As a player is it easier to play 7s or 15s?

Question

I play wing on a 15s team. I was thinking about joining a 7 team this summer.

Answer 1

Both games are hard, if they werent then everyone would do it. 7's doesnt have the big scrums and as much of the rucks and mauls but there is a reason a half of a a 7's match is only 7 minutes long. Because by the time the whistle blows your wishing the ground would just open up and swallow you. Personally I play in the Front Row so every time I play 7's I feel like Tom trying to catch Jerry.

Answer 2

Try and stick with 15's it's the real game. 7s is just a diluted version.

Answer 3

i wouldnt say either is easier.  they are completely different games.  in 15's there is more of a chance to make up for a missed tackle, where as in 7's a missed tackle typically results in a try.  it is essential to have a flat defense in 7's that slides across the field.  we practice the transistion to 7's defense by playing all players vs. 1.  When someone scores, they move to the opposition side.  eventually you end up with a whole team defending 2-3 people.  it really helps line up the defense, but it also works on offense.  There arent the straight line plays that wingers practice in 15's-  theres much more looping and switching and pop passing.  kicking can be very effective in 7's becuase there typically isnt someone hanging back in full back position all the time.  If it takes 2 players to take you down in 7's, the overload is much more evident and effective than in 15's.  but its a lot of running!!  but its only 15 minutes total!... but theres harldy any rucking... no more than 2 people in at a time!  ... and the scrums are way different.  also there really arent the typical rolesof players.  even the role of scrum half is more fluid.  im not sure which i like more- i like playing both!

if you go to www.usarugby.org and click on the top left menu "FANS" and scroll down on that page, you will find a "spectators guide to rugby 7's"  its got diagrams and lots of good info

7's season is really fun- its more social becasue everythign is done in tournamnets and that usually means really fun socials.

Answer 4

Don't see many guys in the tight five playing sevens.

Need wheels to play sevens.

I reckon any winger should play at least one game of sevens.

Answer 5

15's and 7's are two completely different games, with extremely different strategies and tactics. The main difference between the two variations is in the movement of the ball and the lack of contact that occurs in 7's.

In 7's the goal of the game is to retain possession of the ball, minimize the opposition's chances to score, and utilize the full width and length of the field. There are very few kicks (if at all) in 7's, due to the fact that you give away possession when you kick. In an open field game with space, this can mean the difference of a win or a loss.

7's is also played with very little specification of roles. You will have your speed demons on a team, but generally a 7's team is expected to act like 7 loose forwards, support, tackling, and running. the distinction between backs and forwards in 7's is negligible.

As a tight 5 player, 7's just about kills me every time i get on the field, the stamina and heads up ability (ability to know how to close down the gain line while still covering 20 square meters) necessary to play 7's is phenomenal. On top of this is the fact that there is nowhere to hide on a 7's pitch, so any mistakes that are made WILL count towards the outcome of a game (not so good for the forwards!).

As a winger i think you'd have the speed to play 7's, if not the tactical awareness or pure stamina (sorry, i'm just guessing a worst case scenario here!), more so than anyone in the forward pack. But it will take alot of conditioning and practice to truly understand the game (the ball tends to move sideways alot, and you really want to avoid contact and breakdowns).

But have a go. 7's, when you get it right, can be much more fun than 15's as it is an open, flowing game. But after 14 mins on a 7's pitch, you feel like you've played 95 on a 15's! I'd say neither one is easier than the other, they just have their specialists (eric rush and serevi never really made it in the 15's code, and many 15's players don't have the ability to play 7's)... but you'll never know unless you play, so i'd say go out and join the team!