Rugby for Dummies 3rd Edition (North American Edition)

OK...hate to admit this as my son has played rugby for over 6 years and just became co-captain of his college team - Go GMU Gang Green!, but I didn't have a clue as to what was happening on the field! So, I got this book so I could actually follow what was happening in the game. This book really helps and is extremely well written, so even I, a relative sports novice could follow it and find it entertaining. My son has been caught reading certain parts of it such as the rugby resource sections just to learn more. This book is great for novices like me, but also those who might need a refresher, or more experienced players looking for resources. Makes me want to sit down with the authors and have an "adult beverge" or 2.

Absolutely love this book. I knew nothing about rugby which my son decided he wanted to play out of the blue. This has helped me understand what he is talking about and when they start their matches here soon I will be able to follow what is going on. His coach is new to coaching rugby and is looking into this book as well because it has lots of tips on nutrition, weight training and even coaching. And what is helpful for players to keep in their bags. And the price is great.

I have to say: This is a great book and I wish these authors had a different publisher and better pictures; which is why I agree with another reviewer and I purchased a second book with better graphics and pictures. I too like ordering this book in addition to Tony Williams' "Rugby Skills, Tactics and Rules" to accompany the Dummies edition. As for this book, it's for North Americans, which benefits me. The Williams book has New Zealand specific jargons and this can be a bit confusing with the multiple differences in terminology. If you want to learn about the game the Dummies book is a necessity: if you need a visual guide, Williams is great and it shows all the competing nations at the game to familiarize yourself to who the great teams are. I haven't purchased a book on the 7s version of rugby, but I recommend finding one: this will be the Olympic version of the sport and it's a very entertaining time truncated version of the game, only 7 players per team and 7-10 minute halves with two minute halftimes. Makes for a very exciting game. I grew up in the '70s and remember the new game of soccer to the U.S., Rugby is the new soccer for my children's era. Get involved! From what I can tell, it appears safer than American football, no blocking (less micro-concusions)and only contact between ball carrier and tackler(s). High tackles are illegal, so head to head contact is minimized. Younger kids play flag and tag versions, as they get into middle school and high school, full contact is introduced. Scrapes and cuts are common in this sport and the rare big injuries, but from my observation over the last four years, I've only witnessed one head to head contact, which was the mistake of the Canadian player, which I saw in the World Cup last year. Learn more about the game. I want to pull my kid out of football altogether, because I think this is a better game.

Happened on BBC America and was watching a rugby game. My grandson (in SEAL training) introduced Rugby to his High School and, later, they went on to win the state championship. I needed to understand the game and Nate wasn't handy to ask; ordered this on my Kindle so I can refer to it during the game. Can't say as I understand it completely as yet but this book is very readable and written at a sixth grade level, One would have to be uber dumb not to understand what they were reading. LOL Great addition to my sports knowledge.

I received my copy of Rugby for Dummies this past friday, and have learned a great deal already. I have recently become interested in learning about Rugby, and finding this book was a godsend. The authors talk about the game and equipment in terms that someone with no prior knowledge can easily digest. They resist the over-usage of jargon and where they do use jargon, they explain what they are talking about in a way that doesn't leave the reader sitting there scratching his/her head. I plan to continue my exploration of the world of Rugby, and Rugby For Dummies has become my chief reference. Kudos to the authors!

"Rugby for Dummies (3rd Edition)" has proved to be very informational. It covers the basic laws and inner-workings of rugby, the traditions, coaching and playing all in a concise, easy to understand manual. I recommend "Rugby for Dummies" to new rugby athletes, to veteran players who want to brush up on their understanding of the game, and especially to team captains or coaches. Very helpful book! Rugby For Dummies

While the book is informative in general there are a few points that I didn't care for. As a novice getting into "watching" rugby I felt there were a few problems with this book: 1. Penalties are a mystery never fully explained. The author recommends downloading the rugby "laws" and I must say they are massive. While the author tries to explain the more common fouls when I watch a game you'll see two identical plays and the ref calls a foul on one and not the other...but the book is of limited help here. 2. The book doesn't make change of possession clear. Sometimes when the player releases possession the balls lays there until the scum or fly half picks it up and sometimes in what looks like the same situation an opposing team player will grab the ball...it is not clearly explained when you have the right to steal the ball and when you don't. 3. My last problem is the constant changing of gender. One time it is "he" the next time it is"she" ad infinitum. I know the author makes the point that it is a game for "all" but after a while the changing back and forth gets annoying. To the authors credit he never combines he and she the same sentence...still annoying. Otherwise the book was helpful and interesting but still leaves come gaps and I still felt like a dummy when I was done.

I have been playing rugby for 3 years and am now the captain, but since rugby is such a complex sport there are still some rules that I am unsure about. This book has everything and it is easy to find what I want to look for to get clarification on. Though rugby is such a complicated sport, this book really explains it a great way.