Rugby Sevens

Introduction

Rugby sevens is a variation of the sport rugby union. In rugby sevens, the teams are made up of seven players each side instead of 15 players in each team. The second major difference is that the game is divided in to two halves of seven minutes whereas in rugby union there are two forty minutes halves in which the game is distributed. The sport is popular worldwide at all levels with amateur and club tournaments being organized in the summers.

The global governing body of sevens is World Rugby which is also the official body of Rugby Union worldwide. The sport is played under the same laws and same field dimensions as that of rugby union with few exceptions mentioned above. Rugby sevens was developed in Scotland in the late 1800s in Mierose. It further gained more popularity with the origin of Hong Kong Sevens in the 1970s, and more recently the sport has been added to the Summer Olympics from 2016. This version of game is more relaxing than the former and is often known as “festivals”.

Objective

To score more goals than the opponent team.

History of Rugby Sevens

Year 1883

Sevens rugby was first played at Melrose rugby club situated on the Scottish Borders, on account of an innovative raising support ploy by Ned Haig, a neighbourhood butcher and player. "As it was miserable to consider having a few diversions in a single evening with 15 players on each side, the groups were decreased to seven men," said Ned, who played in a competition gone to by eight groups. Melrose won. Rugby clubs crosswise over Scotland grasped sevens over the coming decades.

Year 1921

Buenos Aires 7s in Argentina turns into the initial sevens competition outside of Scotland, trailed by one south of the outskirt at Percy Park in North Shields.

Year 1968

Hong Kong has its initial sevens competitions: the Bill Raich 7s at the Royal HK Police Rugby Club and the Blarney Stone 7s at the HK Football Club.

Year 1976

The main official Hong Kong 7s competition is played. Business support gets included, including Cathay Pacific and later Hongkong Bank, making ready for what is today known as the world's driving sevens occasion, the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Fiji's physicality and liquid style of play turn into a sign of this stunning exhibition.

Year 1993

The debut World Cup 7s happens at Murrayfield. Britain beat Australia in the finals.

Year 1994

Jonah Lomu of New Zealand blasts on the scene at the Hong Kong 7s, extending the worldwide intrigue of sevens and flagging the introduction of rugby's first universal uber-star.

Year 1999

The IRB World Sevens Series is launched, later turning into the HSBC Sevens World Series. Its important competitions incorporate Hong Kong, Dubai and the Marriott London Sevens.

Year 2009

The International Olympic Committee, meeting in Copenhagen, choosed to introduce rugby sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Events

• Men’s​

• Women’s

Participants

Rugby sevens comprise of two teams of seven players each side. The teams are composed of three forwards and four backs with positions as-

Forwards

• Prop
• Hooker
• Prop

Backs

• Scrum-half
• Fly-half
• Centre
• Wing.

Techniques

Pick Up Ball Drill

From the moment the player touches the ball, it should be held properly.  While picking up the ball do it with a cage grip with fingers forming a cradle beneath and thumbs pressing the ball under the cradle. Regular practice builds confidence.

Handling The Ball

The player should keep the possession of the ball once it is in his/her hands. Handling involves moving the ball around in relation to the body which takes place in the following situations:-

• Positioning the ball while preparing it for attack or kick
• Positioning the ball in a way that the player can run fast and evasively.
• Juggling the ball

Receiving And Controlling A Pass

A ball is moved around a lot in rugby hence being able to catch the ball in different situations is a very important part of the game.

Move With The Ball

In rugby moving with the ball is not just running with it. In fact, one arm will be used to carry the ball. This allows high speed running and a free arm to handle tacklers.

Playing Area

The field measures 100 metres in length and 70 metres in breadth with H-shaped goal posted at each end at the centre of the side of the field.

Officials

Referee

Touch Lines Judges (Two)