When looping in Rugby, which hip do you pass the ball off of? Inside or outside?

Question

When a player loops around in rugby to overload a side, to which side does the thrower pop the ball? I think it is the side where the receiver is running -to-, but others have said it is to the side the runner is coming -from- (which I think is awkward and would cause obstructions).

This video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTFtaXlMarI

Seems to support my idea that it's the outside hip.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

It depends...at my team, we're taught to do so from towards the direction of the runner, cause then its more accurate

But at higher levels, or for more closely planned moves you could do it towards the outside, but this is risky as you may mistime it and the ball could be fumbled/turned over

(replying to the guy beneath)

Its not obstruction, because the passer had the ball. He's allowed to continue his run, just not deliberatly impede defenders to protect the reciever (after passing). Like a way a switch isn't obstruction.

Answer 2

my experience is that the ball is passed from the side where they are running from.This allows the looping player to see the ball the whole time and not have it pop up from 'nowhere'.

It also allows a late switch play back on the angle if the defence slides too far.

Answer 3

if you do it facing towards your team mate so that they have a better view of the ball and when they're receiving the pass

Answer 4

Professionally it's to the outside. and the reason for this is so you can get away with a manouvre which is normally known as an obstruction, and is actually illegal. It's where a player blocks his team mate from tackles by standing in front of him/her. This manouvre is however allowed if your passing. Although tricky to learn, it is a useful technique. I prefer the inside myself =p.

Hope this helps

Answer 5

outside, otherwise youll be turning across your body, reducing the speed of the offload and you might get hit and spill the ball

Answer 6

he holds the ball on his outside because he wants the dline to anticipate the ball moving back towards the middle of the field and then he hits the wrap man wit  the ball

Answer 7

the outside

Answer 8

A good backline should be able to do it in either direction.  You may be planning on an overlap - going out, but a breakdown causes an opening on the inside, so you should be able to switch it up and go for the gap.