An Overview Of Rugby Equipment

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Rugby Ball

There is not an extensive range of rugby equipment necessary to play the game. In terms of what you wear, a few basics will do the job. You'll probably want to invest the most money in your shoes or boots, since they provide the primary support that allows you to move while at the same time protecting your feet and ankles.


There is a subtle difference between practice gear and that used in tournament play, and the playing level you're currently at will determine what you invest in. For practice among scholastic teams and amateur groups, one gets by quite nicely with a sturdy pair of soccer cleats, shorts, long-sleeve shirts or jerseys, a mouthpiece, maybe some shoulder pads, and if necessary, some form of headgear.

Professional players go further with genuine rugby boots and rugby shirts, which are more specifically designed for the playing field. At the highest level, low-cut or high-top boots are split into groups for soft or hard ground, and some have interchangeable metal stubs for adapting to changing field conditions. True rugby shirts are tougher versions of polo shirts or jerseys with collars, often decorated with a team's logo and specific colors.

There are a number of web sites online that provide quality rugby gear and sound advice, taking some of the guesswork out of making purchases. There are many excellent resources available to purchase your apparel, accessories, and training supplies from, especially online.

Speaking of the Internet, news and detailed analysis of Cup play is well-covered by several official sites, like the European Rugby Cup, the Rugby World Cup, and ESPN's site Scrum.

One could say that training for rugby requires strength training as well, as much of the sport demands physical strength amongst all members of a single team. Because of this, some form of strength training is necessary to protect your body from injury and unnecessary strain during a maul or scrum.

Strong legs are a particular concern, since the hips, thighs, and buttocks form a triangular support structure for the back and knees. Massive strength is required to move a mountain of men a few meters, or in the case where players are trying to gain ground with one or more opponents hanging off their body.

One could say that the exercise equipment used to work these particular muscle groups are part of your rugby gear as well. Free weights, weight machines, and other exercise gear may be necessary to "beef up" for battle on the field. Countless injuries to hamstrings, hip flexors, and knees are the result of poor conditioning that causes muscle groups, tendons and ligaments that are under-developed to fail under such tremendous pressure.

Rugby equipment involves more than a ball and a pair of shorts. Like any professional or team sport, the standards that govern the level of game you play determine the things you'll need on the field. Finding the right tools to perform well is a key ingredient in training for the grueling level of competition players endure, for the love of the game.