Sports & Fitness
Rugby
The ball only goes backwards, so every metre forward is carried into contact
In rugby union the ball can only be passed backwards or sideways, so ground is gained by carrying it into the defence, and contact is the core of the game. How you tackle decides whether you get hurt, with your head to the side, never in front, and that has to be coached. Touch rugby keeps the rules without the collisions. You need boots and a mouthguard.
First stepGo to a coached touch rugby session to learn the backward pass and running lines, and join a club's beginner tackling course only if you want contact.
Barriers
Cost to start
Under $50
Going deep → $50–300
Alone or with people
Needs a fixed group
Effort
Demanding
Without a teacher?
Needs a teacher
One session takes
1–2 hours
Where
A venue
Why people take it up