves its aim. We sell a range of sports gear, including Kooga baselayers and goods. Please visit our website at http://www.morrant.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shantelle_Hynes
Thursday, 25 March 2010
How to punt or kick a Rugby Union ball
Punting is a very important part of the game. Punters like kickers are the most closely scrutinized players on the field. Unlike the other players who can jump off sides, start to early, the punter doesn't get a second chance unless the defense has a penalty. Each punting situation is different. You need to know how to punt the football for each set of circumstances. Do you punt away, quick kick or employ a rugby style kick. Regardless you punters have to get it right the first time. This article will give you the basics of how to punt the football.
Preparing to punt
Preparing to punt starts with your stance. Balance in your stance is vital, have your legs about shoulder width apart and your kicking foot about a half foot width behind your non punting foot.
Your body is squared with line of scrimmage and your arms bent in an L shape with your hands in front of you.
How to receive the snap
With your body squared to the line and hands in front, you are ready to receive the snap. Your eyes must be focused on the long snapper and the ball. Eying the defense and trying to read the rush can cause a muffed snap reception and put your team in a big hole.
As the ball is snapped, watch the ball all the way into your hands. The punting side hand should be on the end of the ball closes to your body.
While you position the ball in your hands, laces up, take a half step with your kicking foot full step with your non punting leg. This will build up the momentum for punting the ball. Your head is down looking at the ball, watching as your punting leg comes up meeting the ball and you kick through the ball.
Different types of punts
Field position or a hard rush can require you to use a different style punt.
***Pooch Punt***
This style of punt is designed to get a lot of air under the ball. You will sacrifice distance for height. To get air under your punt, hold the tip of the ball slightly up and the punt the ball. The more the tip is pointed up, the more air you get under the ball.
***Rugby Kick***
The Rugby Kick can be used to avoid a hard rush or to get a lot of roll on the ball.
Executing the Rugby Kick is taking one step back with your punting foot, and then a side a step, the follow up step is with your kicking foot kicking through the ball. Rugby Kicks don't produce a lot of height, are difficult to get a good run back on and should give you a lot of role.
***Quick Kick***
This punt is used when the snap is slow getting back and or the rush won't allow for a Rugby Kick.
The quick kick is taking one step with the non punting leg and then bringing the kicking leg up, foot meeting the ball with the follow through. You won't get as much height or distance on the ball, but it is better than having your punt blocked or being sacked with the ball.
Wide Snaps
If you get a wide snap, side step to the ball keeping your eyes on the ball and body squared to the line of scrimmage. A cross over step can cost you time or have you tripping over your own feet.
Over the head snaps
If the ball is snapped over your head, turn to the backside and pursue the ball. The backside is the opposite side of your kicking leg. As you come up behind the ball scooping it up you will have your kicking leg on the outside and in position to make the punt.
In conclusion these are the basics of punting. Becoming a successful punter takes more than just knowing how to punt the football.
Learn more about punting, visit us at http://www.scoretouchdowns.com/page/398219246 see our selection of how to punt the football videos.
Complimenting our punter training DVDs is our punting game category offering many excellent punt game coaching videos. http://www.scoretouchdowns.com/page/398509618
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Berkey
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
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