John Winter

Is everything up for grabs when it comes to tackling in rugby? Can you grab shirts in rugby to slow your opponents down or stop them in their tracks? Grabbing shirts used to be more common, as defenders desperately tried to make a last-ditch tackle. Why does it seem to have disappeared from the sport? … Read more

Are players allowed to grab the ball in rugby from their opponent’s hands? Yes, in many circumstances, but it’s often not a good defensive tactic. But when it works, it can be spectacularly effective (we’ll show you an example). You’ll also see plenty of times in a rugby match where defenders are staring at the … Read more

Can you push in rugby in open play? Forget about scrums and mauls, can you give a good shove to an opponent rushing past you with the ball? Youngsters playing rugby in the garden will push and shove each other with gusto. But you don’t see it very often in a match. Does that mean … Read more

Can you block in rugby as players can in American Football? Rugby Union has several laws that prohibit blocking or running interference. Blocking is a penalty offense. However, the laws also allow onside players to hold their position or running line. In other words, players don’t have to get out of the way of their … Read more

When you watch a few rugby matches, you’ll notice that defenders sometimes jump with their arms stretched out to block a kick. But it doesn’t happen very often. Is it foul play in some scenarios? This article looks at when you can or can’t block a kick in rugby. We’re focusing on kicks in open … Read more

The laws of Rugby Union were changed to prevent players from blocking penalty kicks by jumping under the crossbar. There was a fun period of a few years when defending players did this both successfully and unsuccessfully.  Are there any circumstances in which you can block a penalty kick in rugby? We’ll run through the … Read more

The laws in Rugby Union have changed around attempts to block a conversion. But blocking is still allowed as long as you don’t use certain techniques. There are also some circumstances in which you aren’t allowed to block a conversion. This article covers what you can and can’t do. Can You Block A Conversion In … Read more