# The Basic Skills · Rugby Level 1: Beginner

Rugby · Level 1: Beginner · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/rugby/level-1/the-basic-skills/)

The first skills: carrying, passing, catching, running and side-stepping, the tackle, going to ground, kicking, picking up a loose ball and support.

## Test 1: Carrying the ball

- Two hands keep the options to pass or carry. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Two hands keep the defender guessing. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- One-arm carry protects the ball in contact. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Holding it away keeps it out of the tackler's reach. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Two hands give a firm hold. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Losing the ball forward is a knock-on. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The free arm helps balance and fend. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Two hands first, tuck before contact. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The tighter the grip, the safer but fewer options. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Two hands keep both passing options open. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 2: The pass

- A pass must not go forwards. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A pop pass is short and soft. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A spin pass spirals through the air. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Passing into space lets the receiver run onto it. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The follow-through steers the ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- It skips a player to reach space wider out. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A dummy pass fools defenders. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Look, swing, release, follow through. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Short, medium, long. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Passing sideways or backwards is fine. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 3: Catching

- Hands up give the passer a target. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Watching the ball in avoids drops. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Catching early buys time. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Cushioning the ball stops it bouncing out. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Dropping it forward gives the ball away. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Thumbs and forefingers form a W behind the ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Wet weather means more dropped balls. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Target, eyes, reach, secure. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Wet and low balls are harder. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Hands up show where to pass. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 4: Running with the ball

- Running across the field crowds team-mates. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Good lines attack the gaps. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Slowing and accelerating unsettles defenders. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The hand-off or fend keeps the tackler away. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Strong body position keeps possession. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Speed on the catch is hard to stop. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A swerve uses pace and angle. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Speed, line, gap, burst. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Breaks are flat out. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A fend with the open hand is allowed. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 5: The side-step

- The side-step wrong-foots a defender. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A firm plant gives the push-off. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Momentum stops a fast defender turning. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Quick feet before the step set it up. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The goose step changes rhythm to fool a tackler. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Grip matters for sharp changes of direction. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Eyes and shoulders sell the dummy direction. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Approach, plant, push, go. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The faster they come, the easier to step. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Changing direction off one foot is a side-step. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 6: The tackle in its simplest form

- Low tackles are safer for both players. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Head behind, 'cheek to cheek', keeps it safe. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Wrapping holds the carrier. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Same shoulder, head behind. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Watching the target keeps the head safe. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Tackle technique is built step by step. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Held and on the ground: a tackle. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Close, head safe, shoulder, wrap. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- High tackles are dangerous and not allowed. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Head behind, arms wrapped, low target. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 7: Going to ground and presenting the ball

- Placing the ball lets team-mates use it. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Turning on the way down helps the placement. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A long placement protects the ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Holding on stops play. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Body position guards the ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Moving away keeps the ball available. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Good falling prevents injury. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Down, turn, place, clear. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Further back is harder to steal. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The ball is presented back to the team. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 8: The kick from hand

- A punt is kicked out of the hands before landing. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The laces give a clean, long kick. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A grubber bounces through defenders' legs. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Also called a bomb or a Garryowen. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Kicking to touch gains territory. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The kicker or a team-mate chases it. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Kicking is a tool for territory. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Hold, drop, strike, follow. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Along the ground, over the line, high in the air. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A grubber goes along the ground. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 9: Picking up a loose ball

- Bending the knees keeps balance and control. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A low body is stable in contact. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Falling on the ball wins it safely. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The back protects the ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A loose ball is up for grabs. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Picking up at speed is a key skill. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Act fast before defenders arrive. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Arrive, get low, secure, go. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Falling on it is safest; speed adds risk. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Two hands give control. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 10: Supporting the ball-carrier

- Support players take the next pass. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Close support keeps the ball alive. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- In front would be offside; behind and close is right. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Talking tells the carrier where help is. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The offload keeps the ball moving. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Support wins the ruck that follows. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Good supporters never stop running. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Run, talk, catch, go. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Closest support is the first option. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Support close behind keeps the ball alive. (Source: General rugby union reference)

Sources: World Rugby handbooks and coaching material, union and competition records; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered Laws belong to the Laws category.

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