Taking a Rugby Penalty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Taking a Rugby Penalty - Essay Example ("Penalty") A penalty is identified if the referee blows the whistle and raises an arm in the direction of the team to whom the penalty has been awarded. Then, the team captain has to make a decision of what to do to the ball that is already in their possession. If the captain chooses to kick a goal, the kicker places the ball on the spot where the penalty occurred, or anywhere on a direct line behind it, just like a conversion. Unlike a conversion, the defending team is not allowed to rush the kicker at any time while a penalty kick is being attempted. If the penalty kick has been successful, it is worth three points. ("Understanding") The penalized team must retreat or move back ten metres away while the team that was awarded with the penalty must restart the game. With the ball now in their possession, the team captain must decide what to do with the ball. He will then have to choose from the following choices: A tap penalty. This move is often taken quickly to exploit lack of organisation in the opposition's retreating defence. It is where a player drops the ball onto his foot and kicks it up into his arms and then carries the ball forward. ("Penalty") A kick to touch. The side with the penalty gets the throw-in to the resultant line-out, from which they have a good chance of securing possession. This is used mainly to gain territory though it is also used as a tactic to gain a platform for a rolling maul near the opponents try line and muscle over for a score. ("Penalty") A kick at goal. The kick at goal is usually taken off the ground from a sand or plastic tee (though it is possible to drop kick the ball). If it is successful, they score three points, and the opposition restarts from the centre line. If the penalty is missed, a 22 metre drop-out is awarded to the opposition. ("Penalty") A scrum. A team may opt to have a scrum. This would normally be taken if an attacking team wished to have all the defensive forwards tied up in one place allowing the backs the luxury of a one on one confrontation. Alternatively, if a team has ascendancy in the scrums they may try for a pushover try, which may result in the award of a penalty try if the scrums are deliberately collapsed by the defending side. ("Penalty") Rugby Players' Decision-Making The players' decision-making before taking penalties in rugby entails too much pressure for them. One wrong decision - that is one wrong choice from the options stated above - may cost the team the game. Decision-making is the most difficult task the coaches are face over the years. The difficulties in trying to get players to take the best option in taking penalties involve enough time and effort for both parties. Both strategic decisions regarding what kind of game plan to follow or when is would be the different moves appropriately