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neurologyYou need to know

• In rugby, legal passes must travel backwards or sideways from the passer’s hands, not forwards towards the opposition try line.
• A forward pass occurs when the ball is passed towards the opposition try line from the passer’s hands.
• A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession and the ball travels forwards from the hand or arm and touches the ground or another player before being regathered.
• An offside player is a player who is in front of a teammate who last played the ball and may not interfere with play until put onside.
• A secure catching position uses eyes on the ball, hands ready as a target, feet shoulder-width apart, and a balanced body posture.
• The ‘W’ target hand position means the fingers and thumbs form a W shape to receive the ball safely.
• A rugby ball should usually be carried in two hands in attack so the ball-carrier can either pass or continue running.
• A basic two-handed pass uses both hands on the ball, a controlled release, and a follow-through towards the receiver.
• For a good two-handed pass, both thumbs should point in the same direction through the pass and finish pointing towards the receiving player.
• A short push pass is a two-handed pass used over a short distance to move the ball quickly to a nearby teammate.
• A spin-style pass is used for a slightly longer distance and is generated by pulling the top hand towards the body to spin the ball.
• A pop pass, or offload-style pass, is a gentle upward pass out of the fingers for a supporting teammate to run onto, often when contact is about to happen.
• A successful attacking pass is usually backwards or flat and is released early enough for the receiver to keep moving forwards.
• Fixing a defender means running straight at or towards the defender so they commit to the ball-carrier before the pass is made.
• Drawing a defender creates space for a teammate when the defender moves towards the ball-carrier and leaves another attacker free.
• In a 2v1, 3v1, or 4v2 attack, the ball-carrier should pass to a teammate in space if the defender commits to the ball-carrier.
• A safe tackle begins from a low, balanced body position with eyes up and focus on the opponent’s mid-section.
• A safe tackle uses the shoulder for contact, keeps the head to the side, places a stable foot close to the opponent, and wraps the arms around the opponent.
• A tackler should drive through contact with short, controlled steps and avoid using excessive force.
• When taking contact, the ball-carrier should protect the ball, stay braced and balanced, and avoid exposing the ball to the defender.

• Catch a rugby ball by watching it into the hands, presenting a W-shaped target, keeping feet shoulder-width apart, and securing the ball before moving.
• Carry the ball in two hands while looking up regularly so that both passing and running options remain available.
• Perform a short two-handed push pass with both thumbs travelling in the same direction and finishing towards the receiver.
• Perform a backwards or diagonally backwards pass to a moving teammate with a controlled two-handed release and accurate follow-through.
• Perform a pop pass by flicking the ball gently upwards out of the fingers into the path of a supporting runner.
• Beat a defender in a conditioned overload, such as 2v1 or 3v1, by running straight to fix the defender and passing when the defender commits.
• Use evasive attacking movement by changing pace or direction while keeping control of the ball and staying balanced.
• Track and close down a moving opponent at jogging speed without over-committing or hesitating.
• Perform a safe static tackle by starting low, keeping the head to the side, contacting with the shoulder, wrapping the arms, and driving with short controlled steps.
• Take contact while protecting the ball by bracing the body, keeping the ball secure, and staying balanced through light pressure.