Positions and Descriptions for 9 a side Rugby   Forwards   The 2 props and hooker are described as forwards. Forwards are the ball winners, they will typically contest for the ball at scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls.   Rucks are when 3 or more players are contesting for a ball that is on the ground by pushing the opposition towards there own goal line allowing for the scrum half to pick up the ball.   Mauls are when 3 or more players are contesting for a ball that is held by a player. The ball can be won by ripping the ball off an opponent or there own player and passing it to the scrum half   Hookers typically throw the ball into the line out and hook the ball back with there feet at a scrum. (Famous Hooker – Keith Woods, Ireland)   Props will catch the ball in the lineout and support the hooker on each side at a scrum  (Famous prop – Jason Leonard - England)   Forwards need to have good endurance fitness and upper body strength to get from breakdown to breakdown (ruck or maul) and then contest for the ball.   Backs.   The rest of the team are described as backs.   Scrum half is the link between the forwards and backs. They will receive the ball from the lineout, scrum, ruck or maul and decide whether to attack around the side of the breakdown or more often pass the ball usually to the fly half. The scrum half also needs good endurance, good passing skills, tactically aware and have good leadership skills to encourage his forwards. (Famous Scrum Half-Gareth Edwards – Wales)   Fly half is typically the play maker spot weaknesses in the defence and calling attacking moves to exploit. He has the option of attacking himself, passing out to the inside centre or inside to a forward or blind side winger. The fly half must be tactical aware, quick and good ball skills (catching and passing). (Famous Fly Half, Jonny Wilkinson - England)   Usually the scrum half and fly half are the brains of the team who dictate the way the team plays.   Inside centre will stand one out from the fly half, he can attack gaps in the defence or pass on to the outside centre. In senior rugby the inside is typically a strong straight runner who will try to run through defences attracting many defenders and then looking to pass out the tackle to a team mate. The inside centre needs to be quick and have good ball handling skills. (Famous Inside Centre, Will Carling – England)   Outside centre will stand one out from the inside centre, to can attack gaps in the defence or pass on to the winger. Outside centres usually more subtle in breaking defence using speed and good footwork to get past defenders. This position along with wingers utilises the quickest children where they have more space use there pace. Good ball handling skills, good agility and speed is required for this position. (Famous Outside Centre – Brian O'Driscoll – Ireland)   Wingers will receive passes usually from the outside centre, scrum half or fly half. They will be looking to find space for them to utilise there pace to beat defences. (Famous Wingers, Ieuan Evans - Wales)   As the game progresses through many phases (each phase concludes with a ruck or maul) players will be forced out of position. It is important that each player can competently fulfill each role on the pitch whether it is a winger driving at a ruck or a prop receiving the ball at the fly half position.   Defence   Unlike soccer the whole team will be attacking if they have the ball or defending if they don't have the ball. When defending it is important that the team organises itself so no big gaps are available for the opposition to attack, then equally important every player must be able to tackle. If the defending team is aggressive in the tackle, ruck and maul areas it is likely they could win possession of the ball.   Key skills & Attribute for Rugby   Ball Handling skills (catching and passing) Decision making and anticipation Rucking Mauling Tackling Speed Agility Endurance (Fitness)