• "The secret of joy is the mastery of pain."
    -Ana•s Nin

  • ŅThe only pain in rugby Is regretÓ

  • "Don't be a tippy-toe princess"
    -Mary

  • "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
    - Mario Andretti

  • Remember that without pressure there would be no diamonds!
    -Brandi

    • Mary's rugby words of wisdom (12 points to sum up my 12 year rugby career).

    1. If the ball is in range, so are you.
    2. Forwards always have the right of way, unless they are on the other team.
    3. Don't look like a new player, it only draws unwanted attention on the field.
    4. There is always a way to score! However, the easy way is almost always defended by a very fast, hard hitting fullback.
    5. Try to look unimportant so the other team ignores you, then attack when they have forgotten you.
    6. Veteran players are always predictable -- it's the rookies that are dangerous.
    7. The other team invariably attacks on two occasions: a. when you're ready for them. b. when you're not ready for them.
    8. Teamwork in rugby is essential, it gives the other team someone else to tackle.
    9. The other teamÕs sneakiness that you have been ignoring will eventually be the main attack.
    10. Never talk smack on the field unless you can back it up, because you will irritate everyone around you.
    11. Never go one-on-one scrum with anyone braver than yourself.
    12. When in doubt, run forward very fast.

    TEN COMMANDMENTS OF ATTACKING RUGBY



    1. POSITION YOURSELF QUICKLY AND PURPOSEFULLY. You gain the advantage of an overload by getting to position quickly Š both on offense and defense.

    2. EVERYONE MOVES AS THE SCRUMHALF TOUCHES THE BALL. This slows the defense by running HARD at them. For LINEOUTS, run hard when the ball is tapped.

    3. PASS TO SUIT THE SITUATION. Pass the ball so your teammate can catch it!

    4. PASS THEN SUPPORT. Too many of us try to pass and support at the same time. Or, most of us just pass and donÕt support!

    5. SUPPORT THE RECEIVER. If you pass the ball to a teammate, itÕs YOUR job to support her.

    6. DONÕT RISK BALL SECURITY FOR INSIGNIFICANT YARDAGE. DonÕt pass the ball to an open field or a player standing still. You probably can get more yardage running the ball up yourself.

    7. LOOK FOR AND CREATE SPACE, NOT CONTACT. Creating space DOES NOT mean running backwards or directly across the field! I means running forward with the ball and evading defense.

    8. WHEN OUTSIDE THE BREAKDOWN (TACKLE, RUCK, OR MAUL) Š STAY THERE! DonÕt get sucked in!

    9. RUN ANGLES THAT CREATE THE ADVANTAGE. Run angles to suck in the defense

    10. VARY TYPE AND POINT OF ATTACK. Go weak side, run an 8-man pick, pick & charge, let the scrumhalf run with the ball. The point is to keep the other team guessing.
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