Introduction to Rugby

Give rugby a try & find a club near you!

You are curious about rugby and keen to give it a try? You have played rugby before but are new in town and seeking for a club? Rugby is played in more than 50 clubs across Switzerland - so there is a wide range of possibilities for kids, youth or adult rugby. What are you waiting for?

Find a club for you!

Rugby in a nutshell

Whether it’s the World Cup or a local club game: playing rugby satisfies the soul like nothing else. Rugby is a game of passion that’s full of action, excitement, and beauty, as well as unpredictable moments and dramatic resolutions on the field. It can be intimidating for a first-time viewer though.

For all newbies: this is Rugby in a nutshell, explaining key terms, positions, scoring, and the laws (yes, the rugby rules are called “laws”).
of 15-a-side rugby, the most common form of the sport.

Number of players per team: 15 (plus 7 substitutes)
Duration: 2 x 40-minute halves with a mandatory half-time break of 10 minutes
Field: 100 m (length) x 70 m wide with H-shaped goalposts on each goal line. The distance between the goal posts is 5.6 metres with a min. crossbar height of 3.4 metres.
Ball: 1 oval-shaped high tech synthetic waterproof all-weather ball (size 5)
Player kit: Jerseys, socks, shorts, boots and for safety reasons, a mouth guard is essential along with headgear if required by a player.
Referees: A match is played with one referee and two touch judges or assistant referees

Each team of 15 players is divided into eight forwards and seven backs, each with defined roles in the team. Essentially, the powerful, hulking forwards are ball-winners who also play a major part in retaining possession when a player on their side is tackled. They take part in rugby's set pieces – the scrum and the lineout – and secure possession; The fast, elusive backs receive the ball from the forwards – their task is to run and pass to create space.

The objective of the game is to score more points than the opposition. Points are accumulated through scoring a try (five points), a penalty (three points), a drop goal (three points) or a conversion kicks following a try (two points). The attacking team strives to move forward by kicking, passing or running with the ball in hand, but when the ball is being passed, it may not travel forward. If it does then a scrum is awarded to the opposition. Much of the sport's appeal lies in the players' speedy interplay and total commitment.

When a team is defending, they will try to stop the opposition advancing toward their try line by hauling to the ground players who are carrying the ball. If successfully tackled, the player carrying the ball must release it once he or she is on the ground.

History of Rugby

Since 1823 ...

Rugby's roots can be traced back to the sport of football as it was played in English public schools during the 19th century.

The English town “Rugby” gave the sport its name and developed its first set of rules. The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871, and the International Rugby Board — now known as World Rugby — was established in 1886. Today, different types of rugby union are played around the world, rugby (fifteen-a-side) and rugby sevens, with various competitions taking place.

Rugby (15-a-side) was played at the Olympics in Paris 1900, London 1908, Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924 with men's teams only, after which came a long absence until the sport returned in its seven-a-side format at the Rio 2016 Games. A women's competition was also held for the first time in Rio.

Since 1869 ...

Rugby has been played in Switzerland since 1869 – so for more than 150 years!

The Swiss Rugby Federation was founded back in 1972. Its mission is to organize, structure and develop rugby in Switzerland. Today, the Swiss rugby community can rely on 5'000 active players (men, women, youth and kids) in various clubs & academies, offering various formats of the game across Switzerland.

over 53 rugby clubs and academies
more than 5'000 active players & coaches
10 Swiss leagues
11 National teams (junior to senior, men, women)
Multiple national and international games & tournaments

So there is plenty to choose from. What are you waiting for?

Find out more about Rugby in Switzerland

10 good reasons to play

Rugby is many things: apart from bringing physical health benefits, it is also building character. Here are 10 good reasons why you should play the greatest game of all.

1. Having the time of your life
Rugby is more than just a game. It is the pleasure of participating, the courage and skill which the game demands, the love of a team sport that enriches the lives of all involved and the lifelong friendships forged through a shared interest in the game. Rugby is pure fun and excitement, creating memories you will never forget about.

2. Equal Opportunities
Unlike just about any other team sport, rugby is about all players having the same opportunity to run with the ball, pass the ball, play defense, attack, and score.

3. Rugby is for girls too.
For those people who do not know much about rugby, despite the physicality of the sport, rugby is a sport for girls and women too, and a very entertaining one at that. It is an Olympic sport! So, for any girl or woman who wants to find a sport to play, rugby is a magnificent option.

4. Learn valuable life-lessons.
All sports have lessons that can be taken from the field and applied to real life. But rugby has lessons that cannot be found in any other game – we’re not talking about the standard generics of “teamwork” and “playing hard.” We are talking about the preparation for life that can only be found on the rugby pitch. It is hard to believe that what you do on the field can impact what you do in the classroom, at university or at work - but it does.

5. Positive Role Models
It’s quite likely players will discover positive role models in coaches and more experienced players – or become a role model themselves, demonstrating on how to life the game’s core values Integrity, Solidarity, Discipline, Teamwork, Respect and Passion and lead by example.

6. Make lifelong friends.
Rugby is a brotherhood & sisterhood. It is a family with strong bonds which will last forever. Friends made on and next to the pitch will remain friends for life.

7. You will learn to respect others, regardless of their decisions.
The Rugby field has a strong tradition and culture of respect as it is one of the sports’ core values (-> Back-Link to rugby values section) - respect for your teammates, the opposition, fans, and, importantly, the referee. In Rugby referees are still call “Sir” and “Madam” and back chatting is neither the standard nor is it accepted.

8. Everyone is useful somewhere.
In a sport that is most popularly played with 30 people (15 per team) on the field at one time, there is obviously a wide range of positions that need to be played. And each position comes with different physical requirements. Anyone and everyone have a position in rugby that they are best suited for, and everyone can be helpful to the overall team game plan.

9. Rugby is building character
At the heart of rugby is a unique ethos which it has retained over the years. Not only is the game played to the laws, but within the spirit of the laws. Through discipline, control and mutual self-respect, a fellowship and sense of fair play are forged, defining rugby as the game it is.

10. Rugby is safe
Safety First: The most crucial thing to know is that player welfare is of primary importance to the organizations that govern the sport. No other sport has changed the laws of the game as frequently as rugby and solely for the purpose of protecting the safety of its athletes.

Are you ready to give it a TRY?

VIDEO

Intro to Rugby

For all newbies: Here you will see what we just explained above. This video will put key terms of Rugby, set pieces, scoring and the core values of the game into action.

Watch the Video

Beyond the basics

START TALKING RUGBY

The pace and power of modern Rugby have made it one of the most exciting spectator sports around. Indeed, several aspects of the Game have evolved as a result of this mass audience appeal.

It’s simple... but complex!

To get you on the right track early, here are the most important parts of rugby to familiarize yourself with before watching a match or joining your first training.

SCRUM

The Scrum is a contest for the ball involving eight players who bind together and push against the other team’s assembled eight for possession of the ball. The ball is thrown into the middle of the tunnel between the two front rows, at which point the two hookers can compete for the ball, attempting to hook the ball back in the direction of their team mates. Scrums restart play after certain minor infractions.

LINEOUT

Looks somewhat like a jump-ball in basketball, with both teams lining up opposite each other, but one team then throws the ball down the middle of the tunnel. The lineout is a means of restarting play after the ball has gone into touch (off the field of play at the side). The lineout concentrates a selection of forwards in one place near to the touch line, so the backs have the rest of the width of the field in which to mount an attack. The key for the forwards is to win possession and distribute the ball effectively to the back line.

RUCK

A ruck is formed if the ball is on the ground and one or more players from each team who are on their feet close around it. Players must not handle the ball in the ruck, and must use their feet to move the ball or drive over it so that it emerges at the team’s hindmost foot, at which point it can be picked up.

MAUL

Occurs when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball-carrier’s teammates bind on the ball-carrier. All the players involved are on their feet and moving toward a goal line. Open play has ended. The team in possession of the ball can attempt to gain territory by driving their opponents back towards the opponents’ goal line. The ball can then be passed backwards between players in the maul and eventually passed to a player who is not in the maul, or a player can leave the maul carrying the ball and run with it.

TRY

The aim of rugby is to touch down the ball behind the goal line located at the opposing team's end of the field (this is called a “try”) and earn 5 points for doing so. This is achieved by running with the ball, passing and kicking it.

TACKLE

The ball-carrier can be brought to ground in a tackle, which must be below should height, and involve both arms of the tackler, wrapped around the opponent. When tackled, the ball-carrier must release the ball, which is then free to be played by others.

KICK

Kicking is a very important rugby skill that can have a huge impact on a match. A team which has no kickers not only misses out on the opportunity to gain valuable points, but are at a disadvantage throughout the whole of a match. There are different kinds of kicks – some gain points, others ground: Kick-off, Penalty kick, Goal kick, Drop kick or kicking for posession (Punt or Grubber Kick, Kick & Chase)

Variations of Rugby

7s Rugby: an Olympic Game

Rugby 7s is played on the same field of play as the fifteen-a-side game. The period of time for sevens matches in Olympic games are 14 minutes, comprised of two seven minutes halves. Despite the shorter halves (compared to 15-a-side), a rugby sevens player has to be incredibly fit, powerful and skilled to compete in both attack and defense at the highest level of the game.
Teams consist of three forwards and four backs, and each team may nominate and use up to five replacements during a game. All players in rugby sevens must be able to run quickly, pass accurately and tackle effectively to bring an opposing runner to the ground.

Aside from the duration, the Laws vary very little from the 15-a-side game, though, of course, because of the amount of space available on the pitch, it is a very different game to watch. Players need to be able to cover a lot of ground during a match. This means that participants need to be incredibly fit and have plenty of speed, skill and stamina.

Number of players per team: 7 (5 substitutions per game)
Duration: 2 x 7-minute halves / half-time break of 2 minutes
Field: 100 m x 70 m wide with H-shaped goalposts on each goal line.
Ball: oval-shaped high tech synthetic waterproof ball (size 5)
Gear: Jerseys, socks, shorts, boots, a mouth guard & headgear (optional)

Rugby rejoined the Olympic programme for Rio 2016™ and Tokyo 2021™

Check out World Rugby Olympic Campaign "This is how we sevens!"

Check out the Swiss 7's National Teams

Kids Rugby

Priority: Having fun in a safe environment

The mission of kids rugby is to foster and develop young players (boys & girls) of all ability in the game of rugby in a safe, and enjoyable environment through activities that ensure progressive skill and character development for all participants in line with the players' pathway and welfare policies and as a foundation for the continued growth of rugby.

Adult rugby rules are modified and may vary for each age group. This will not only allow to focus on the fun part of the game but also provide activities and exercises corresponding to the physical and psychological development stages of kids at different ages.

Kids rugby is played ….

… on smaller fields
… with smaller balls (size 3 or 4)
… for a shorter playing time
… with fewer players
... with simplified rules (scrums & line-outs are introduced step by step and according to age).

Coaches deploy specific training methods developed to run training for kids, focussing to give children an enjoyable fun time!

Find out more about kids rugby

Touch Rugby

Similar to 15-a-side or 7’s rugby, touch rugby is a sport for everyone. Millions of players of all ages, body shape and background already enjoy the sport across the globe. It is one of the rare collective sports that is also played regardless of gender in a mixed competition making Touch extremely popular for every age category.

Players: 14 per team (6 are allowed on the field at any one time)
Subs: Teams may interchange players at any time
Duration: 2 x 20-minute halves / 5-minute half-time break
Field: 70m x 50m (exactly half of a standard Rugby field)
Ball: oval-shaped high tech synthetic waterproof ball (size 4)
Player kit: jerseys, socks, shorts, boots

Touch Rugby is like rugby except there is NO TACKLE. A player can be stopped by being “touched”. A legal touch is on any part of the body, clothing, and ball. A player must claim a touch by raising a hand and shouting, “Touch”. The referee is the sole judge of the touch and has the discretion to overrule a claim. When touched, the player in possession must place the ball on the ground at the exact point beneath them when they were touched. This is known as “The Mark”. Play is re-started when the scrumhalf or dummy-half touches the ball. A try is scored by grounding the ball on, or behind, the try-line. One point is awarded in men’s, women’s, and mixed leagues.

Find out more on Touch Rugby in Switzerland

Beach & Snow Rugby

Beach rugby is a sport that is based also based on rugby union. As an alternative to 7-a-side and 15-a-side Rugby, Beach Rugby is a fun game that be played with a minimal amount of resources and equipment.The game is fast-paced and exciting, but because it is played on sand, there are some differences to the conventional game of Rugby:

Can be played as a 5 or 6-a-side game
All genders, all abilities and all ages welcome
Common to use a size 4 ball
Gear: jersey, shorts, sock (not mandatory) - no footwear!

There is one essential rule for Beach 5s Rugby that everyone must know and keep in mind: the two-second rule. When a ball carrier comes into contact with or is tackled by an opponent, the ball carrier must pass or release the ball within two seconds.This rule simplifies the game, maintains the high speed of the game, and keeps the match lively. It encourages players to be more agile (in their ball handling skills) and quick.Casual games are played across the world using different sets of rules. However, organized leagues use a field that is only a fraction of the size of a standard rugby field, far fewer players on each team, shorter matches, and a simplified scoring system.

Snow rugby refers to forms of rugby union that are especially adapted to be played in winter conditions, particularly deep snow. It is played in Canada, the Kashmir region, the Baltic States, Russia, the northern United States, and Finland. Because of the cold, and often subzero temperatures at which snow rugby is played, players are advised to dress warmly .-)

FAQ's

How can I get involved?

You can get involved as player (maybe a future star?), coach, referee, parent of a player, volunteer or simply as fan!

Rugby is for everyone and you will surely find your place in the rugby family.

Are you travelling? You are taking a sabbatical, or you are simply travelling for work? Knock on any local club’s doors and join a training. This is how it work abroad, and it work the same way in Switzerland.

I want to get involved

What to wear (players kit)?

Before playing Rugby, it’s important to understand the equipment you’ll need.

Firstly, you’ll need a sturdy pair of boots with studs or cleats which are appropriate to the conditions. Newbies can also wear a simple pair of sneakers for their first training though.
It is recommended that you wear a mouth guard to protect the teeth and jaw, and some players choose to wear approved head gear and/or padded equipment, worn under the shirt. The following items make up the gear of a rugby player:

Jerseys
Socks
Shorts
Boots
Mouth guard
Headgear (not mandatory)

Simply pass by at your local club and join a training - players will let you know what to wear and how to get your gear!

Want to join a training?

Why an egg-shaped ball?

Unlike most other ball sports, a rugby ball is oval in shape and traditionally made from hand-stitched leather.

In the early days, balls were made using inflated pigs' bladders and so took on a similar shape.Really, they were more of a plum shape to begin with. Much larger and rounder than they are today. Some people believe the more elongated shape developed because it was more suited to a game like rugby that involved running with the ball as well as kicking it.

Modern technology has seen vast improvements towards high tech synthetic waterproof all-weather rugby balls that make handling easier even in adverse weather conditions.

First training: What do I need to know?

An easy answer: Basically nothing

No prior knowledge is necessary if you want to join a training session. You will learn all the key element of rugby quickly during training. Learning by doing is the best way to get started. And nobody is perfect – the game is full of finesse, so we are all still learning.

Find your local club

Is Rugby dangerous?

Like any sport, rugby isn't without risk.

Rugby is considered to be a contact sport – so you might occasionally end up with some bruises. The risk of injury is considered as comparable to other team sports such as football, handball or ice hockey.

Safety is a priority in rugby. There are a lot of player safety and wellbeing programmes, putting player welfare at the heart of the game and covering how the game should be played and managed to ensure that rugby is as safe as possible. Suisserugby offers medical training courses in its player welfare programme. Many of the rugby coaches in Switzerland have successfully gone through this programme to secure player safety in their local clubs.

Want to learn more about player welfare?

Rugby: a girl’s sport?

Quick and simple answer to that: It is a clear YES!

For those people who do not know much about rugby, despite the physicality of the sport, rugby is a sport for girls too, and a very entertaining one at that. Every weekend across the world, women lace up boots, put on shoulder pads, tape up legs, chuck in gum shields and run, ruck, tackle, maul and scrum – all in the name of rugby. It’s one of the fastest-growing female sports. One of rugby’s attractions is that it’s something new that enables girls and women to break a traditionally patriarchal stereotype, as well as benefiting physically, mentally and socially at the same time.

And it is an Olympic sport! So, for any girl or woman who wants to find a sport to play, rugby is definitely a magnificent option. This quote by a Swiss National Team player explains it all in an easy, understandable way:

"We run around for 80 minutes in shorts, tackle people and get muddy, because it’s something we love doing"

You want to get involved?

How much time do I need to invest?

This really depends on how seriously you will take it.

This really depends on how seriously you will take it.Most rugby clubs train twice a week – each training session is about 90 minutes. The regular championship counts +/- 10 games in average plus possibly two finals (if you are on the winning side). In addition, individual training session, friendly game and other events might take place. If you only want to spend a couple of hours per year on the pitch, you will also find an opportunity to do so.

Check out what local clubs offer

Diversity: Who is welcome?

Diversity is a big thing for the rugby community and we play along the lines: Always welcome!

Whether you are straight, queer, … pink, yellow, or green – it simply does not matter. One of the best and most respected rugby referees is avowedly gay. Who cares? Certainly not the rugby players. Everyone is welcome to the rugby family. Rugby as a sport for all is enshrined in the governance of the game and its administration, including the World Rugby Playing Charter, Bye Laws and Regulations:

“The laws provide players of different physiques, skills, genders and ages with the opportunity to participate at their levels of ability in a controlled, competitive and enjoyable environment … It is through discipline, control and mutual respect that the spirit of the game flourishes … these are the qualities which forge the fellowship and sense of fair play so essential to the game’s ongoing success and survival” - World Rugby Playing Charter

“To prevent discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or groups of people on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason” - Objectives and Functions of World Rugby, Bye-Law 3

“All Unions, Associations, Rugby Bodies, Clubs and Persons shall not do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other Person on the ground of their religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, colour or national or ethnic origin” - World Rugby Regulation 20

Get involved

Languages: Will I be understood?

No worries, we will speak the language of your region.

Rugby is played around the globe - and for decades in the former Commonwealth countries and in France. Accordingly, players, coaches and referees from these countries are often active in Swiss clubs.

When it comes to games between teams from French-speaking Switzerland and the German-speaking part of Switzerland, there is regular linguistic confusion ... but that does not bother anyone. Most of the technical terms are used in English anyway and you will surely sort out the rest. So language is not counted as excuse to NOT rock up at a training.

No excuses anymore? Get involved