The Black Hawk Dance

Rugby is a very dangerous sport but can be very fun to play if played right.  There are 14 players on a side for each team during the game.  This sport is played on a 110  meter field (121 yards).  Rugby also has a 22 meter line just like the 20 yard line in football.  For rugby the 22 meter line is consider the red zone just like our 20 yard line.  The ball is a little bigger than a football but has no laces.  Rugby also features many soccer rules to, like there a red and yellow cards handed out during the game.  Red means kicked out of the game and usually comes with a suspension.  Rugby players usually get in a fight or doing something really dumb to get this kind of plenty.  The yellow card means a foul for maybe pushing or tripping but not deserving a red card.  The yellow card can become as bad as a red card if you get two in a game or two in the season.  That will result in missing a game.  There are also plenty kicks.  The kicker will try to kick the ball between a 5 foot goalpost or just try to get is players the ball depending on the spot.  Another thing about rugby is the ball always has to travel backwards in a spiral motion.  The only way it can move forward is by kicking it or running with it.  Throw in's in rugby are just like soccer throw in's expect you use your hand's to catch.  Another thing about them is Rugby players can go on top of there teammates shoulders to catch the ball.  Many people see men with shoulder's locked together and moving around, but don't know what this is called. This is called a scrum.  The captain will toss the ball into the scrum and the players that are locked in the scrum will try to move the ball back to the captain who's on the back side of the scrum with there feet.  Some interesting facts are that the numbers only go up to 22 because that's the amount of rugby players can be on a team.  Also England does not where the number 13 because a rugby player died in that number so they honor this person still today.  To get the game started there will be a kickoff from the 22 meter line.  The ball usually travels a least 10 meters usually a bit more.  In rugby there are half's not quarterer's and the half's are 45 minutes long with a twenty minute break.  There also is stoppage time when the 45 minutes are up, this is for celebration or injures.  Rugby is very intense and fun to watch, but can be for joyful if played.