Absolute newbie

rugbyWannabe

Hi.
I really want to learn to play rugby. Mainly as a social thing and to keep fit but also because I don't actually play a sport yet. I am just over 6 foot and am beginning to build myself up. I don't know much about the game but I have started to enjoy watching it.
Anyone got any tips? What do I need to play the game? Should I join my college team?

Amz

College team is a great place to start, there will be experienced heads there as well as complete beginners. If possible you could probably also join a local team, if you have one. Most clubs are always looking to recruit new players.

Also, if you get a chance to play some tag rugby, either in the spring or summer league, it's a great place to learn some of the basics of rugby i.e. the passing etc. and it's good for fitness too. It's a social thing mainly and a lot of the guys and girls who play are already in clubs so you might find a club through them.

MajorMax

1. Stand in your shower
2. turn on the cold water
3. hit yourself repeatedly in the head
4.repeat until brain damage occurs

Now you are a fully fledged Rugby player:D

rugbyWannabe

amz wrote:

If possible you could probably also join a local team, if you have one.

No local team...will try the college team though next year...

Amz

Cool, but like I said, if you can also get playing tag rugby it would be a great intro. There are leagues all over the place during the summer months and teams always looking for players so keep an eye out for that too.

Welcome to boards, hope you stick around and enjoy the forum.

Tim Robbins

Amz wrote: »

Cool, but like I said, if you can also get playing tag rugby it would be a great intro. There are leagues all over the place during the summer months and teams always looking for players so keep an eye out for that too.

Welcome to boards, hope you stick around and enjoy the forum.

Be warned though, you can get a lot of bad habbits from tag. Basically in proper rugby you have to aim to be hitting a tackle with as much intensity as possible, whether you taking the hit or giving it, in tag you have to make sure you avoid contact at all costs.

I'd just mail your college rugby team and ask them when rugby is and then turn up for training next week. Why wait til next season?

Most teams only have a squad of about 15 - 22 players so they are always looking for new players and most of them have lads who never played rugby before.

The most important thing is saftey, you need to learn how to tack a hit and how to tackle. You are not going to get that from tag.

Most rugby players at the lower levels are from perfect passers or master of the subtle skills of rugby so don't worry about it.

Amz

Oh I wasn't suggesting for one minute it was the perfect introduction to rugby, but it's a way of getting used to passing backwards, lines of running etc. He also says in his original post that he wasnt to play rugby as a social and fitness thing so tag can be good for that.

Definitely go now to your college team though, a lot of teams in college find it hard to maintain numbers after Christmas break etc. so it could be a perfect time to break in. There's usually someone around who can teach you the correct way to fall in a tackle and other safety tips as mentioned.

Tim Robbins

Amz wrote: »

but it's a way of getting used to passing backwards, lines of running etc.

Perhaps. I find at the lower levels of tag, the lines of running are all over the place. But yeah at the higher levels, with a team that knows what they are doing, why not?

He also says in his original post that he wasnt to play rugby as a social and fitness thing so tag can be good for that.

Agreed.

OP, I just mail your college team and enjoy it. No better way to get a bit exercise. Let us know how you get on.

rugbyWannabe

Okay,

Cheers for the responses.

Homer J Simpson

OP,

The college team sounds like the best idea. If you are going to join a club make sure it is one that welcomes new players. A certain Limerick club that I started training with last year didnt make me feel welcome at all,,,actually quite the opposite. From reading other user's posts the Dublin clubs seem to be very welcoming to new players.

If you have a friend who plays for a rugby club maybe go to a few training sessions with them and see how you get on.

Best of luck.

Tim Robbins

Homer J Simpson wrote: »

A certain Limerick club that I started training with last year didnt make me feel welcome at all,,,.

You aren't from Leinster by any chance?

Homer J Simpson

No I'm not so that defo wasnt their reason for not making me feel welcome !!

Oilrig

Homer, your experience is regretted,

Just about every rugby club in the country is crying out for new members

Homer J Simpson

Yes Oilrig I was very dissappointed. I am very good at sport in general however was new to rugby. I am involved in 2 other team sports and generally bond well with all.
I was more than willing to put my body on the line for the club however the complete lack of welcome left a bitter taste in my mouth. I stuck it out for a month however have not gone back to rugby.

My impression beforehand was exactly as you say that clubs are crying out for new players. I certainly adore rugby but alas it may seem my only involvement will be as a supporter.

OP do not let my story affect you. By all means give it a shot.

Best of luck to you.

Oilrig

Homer,

Don't give up. Try another club.

Rugby is 50% mental toughness 50% physical toughness.

Prove you've got the former by trying again.

Report back...

Tim Robbins

Oilrig wrote: »

Homer,

Don't give up. Try another club.

Rugby is 50% mental toughness 50% physical toughness.

Prove you've got the former by trying again.

Report back...

Agree. Just check with another club. Some clubs are well known for taking new comers, John Hayse picked up Rugby at 18 in Bruff and ending up playing for Ireland. Check the club websites for starters.

welish

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Agree. Just check with another club. Some clubs are well known for taking new comers, John Hayse picked up Rugby at 18 in Bruff and ending up playing for Ireland. Check the club websites for starters.

I know how you feel Homer. I play a lot of rugby and ten months ago I came out to Oz for a year to improve my game. I joined a club in Sydney called Randwick and I couldn't believe how badly I was treated. You'd think an 18 year old Irish lad who came out solely to play with the club would be helped out but I was ignored completely. I was very close to giving it all up but I stuck it out for six weeks and the aussies seemed to respect me for it. So they warmed to me as such and in no time I was starting with the u-19s and having a lot of fun. Made a few great mates at the club and had plenty of sessions so I reckon you should give it another shot, perseverance really does work.

Luckycharm

welish wrote: »

I know how you feel Homer. I play a lot of rugby and ten months ago I came out to Oz for a year to improve my game. I joined a club in Sydney called Randwick and I couldn't believe how badly I was treated. You'd think an 18 year old Irish lad who came out solely to play with the club would be helped out but I was ignored completely. I was very close to giving it all up but I stuck it out for six weeks and the aussies seemed to respect me for it. So they warmed to me as such and in no time I was starting with the u-19s and having a lot of fun. Made a few great mates at the club and had plenty of sessions so I reckon you should give it another shot, perseverance really does work.

Yep I remember when I was in OZ I went up to Sydney uni and they were telling me I needed to train at least 4 times a week!! So ended up playing for Drumoyne Dirty Reds and loved it - plenty of other irish at the club.

OP - what college are you going to- UCD i know treat every team below under 20s 1st and J1s pretty badly. As in another post play some tag you can play all year around by the way!! It will give you the basics of passing, running lines etc just as an intro. Then I would generally join a club that does not say a feeder school for example so everyone is generally in the same boat when they join and there are no cliques.

daveirl

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