Rugby · Level 1: Beginner · Sub-level 1.3
The Basic Skills
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
The first skills of rugby are the ones every player uses, whatever the position. A carrier holds the ball in two hands to keep the options of passing or running and keep the defender guessing, then tucks it under one arm before contact to protect it. Dropping the ball forward is a knock-on. A pass must not go forwards, but sideways or backwards is fine, and it can be a short, soft pop pass or a spin pass that spirals through the air. Catchers show their hands as a target, form a W with thumbs and forefingers behind the ball and watch it in.
With the ball, good running lines attack the gaps, and changes of pace, the swerve and the side-step, a change of direction off one foot, beat defenders, with an open-handed fend to keep a tackler away. The safe tackle is low, with the head behind and to the side of the carrier and the arms wrapped; high tackles are dangerous and not allowed. A tackled player places the ball back towards team-mates, and support players run close behind the carrier, never in front, to take the next pass or win the ruck.
The facts below cover carrying, passing, catching, running and the side-step, the tackle, going to ground, kicking from hand, picking up a loose ball and support.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1Carrying the ballTake a test
Two hands keep the options to pass or carry.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Two hands keep the defender guessing.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
One-arm carry protects the ball in contact.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Holding it away keeps it out of the tackler's reach.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Two hands give a firm hold.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Losing the ball forward is a knock-on.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The free arm helps balance and fend.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Two hands first, tuck before contact.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
The tighter the grip, the safer but fewer options.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Two hands keep both passing options open.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 2The passTake a test
A pass must not go forwards.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A pop pass is short and soft.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A spin pass spirals through the air.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Passing into space lets the receiver run onto it.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The follow-through steers the ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
It skips a player to reach space wider out.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A dummy pass fools defenders.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Look, swing, release, follow through.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Short, medium, long.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Passing sideways or backwards is fine.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 3CatchingTake a test
Hands up give the passer a target.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Watching the ball in avoids drops.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Catching early buys time.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Cushioning the ball stops it bouncing out.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Dropping it forward gives the ball away.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Thumbs and forefingers form a W behind the ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Wet weather means more dropped balls.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Target, eyes, reach, secure.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Wet and low balls are harder.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Hands up show where to pass.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 4Running with the ballTake a test
Running across the field crowds team-mates.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Good lines attack the gaps.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Slowing and accelerating unsettles defenders.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The hand-off or fend keeps the tackler away.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Strong body position keeps possession.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Speed on the catch is hard to stop.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A swerve uses pace and angle.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Speed, line, gap, burst.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Breaks are flat out.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
A fend with the open hand is allowed.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 5The side-stepTake a test
The side-step wrong-foots a defender.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A firm plant gives the push-off.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Momentum stops a fast defender turning.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Quick feet before the step set it up.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The goose step changes rhythm to fool a tackler.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Grip matters for sharp changes of direction.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Eyes and shoulders sell the dummy direction.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Approach, plant, push, go.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
The faster they come, the easier to step.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Changing direction off one foot is a side-step.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 6The tackle in its simplest formTake a test
Low tackles are safer for both players.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Head behind, 'cheek to cheek', keeps it safe.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Wrapping holds the carrier.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Same shoulder, head behind.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Watching the target keeps the head safe.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Tackle technique is built step by step.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Held and on the ground: a tackle.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Close, head safe, shoulder, wrap.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
High tackles are dangerous and not allowed.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Head behind, arms wrapped, low target.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 7Going to ground and presenting the ballTake a test
Placing the ball lets team-mates use it.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Turning on the way down helps the placement.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A long placement protects the ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Holding on stops play.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Body position guards the ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Moving away keeps the ball available.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Good falling prevents injury.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Down, turn, place, clear.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Further back is harder to steal.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
The ball is presented back to the team.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 8The kick from handTake a test
A punt is kicked out of the hands before landing.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The laces give a clean, long kick.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A grubber bounces through defenders' legs.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Also called a bomb or a Garryowen.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Kicking to touch gains territory.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The kicker or a team-mate chases it.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Kicking is a tool for territory.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Hold, drop, strike, follow.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Along the ground, over the line, high in the air.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
A grubber goes along the ground.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 9Picking up a loose ballTake a test
Bending the knees keeps balance and control.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A low body is stable in contact.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Falling on the ball wins it safely.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The back protects the ball.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
A loose ball is up for grabs.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Picking up at speed is a key skill.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Act fast before defenders arrive.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Arrive, get low, secure, go.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Falling on it is safest; speed adds risk.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Two hands give control.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 10Supporting the ball-carrierTake a test
Support players take the next pass.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Close support keeps the ball alive.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
In front would be offside; behind and close is right.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Talking tells the carrier where help is.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
The offload keeps the ball moving.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Support wins the ruck that follows.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Good supporters never stop running.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Run, talk, catch, go.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Closest support is the first option.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Support close behind keeps the ball alive.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Questions people ask
- How should you hold a rugby ball when running?
- In two hands while there is a chance to pass, which keeps both passing options open. Before contact, tuck it under one arm so it is out of the tackler's reach.
- What is a knock-on?
- A knock-on is losing or dropping the ball forward. It gives the ball away.
- How do you tackle safely in rugby?
- Get close, keep the head behind the carrier, cheek to cheek, make contact with the same shoulder and wrap the arms. Low tackles are safer for both players.
- What is a side-step?
- A side-step is a change of direction off one foot that wrong-foots a defender. A firm plant gives the push-off, and the faster the defender comes, the easier it is to step.
- What should you do after being tackled?
- Turn on the way down and place the ball back towards your team so team-mates can use it. Holding on to it stops play.
- What is a grubber kick?
- A grubber is a kick along the ground that bounces through defenders' legs. A punt, by contrast, is kicked out of the hands before the ball lands.
- Where should support runners be?
- Close behind the ball-carrier, talking so the carrier knows where help is. A supporter in front of the carrier would be offside.
Sources
World Rugby handbooks and coaching material, union and competition records; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered Laws belong to the Laws category.
- General rugby union reference100