Rugby players are divided into 2 major roles: forwards and backs. Forwards are the big boys of rugby, they do all the fun stuff: scrummaging,lineout and the brunt or rucks and mauls. They play as a team and usually in high-traffic areas. Collectively, they are called the pack.
Backs are where the speed and finesse comes in. They are fast sprinters, very agile, and have exceptional kicking and ball handling. They work together, but generally play 1 on1 defensively against opponents. Backs play in the open field. There is always a bit of an intrateam rivalry between these two groups.
The forwards number 1-8 and during most phases of play, they are all one position. The pack of forwards work together in rucking and mauls and do the necessary work of keeping the ball for their side and also do short runs of 3-5 yards. The forwards get their different positions names form the scrum. Where they all have a specific place.
The front row consists of a tighthead prop, a loosehead prop and a hooker. They are in the front of the scrum. These are the heaviest guys on the team and have very strong neck and shoulders. The props are on the outsides and the hooker is in the middle. He gets his name for when he hooks the ball back in the scrum with his feet. The tighthead prop has his head bound into the scrum. The loosehead doesn't.
The second row, also known as lock forwards, are down behind the front row in a scrum. They are also pretty big and can be quite tall. Lock forwards are usually the jumpers in a lineout.
To the side of the rows, are called break forwards, or flankers. They are on the flanks of the scrum and have the best view of when the ball is out. When they see this, they "break" out of the scrum and are the first to get in the oppositions way.
Lastly is the number 8, or eightman. He is in the back of the scrum. He holds the ball in until the backs call for it. He also is the only forward allowed to pick the ball up in scrum and run with it, sometimes bringing flankers with him. He is called a number 8 for lack of a better name.
Backs are more position specific in the game. They run series of plays, which can be very complicated that range from short to long-range yardage. Backs need accurate passing and precision timing. Each back has a role separate from the others
First is the scrum-half. He serves as a link between the forwards and the rest of the backs. During pack work, he tells the pack when to put down the ball in a maul or when to stop the scrum from pushing. The scrum half also helps keep the forward plays and back plays in the same page. The scrum-half's main physical responsibility is to get the ball off from the ground and recycle it back into open play.
The fly-half is the leader of the backs. He calls all of the back plays and makes sure the line is in order and keeps the backs together. He usually touches the ball first, but does the least amount of actually running with it. The fly-half does most of the punting.
Next are the centers, There is an inside center and an outside center. The inside center is usually the biggest back and does crash plays back into the pack. The outside center is more noted for speed than size. Both centers work together in switches, skips, and other moves designed to fool the defense and burst throught that valuable open space.
The wingers are on the extreme outsides of the play. There is an open side winger and a blind side winger. The open side winger is on the extreme edge of the back line, this is not a designated person, it changes depending on which way the line is going. Wingers are very fast and the outside winger tries to turn the corner with his speed. Wingers must be sure tacklers as if the action gets out side of them, a big gain is eminent. The blindside winger is generally out out of action on offense, except for a few weak-side sneak plays. Defensively he must stop these weak side plays. He also fills in for the fullback when the fullback gets caught up in back play.
Last is the fullback, the fullback fields deep punts from the
other team and acts as a last line of defense in case of a big breakaway.
Offensively, he is used in sneak plays designed to exploit space and he
also fills in the back line when a back gets tackled and caught in ruck.
Back to the About Page