WHY RUGBY?
Did you hear about the sport from a friend or neighbor and want to find out more?
First, you’re in the right spot. Rock Rugby offers programs for boys and girls at the high school level.
If your child is interested in rugby, we have a lot of great “Rugby 101” resources on this website.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Just email us and we’ll be happy to chat with you.
Rugby is the fastest-growing youth sport in the nation. If your athlete is looking for a high-intensity, fun environment to learn skills and strategy; rugby is a great place to start. Don’t worry if your kid has never played Ruby before, most kids here haven’t so your child is not at a disadvantage. A lot of kids have only started in the last year or two, and every year we add more new kids to the program.
MORE INFO: Rugby by the Numbers: USA Rugby
THE LAWS OF THE GAME ARE STRUCTURED TO PROTECT THE PLAYERS
Rugby is a vigorous running and tackling sport, and yet it has considerably fewer serious injuries than many other sports.
Part of the reason lies in the Laws of the Game that help protect the players. Below are some examples to compare with hockey and gridiron football.
No blocking – No offensive player may obstruct any defending player in any manner. This reduces the amount of high-speed contact and contact made on unsuspecting players.
Tackle only the ball carrier – Unlike many other full-contact sports, only the ball carrier may be tackled. Any “late hits” are severely penalized.
No tackling above the line of the shoulders – Absolutely no head-hunting. Any such action can lead to an immediate ejection. This is another serious penalty and is very closely monitored, especially at the high school level.
Tacklers must attempt to wrap their arms – This translates to no “shoulder charge” or “forearm shiver into the chest”, etc. Every tackler must make a bona fide attempt to wrap his arms in the tackle.
Players in the air are protected – Players leaping into the air to catch a kick or a pass may not be tackled until their feet contact the ground.
No dangerous tackles – No ball carrier can be turned “feet up” and driven into the ground. This is another reason for an immediate ejection.
Note that this entry was taken from an article posted to the Shiplake College rugby facebook page and shared by one of our Rock parents.
We feel it sums up beautifully what the sport and the Rock Rugby family means to us.
One of my friends asked “Why do you pay so much money and spend so much time running around for your son to play rugby?” Well I have a confession to make: I don’t pay for my son’s rugby training or his kit, mouthguard or boots. Or even his hundreds of rugby balls.
So, if I am not paying for rugby, what am I paying for?
- I pay for those moments when my boy becomes so tired he feels like quitting but doesn’t.
- I pay for the opportunity that my boy can have and will have to make life-long friendships.
- I pay for the chance that he may have amazing coaches that will teach him that rugby is not just about game plans but about life.
- I pay for my child to learn to be disciplined.
- I pay for my boy to learn to take care of his body.
- I pay for my son to learn to work with others and to be a proud, supportive, kind and respectful team member.
- I pay for my child to learn to deal with disappointment, when he doesn’t get that try he hoped for, or dropped the ball despite having practiced a thousand times, but still gets up and is determined to do his BEST next time…
- I pay for my boy to learn to make and accomplish goals.
- I pay for my son to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to create a champion, and that success does not happen overnight.
- I pay so that my son can be on the pitch instead of in front of a screen…
I could go on but, to be short, I don’t pay for rugby; I pay for the opportunities that rugby provides my child to develop attributes that will serve him well throughout his life, and give him the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen for many years, I think it is a great investment!