Team Sports III. Rugby

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

• 4. Quality education
• 5. Gender equality

Objectives

According to legend, the city of Rugby in 1823 is credited as the birthplace of rugby. During a football match, William Webb Ellis, defying the established rules, picked up the ball and ran towards the opposing goal. This act of rebellion marked the inception of rugby as a dynamic contact sport demanding collective effort and proficient ball-handling skills. Rugby transcends mere sport, embodying a way of life and instilling values of resilience, hard work, and loyalty.

As an inclusive sport, rugby holds significant educational and social value. By understanding its essence, including its human and social aspects, students will be equipped to integrate rugby into their academic and recreational pursuits.

This course aims to familiarise students with the sport and its cultural and educational dimensions, fostering active participation and facilitating the acquisition of essential skills and knowledge. Additionally, the course seeks to ignite genuine interest in rugby and provide foundational skills and knowledge through classroom instruction of basic technical and tactical structures.

Learning outcomes

Under review. Pending publication

Content

1. Introduction to rugby
   • Origin, history, culture, and evolution of rugby
     • Explore the historical development of rugby from its inception to its modern-day form.
     • Understand the cultural significance and global spread of the sport.
   • Philosophical aspects of sports
     • Discuss the values and ethics inherent in rugby.
     • Examine how rugby can teach life skills such as teamwork, respect, and perseverance.
2. Formal game structure
   • Fundamentals of the laws of the game
     • Learn the basic rules and regulations that govern rugby.
     • Study the roles and responsibilities of players within a team.
3. Functional approach to the game structure
   • Principles of the game
     • Understand the core principles that underpin rugby gameplay.
     • Analyse the importance of strategy and decision-making on the field.
   • Individual technical and tactical foundations
     • Develop individual skills such as passing, catching, kicking, and tackling.
     • Learn individual tactical concepts such as positioning and movement without the ball.
   • Team technical and tactical foundations
     • Study team strategies and how to coordinate with teammates effectively.
     • Practice team formations and plays, focusing on offensive and defensive tactics.

Evaluation

Assessment plays a crucial role in promoting high-level learning by allowing students to demonstrate their achievement of learning outcomes and meet the required standards of the program. It serves as both evidence of learning and an integral part of a high-quality student learning experience.

Formative assessment will be conducted for students who actively participate in the course, submitting assignments and successfully completing module activities. Attending at least 75% of the classes is the minimum requirement to access formative assessment.

To pass the module, students must achieve a minimum of 50% in each assessment component of the written exam, the "Laws of the game" exam, and the practical tests. The overall grade or mark for the module will be determined on predefined assessment criteria, considering the weightage assigned to each component. Should a student fail any component initially, they will have the opportunity for reassessment, if feasible. Reassessment will be provided exclusively for the failed components.

Assessment components

• Written exam: 20% of the grade; recoverable activity
• Laws of the game tests: 20% of the grade (signals test 8% + multiple choice test 12%); recoverable activity
• Practical exam (three games): 30% of the grade (group game 7% + class game 11% + tournament game 12%); non-recoverable activities
• Analytical practical test: 10%; recoverable activity
• Edpuzzle: 15% (5 activities); non-recoverable activities
• World rugby laws test: 5%; non-recoverable activity

Please note that the weights provided for each assessment component contribute to the overall grade or mark for the module, reflecting the respective percentages.

Important considerations

Injured students: In the case of injured students, they will be awarded half the attendance credit for their participation.

Rugby team participation: Active participation in the university's rugby team throughout the semester can earn students an additional point towards their overall subject grade or validate the laws of the game's exam.

Additionally, for every two practices attended with the rugby team, students will receive one attendance credit.

Extra points for improvement: Students have the opportunity to earn extra points to enhance their marks or grades. For more information on earning extra points, students are advised to consult with the lecturer or instructor.

Methodology

The majority of classes will be conducted on the pitch, combining theoretical instruction with immediate practical application to enhance comprehension. However, certain sessions may be exclusively theoretical or practical in nature, varying throughout the course.

Students are encouraged to adopt an active and engaged approach to their learning journey, which includes proactive reading and preparation ahead of each session.

Bibliography

Key references

• Buzón Hoyos, Alejandro (2008). Playing rugby : [propuestas didácticas de rugby para la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria]. Wanceulen.
• Collins, Tony (2016). The oval world : a global history of rugby. Bloomsbury Sport.
• New Zealand Rugby Union (2002). Rugby skills & drills manual. New Zealand Rugby Union.
• Pook, Paul (2012). Complete conditioning for rugby. Human Kinetics.
• Timón Benítez, Luis Manuel, coord.; Hormigo Gamarro, Fran, coord. (2010). El Rugby como contenido en la educación física escolar : juegos y actividades con implicación cognitiva para su desarrollo. Wanceulen.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.