VOCABULARY L-W
Lob pass
A high pass that gracefully loops over the heads of the gawping opposition.
Loitering
When a player loiters offside with intent of the opposition making a mistake so that he might score a glory breakaway try.
Loop
A player runs around his teammate with the intention of a pass back to him.
Man-on-man defence
An attacker takes on the man directly opposite him in a defence move.
Mark
A defending player catches the ball from an oppositions kick (but not kick off) and shouts ‘mark’. He gets a free kick.
Offload
A player throws/passes (offloads) the ball at the moment he is tackled by another player.
Pick-and-go
Following a tackle and the ball is on the ground a player picks the ball and runs forward on attack.
Punt kick
Unlike the drop kick the ball is kicked before it hits the ground and a much easier kick to execute. Usually the Fly-Half, Scrum-Half or Fullback will take most of the punt kicks.
Pushover try
During a Scrum when the attacking team successfully push their opposition backwards over the try line to score.
Restart
A kick to restart play either after points have been scored or at the beginning of the second half of play.
Scissors pass
A pass involving a quick change of direction. The teammate waiting for the ball will cut behind the player passing the ball who pivots to pass. Aimed to confuse the opposition.
Screw punt
A punt kick which twists in the air to go further.
Shove
During a scrum when the attacking team use all their might to push the opposition backwards.
Side-on tackle
A tackle made from the side a player runs through two players of the opposition.
Sidestep
Same as a dodge. A player steps to one side to avoid a Tackle.
Sin bin
The rugby equivalent of the naughty step. Where players are sent to cool their heels for 10 minutes after repeated pushing of the rules before breaking.
Spiral pass
A player puts spin on the ball to make it go faster and further.
Stationary tackle
A player in possession of the ball runs straight at a stationery defender. The defender holds on tightly to the ball carrier and uses their own momentum against them, causing the ball carrier to topple forwards.
Stiff arm tackle
An attacker uses their straight arm to stop the opposition. Can be a nasty move.
Swerve
The player in possession of the ball waits for the opposition to commit to their tackle and then swerves at the last minute.
Throw-in
When a Hooker throws the ball into the Lineout.
Wheel
When a scrum rotates in either direction by more than 90 degrees.
Willie away
A player executes a perfect peel away from a lineout to receive the ball. Named after Wilson Whineray, captain of the All Blacks in the 1960s.
Wooden spoon
A team that loses all of its games in the Six Nations Championship gets the wooden spoon.