How to communicate in rugby?

Question

I recently joined a local rugby club. I am not as tough and solidly built as all the other guys, but I still want to play and will try my best and also try not to get too hurt. But these blokes seem a bit vague (maybe cause they have been playing all year and I have almost never played) So they were not too welcoming that I was there, but still I joined in the practice and nobody chased me away.

My problem was that during practice the only thing guys kept yelling at me was to "communicate" ,"talk" with the other guys.

So since I am still trying to get my bearings and even figure what the h**l kind of practice we were doing, this added to the confusion, so anyone have advice on how to communicate?

Thanks, and by the way I will go to practice again, even if everyone rolls their eyes when they see me show up... but a bit of info and help would be greatly appreciated to make things easier for me. thanks

Answer 1

Firstly, there are many clubs out there find a friendly one not one full of grumpy never has beens. who aren't willing to give you the time of day. My advice would be to look through the local clubs and find one that plays in the lowest league there is, learn your trade for a season an progress from there if you feel you want to.

Back to the answer........when players say talk to each other they are basically asking to be told who is running in support ge "dave pass left, or pop right depending where you are in relation to the ball carrier. Or if you get caught up in a maul let your team know where the ball is if its in your hands or on the ground. Similarly if you see the ball leave a ruck, maul or set piece shout 'ball gone!' so your team knows when to stop pushing and start running.

Obvious really.......

Answer 2

Remember the following:

With you left or With you right - This lets the ball carrier know where he has support.  And you are calling his reference not yours so if he is to your left calling With you right as you follow.  Also don't just say it once, let him now frequently as he is probably not as aware of your position until he feels the need to look for help.

When the ball is in a ruck or maul or a scrum the moment you see the ball back in play _BALLS OUT!!!! so your teammates in the pile know to regroup and get down the field.

Stripping! - Tells your ball carrier up against a maul ( a wall of defendes) that you are going to take posession forcefully from him.  (He will be holding the ball tight to prevent an opposing player from stripping)  

There are others but this is most common, when you develop organized plays the scrum half will call out commands but for know enjoy the greatest sport ever played.  Oh and Remember what happens on the field stays there and Sunday will be a painful achy day.

Answer 3

As you get more comfortable playing, communicating comes more naturally.  But in almost any situation on the pitch,  there is something you could/should be saying.  Like these other guys are saying,  you should definitely know the ball-carrier know when you are with them.  Saying things like "with you left",  "on your right" etc. are key - and you should definitely let them know if you're coming "late/deep" or "shallow".  If your team is losing a scrum/ruck/maul that you are not committed to,  get ready on defense in a flat line.  On our team at this point, we all start yelling "ready" so that everyone gets in the flat line and then yell "in" or "ball's out" when the ball comes out so everyone knows to rush forward.  

It's also important to call out when you're in support of a ball-carrier who's taking it in to a tackle.  Keep yelling "with you" and when your in a position to ruck over them yell "go down" and give them a rough push to the ground if necessary.  You shouldn't tell them to go down until you're already rucking over.  Likewise you might want to yell for them to turn and call the ball if you're going to strip it.  

I really admire your enthusiasm; it sounds like you are really going to stick with it.  I hope this helps.  

Also if you're still struggling with the rules,  as most people do in this sport for much of their first season,  be sure to read a rookie primer and watch as much as you can (even if it's just videos online).  Good luck.

A basic rookie primer: http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~radrugby/roo...

Answer 4

Just use some special language for ex. for throwing say throway throawy

Answer 5

If you are left from the guy and open  then yell"leeeeeft!!!!" and the same for right, at least until you memorize their names.

Answer 6

you just gotta make sure your team know where you are. when the other team have the ball you've got to let them know who your covering and when your team has the ball you've got to let them know if your in support and where you are. shout.