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ST. IGNATIUS RUGBY
JUNIOR VARSITY
2014 PLAYERS MANUAL
IMPORTANT NUMBERS & CONTACT INFORMATION:
ST. IGNATIUS RUGBY WEBSITE:
www.ignatius.edu/rugby
ST. IGNATIUS RUGBY STORE:
store.ignatiusrugby.com
TEAM FACEBOOK GROUP
COACH
E-MAIL
PHONE #
COACH
Tony Zupancic
arzupancic@gmail.com
(216) 952-1688
COACH
Bryan Law
storeignatiusrugby@gmail.com
(440) 289-1894
COACH
Tim Brofman
bimmt8907@gmail.com
(216) 509-8970
COACH
Tadaaki Hatta
Jkaye137@gmail.com
(216) 409-2141
COACH
Mike LeCastre
Michael.lecastre@gmail.com
(440) 567-1152
COACH
AJ Short
aaronshortjr@hotmail.com
(216) 543-8730
MOTTO:
Play with your head, win with your heart.
TEAM GOALS:
Always Play Aggressively
Develop and Maintain a High Rugby IQ
Maintain Warrior Discipline
Be Playing in May
Close
TEAM RULES:
1. Do your work – do your school work and come to rugby ready to work.
2. Take care of your body – rehydrate, stretch, get fit, and follow a healthy diet.
3. You are a Wildcat Rugby player on and off the pitch – behave like a Wildcat Rugby player at all times.
4. Take the season one game at a time.
5. At all times be aggressive - on the pitch or in the gym.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer
of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is in the arena, whose face is
marred by dust and sweat, and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who
knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the worst, if
he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory
or defeat.”
-
Theodore Roosevelt
WILDCAT EXPECTATIONS FOR 2013
PLAYERS EXPECTATIONS OF EACH OTHER:
Honor:
- Ignatius Men live by a code of Men for Others.
- Rugby Players live by a code of Brotherhood.
Dedication:
- No slacking.
- No shortcuts.
Accountability:
- Know your role and that of those around you – play like you know.
- Accept responsibility for errors and mistakes – don’t make them again.
- Accept responsibility for winning – do it again.
Honesty:
- With your effort.
- With each other.
- Regarding your injuries.
Humility:
- Listen to your coaches and execute as instructed.
- Respect your brothers on the team.
Maintain a high level of fitness.
“Everyone has the will to win, but few have the will to prepare to win.”
- Bobby Knight; HOF College Basketball Coach
PRACTICE AND POLICIES
C SIDE:
-
Tuesday & Thursday practices from 3:30pm – 6:00pm.
Monday study hall and fun run: run commences at 4:00pm in the athletic hall, use the prior hour to
complete schoolwork and study.
Wednesday: 3:30pm – 4:30pm film in 310.
All rugby related activities are required.
D SIDE:
-
Tuesday & Thursday practices from 3:30pm – 6:00pm.
Monday and Wednesday run and film are highly encouraged but not required.
CANCELATION:
- All players will provide cell phone and carrier; practices will be canceled via text message.
- JV practice is NOT determined by varsity or developmental practice decisions.
- Practices will be canceled when weather is dangerous to the players and coaches.
**EQUIPMENT:
-
-
-
It is expected that players are in rugby shorts and a tee shirt or practice jersey for Tuesday and
Thursday practices – tee shirts are NOT recommended due to lack of durability. Players are expected to
be in rugby workout shorts and a tee shirt for Monday runs.
Additional gear can be purchased on the team store website.
PLAYERS MUST BE UNIFORMED FOR GAMES:
o “AMDG” blue and white game shorts should be clean. Do NOT wear game shorts to practice.
o Players must wear the assigned blue Canterbury team socks.
o Base layer gear (like Under-Armour) worn at games MUST be navy blue or white.
o Ignatius Rugby warm-ups, sweat shirts, or sweatpants are encouraged for wear on the sideline.
**GAME DAY:
-
Arrive to the field 1 hr prior to the game with a CLEAN and COMPLETE kit.
In instances of post-game socials, players are expected to stay, eat, and socialize.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
-
Get rubber spiked boots – they are faster and better for your body. Only on wet fields are big, steal
tipped boots a better choice.
DO NOT schedule doctor’s appointments or work shifts during practice times or game days – in season,
school comes first, rugby second.
**DISCIPLINARY POLICY:
-
Players who have unexcused absences from team activities will accrue additional conditioning for the
team during the following practice.
For necessary absences, Coach Law should be notified, via email, in advance. Players are expected to
contact coach Law as far in advance as possible and no less than 3 days before anticipated absence.
If players miss multiple “excused” or “unexcused” practices, playing time for upcoming games will be
limited due to lack of preparation. This policy is aimed not to punish players, but to benefit the team.
SCHEDULE
-
“C” Side players are expected at Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday weekly activities as well
as games.
“D” Side players are expected at Tuesday and Thursday activities and are encouraged to attend
Monday and Wednesday activities as well.
Schedule is subject to small changes. Notification will be sent via text message, will be posted to the
Ignatius rugby website, and to the rugby Facebook group.
Saint Ignatius C
2-Mar
Brunswick B
Saint
8-Mar
John/Celtic
Culver Military
15-Mar
B
16-Mar
McQuaid B
at Penn
22-Mar
Tournament
at Penn
22-Mar
Tournament
at Penn
23-Mar
Tournament
27-Mar
Highland
3-Apr
Mentor
at Saint Edward
6-Apr
B
Location
Wasmer Field
Time
2:00
Saint John
TBD
Wasmer Field
Wasmer Field
Moose Rugby Grounds
(Indiana)
Moose Rugby Grounds
(Indiana)
Moose Rugby Grounds
(Indiana)
Wasmer Field
Wasmer Field
11:00
1:00
TBA
7:30
7:30
5-Apr
Brunswick HS
3:30
TBA
Saint Ignatius D
2-Mar
Parma B
Saint
8-Mar
John/Celtic
Culver Military
15-Mar
B
16-Mar
McQuaid B
Toledo Saint
22-Mar
John
Location
Wasmer Field
Time
5:00
Saint John
TBD
Wasmer Field
Wasmer Field
11:00
1:00
Wasmer Field
TBD
Ignatius E
Wasmer Field
4:30
12-Apr
Lakewood
7:30
at Avon B
Rocky River
Shaker
Heights
Wasmer Field
Avon Middle
School
Wasmer Field
Shaker Heights
HS
Wasmer Field
7:30
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland, OH
TBA
TBA
TBA
17-Apr
26-Apr
Medina
Xavier
Wasmer Field
Wasmer Field
6:00
12:30
16-Apr
26-Apr
27-Apr
3-May
9-May
at Parma
at Avon Lake
Amherst
Regional
Quarter Final
Regional SemiFinal
Regional Final
State SemiFinal
State Final
Greenbriar MS
Avon Lake HS
Wasmer Field
2:00
1:00
7:30
27-Apr
10-May
Wasmer Field
7:30
14-May
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
17-May
21-May
Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland, OH
TBA
TBA
24-May
31-May
14-May
17-May
21-May
24-May
31-May
Lake Catholic
Regional
Quarter Final
Regional
Semi-Final
Regional Final
State SemiFinal
State Final
5:30
7:30
2:00
WILDCAT EXPECTATIONS FOR 2014
WHAT WILDCAT COACHES EXPECT FROM THEIR FORWARDS:
PROPS:
- Must be solid in the scrums, understanding the mechanics of the scrum.
- Must give strong support in the lineouts.
- Must give strong support from kick-offs.
- Must support from depth in general play.
- Must drive and deliver the ball while moving forward
- Must stay on your feet while attacking on offense.
- Must communicate will all teammates on offense and be able to support them via rucking, mauling,
handling the ball in open field, as well as presenting a unified front on defense.
HOOKER:
- Must take his own scrum ball.
- Must throw accurately in the lineout at the required speed and height.
- Must play a loose forward from the front of the lineout, he is responsible for the blindside (short
throw.)
- Must have a tackle rate as high as his flankers.
- Must remember that he is the loose forward of the tight forwards, his game begins when his tight
piece duties end.
- Must communicate will all teammates on offense and be able to support them via rucking, mauling,
handling the ball in open field, as well as presenting a unified front on defense.
- Must realize on offense in open field play that he may be called upon to be a back at times.
LOCK (Second Row):
- Must jump aggressively in the lineouts and ensure possession for his side.
- Must scrum strongly, understanding the mechanics of his position.
- Must get around the field to make tackles.
- Must master the take at kick-offs.
- Must learn to feed the ball to teammates in a Maul before offensive drive dissipates.
- Must be a pest on the opponents’ lineout ball.
- Success is measured by number of times he handles the ball in a game vs. his opponents.
- Must communicate will all teammates on offense and be able to support them via rucking, mauling,
handling the ball in open field, as well as presenting a unified front on defense.
FLANKER (Wing Forwards):
- Must run directly to the ball / breakdown.
- Must stay on his feet.
- Must run like a back and handle the ball like a back.
- Must support teammates from depth.
- Must lead the team in tackles and drive opponent pack players back behind their gain line on tackles.
- Must cause havoc by pressuring the opposing backs.
- Must look after the holes between the opposing scrum downs and backs, lineouts and backs, and weak
side plays. The Flanker is the inside defender when a team cuts back on the field.
- Must communicate will all teammates on offense and be able to support them via rucking, mauling,
handling the ball in open field, as well as presenting a unified front on defense.
- Must realize on offense in open field play that he may be called upon frequently to be a back at times.
8 MAN (No. 8):
- Must be the king from any broken play where he must be the key ball winner as well as the attacker.
- Must always be within a pass of the ball on both offense and defense.
- Must run line a back and handle the ball like a back.
- Must play effectively off the base of the scrum.
- Must create for others and put others into gaps on offense.
- Must understand his defensive role from lineouts and scrums.
- Must look after the holes between the opposing scrum downs and backs, lineouts and backs, and weak
side plays.
- Must support teammates from depth.
- Must cause havoc by pressuring the opposing backs.
- Must communicate will all teammates on offense and be able to support them via rucking, mauling,
handling the ball in open field, as well as presenting a unified front on defense.
A FEW MAJOR POINTS FOR ALL FORWARDS:
- Support teammates from depth. If you can see the ball carrier’s number on the back of his jersey then
you are in the right position.
- Stay on your feet on offense.
- Take your opponent to the ground or out of bounds on Defense.
- Dominate the tackle when you are the ball carrier, don’t let the tackler dominate you.
- Dominate the tackle on defense.
- Play quick ball and communicate with your teammates at all times!
- CRASH HARD when you have the ball.
“Don’t do anything in practice that you wouldn’t do in a game.” – George Halas NFL Coach
WILDCAT EXPECTATIONS FOR 2013
WHAT WILDCAT COACHES EXPECT FROM THEIR BACKS:
FULLBACK:
- Must be able to take/catch opponent’s kicks and high balls.
- Change the angle of attack by entering the line in multiple places.
- Must be able to come into a line as a decoy.
- Be strong in the tackle
- Keep the ball in front of you at all times. No one kicks the ball over the head of our fullback.
- Form a devastating counter-attack with his wings so that the opposition fears kicking against us.
- Have a good boot and know when to use it.
- Must communicate with all other teammates and specifically wingers to ensure there is always a
player back deep as a safety.
WINGER (Wings):
- Must be able to do everything a good fullback is expected to do.
- Must keep the ball in play on offense and know when to cut inside to avoid going into touch.
- Must provide strong, sound defense by marking and containing your opposing man.
- Must make the opposition account for him at all times by constantly changing location on the pitch in
relation to back line, scrum downs, and when lined up as a weak side player.
- Must vary running lanes and angles of attack.
- Keep your feet in tackle and do your best to avoid going to ground until support is there and tells you
to do so.
- Learn to run at pace and accelerate against defenders to break the gain line.
CENTERS (Inside Center & Outside Center):
- Must create space or an overload on offense so as to provide the Fullback and Wings with a one on
none opportunity to score.
- Must be able to recognize the right time to slow down or speed up the pace of the game. Good
Centers provide rest for their teammates when needed and exploit the opposition when they can’t
keep up.
- The Inside and Outside Centers must play off each other as a single unit on the pitch in both offensive
and defensive situations.
- Must attack opposition while on defense in tandem with the Flyhalf to create an impenetrable wall.
- Verbal communication with back line is paramount in gameplay.
- Must work when away from the ball. This is almost as important as when you are handling the ball.
- Must ruck and Maul like a pack player. A Center should be the first line of support for his flyhalf,
fullback, or winger when they are tackled.
FLYHALF:
- Must have proper spacing from his Scrumhalf and any breakdown. 10-12 meters wide and 5 meters
deep.
- Must communicate with his Scrumhalf and other backs at all times. The Flyhalf is the Quarterback for
the backline.
- Must vary his attacking alignment according to the situation presented by the opposing defense.
- Must lead the attack for our defensive line and vocalize our attack to his teammates.
- Must be able to attack the opposition when an opening presents itself.
- Must always see the entire field to spot weaknesses which call for a crash, a kick, to swing the ball out
to the backs, or to go back inside to the pack.
- Must be able to kick when the opportunity presents itself to exploit the defense.
SCRUMHALF:
- Must give clean, quick, and accurate ball to his teammates.
- Must be a force of attack around the breakdowns, rucks, and scrum downs when opposition is not
marking him.
- Must be a good support player as an additional outlet to the ball carrier. Play on the inside of the
attack line so as to provide an option to go back inside.
- Must be able to use the boot like the flyhalf if asked to do so.
- Must form a formidable attack with the pack on defense.
- Must be a pain to the defense by exerting pressure on opposing Scrumhalf.
- When the opposition gets the ball out to their backs the Scrumhalf must operate in no man’s land as a
safety net against any ball carrier that breaks our gain line or an opponent who likes to kick.
- Communication is paramount for the scrumhalf. He is to be the loudest player on the pitch who
constantly gives direction to both his pack and backs to ensure proper spacing and pace of attack.
A FEW MAJOR POINTS FOR ALL BACKS:
- Support teammates from depth. If you can see the ball carrier’s number on the back of his jersey then
you are in the right position.
- Stay on your feet on offense.
- Take your opponent to the ground or out of bounds on Defense.
- Dominate the tackle when you are the ball carrier, don’t let the tackler dominate you.
- Dominate the tackle on defense.
- Exploit your opposition by continually seeing the entire field. Look for openings on offense and attack
those openings with by running and kicking.
- Play quick ball and communicate with your teammates at all times!
A WILDCAT RUGGER MUST….
The Following applies to all players and all positions on the pitch.
1.
PASS and provide good clean ball to your teammate
2.
ATTACK on Offense & Defense
3.
RUCK and Support his teammates to ensure we retain possession of our ball.
4.
Stand as one. A good team can beat any 15 players.
5.
Everyone can win. Realize that the number on your jersey only matters in set pieces
(Penalty, Scrumdowns, Lineouts, and Kick-offs.) When the ball is in free play, your role
and actions should be determine by your position on the pitch and relation to the ball.
6.
COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE at all times on the field so that you
know what your teammates are doing and they know what you are doing!
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will.
- Mahatma Gandhi - Activist
…let me tell you what winning means. (it means) your willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than
anyone else. - Vince Lombardi – NFL Coach