A beginner's guide to MARABOES RUGBY - maraboes.nl

A beginner’s guide toMARABOES RUGBYMAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY RUGBY SINCE 1989WWW.MARABOES.NL2- M.S.R.G. DE MARABOES - WWW.MARABOES.NL

IndexRugby’s history & ethos2. Rugby’s history & ethosIndex3. The gamePresent4. Open playOMA5. Tackle, ruck & maulTraining6. The positions7. The positions8. The scrumThe club9. The lineoutThe coach10. The third halfFacilities11. Rugby in its diversityTournaments12. MembersLegend has it that in 1823,during a game of schoolfootball in the town of Rugby,England, a young man namedWilliam Webb Ellis picked upthe ball and ran towards theopposition’s goal line.Two centuries later, RugbyFootball has evolved into one ofthe world’s most popular sports,with millions of people playing,watching and enjoying the Game.At the heart of Rugby is a uniqueethos which it has retained overthe years. Not only is the Gameplayed to the Laws, but withinthe spirit of the Laws.Through discipline, control andmutual self-respect, a fellowshipand sense of fair play are forged,defining Rugby as the Game it is.From the school playground tothe Rugby World Cup final, RugbyUnion offers a truly unique andthoroughly rewarding experiencefor all involved in the Game.13. Members14. Pictures15. General infoEquipmentM.S.R.G. De MaraboesThe history book of “M.S.R.G. DeMaraboes” opens at the 20th of April1989. Two students who were fed upwith the local sports took the initiativeto set up a student rugby team. Thisturns out to be a great success, afteronly 6 months the Maraboes have acompetitive team. After training hard forone year the “Boes” enter the dutchcompetition and do surprisingly well.That year and the following the boesestablish themselves even more byentering numerous tournaments and laythe foundation for rich tradition that stillmakes up the Maraboes.2

Beginner’s guide to Maraboes RugbyThe GamePresentRugby is a game in which the object is to carry the ball over theopponents’ goal line and force it to the ground to score.It’s simple... but complexThe above description may sound simple - but there is one catch. Inorder to go forward, the ball must be passed backwards. The ball can bekicked forwards, but the kicker’s team mates must be behind the ball atthe moment the ball is kicked.Currently the Maraboes consistsof some 35 members. We havemembers from college anduniversity, from every possiblecontinent and people whobesides the maraboes are also amember of one of the manyother student associations orfraternities.This apparent contradiction creates a need for fine teamwork and greatdiscipline, as little can be achieved by any one individual player. Only byworking as a team can players move the ball forward towards theiropponents’ goal line and eventually go on to win the game.Rugby has its unique aspects,but like many other sports it isessentially about the creationand use of space. The winnersof a game of Rugby will be theteam of players who can getthemselves and the ball intospace and use that spacewisely, while denying theopposing team bothpossession of the ball andaccess to space in which touse it.We have two teams entered inthe dutch competition. Onecompetitive team and aso-called development team.This team is there specifically togive people, who arecompletely new to the game, achance to get experience in thecompetiton and playingdifferent positions.The field of playDEAD BALL LINEnot exceeding22mnot exceeding 70mIN-GOALGOAL LINE22m22-METRE LINE10-METRE LINEnot exceeding100m10mnot exceeding22mA typical maraboes should havethe discipline to train and playregularly. But he should also bewilling to adopt some of theMaraboes identity and thecustoms that the club holds.Members are also expected tohelp out at the club when askedfor by the board.15m5mHALF-WAY LINE10-METRE LINE22-METRE LINEGOAL LINEDEAD BALL LINEGOAL POSTS5mTOUCH-IN-GOAL LINETOUCH-LINETOUCH-IN-GOAL LINE3

OMAOpen playOld Maraboes AssociationThe association for old membersof the maraboes, in shortOMA, is deeply rooted in theMaastricht rugby tradition.The term ‘open play’ refers to any phase in the match where the ballis being passed or kicked between team mates and both teams arecontesting for the ball. In open play, the team in possession tries toget the ball to players in space who can make forward progresstowards the opposing goal line.Kick offThe OMA was founded in 1992and currently has 60 activemembers.Naturally the OMA are stillfocused on rugby but their maingoal is to maintain the bondsbetween former maraboes.For example there is the yearlyOMA day; At the start of eachacademic year the old membersplay the current members forthe OMA-cup.The OMA also have their own2-yearly tour to a locationaround the Mediterranean sea.Another highlight is the annualChristmas dinner organized bythe OMA for new and oldmembers. This is always aguarantee for an unforgettablenight.For more info visit:www.oldmaraboes.com.Each half of the match is startedwith a drop kick from the centreof the half way line. The receivingteam must be 10 metresback from the ball when it iskicked and the kick must travel10m towards the opposition goalline before hitting the ground.HandlingA player may pass (throw theball) to a team mate who is in abetter position to continue theattack, but the pass must nottravel towards the opposingteam’s goal line. It must traveleither directly across the field, orback in the direction of thepasser’s own goal line.By carrying the ball forwards andpassing backwards, territory isgained.If a forward pass is made, the referee will stop the game and award ascrum (see page 8) with the throw-in going to the team which was not inpossession at the time of the pass. In this way, a forward pass ispunished by that team losing possession of the ball.Knock-onA knock-on occurs when a playerloses possession of the ball and itgoes forward, or when a player hitsthe ball forward with the hand orarm, or when the ball hits the handor arm and goes forward, and theball touches the ground or anotherplayer before the original player cancatch it.4

The PositionsRugby Union has always beencharacterised by the notionthat it is a game for all shapesand sizes.ForwardsLoose-headpropLockHookerTight-headpropLockUniquely, each positionrequires a different set ofphysical and technicalattributes and it is this diversitywhich makes the game soaccessible to all.From the power of theforwards to the speed of the backs,there’s a place in aRugby team for anyone whowants a slice of the action.B acks11Leftwing13Outsidecentre12Open-sideflankerInside centre1510Fly halfFull backNumber 89S crum halfB lind-sideflankerThe names of positions given here are the most commonly used across the R ugby world.However, some regional variations may exist.14R ightwingPropsHooker1 3 2What they do: Their primary role is to anchor thescrummage and provide lifting strength and supportfor the lineout jumpers. Also pivotal in rucks & mauls.What they need: Upper-body strength to providestability in the scrum, endurance, mobility and safehands to maintain continuity of play.What they do: The hooker has two unique roles onthe pitch as the player who wins possession in thescrum and usually throws the ball in to the lineout.What they need: Great strength to withstand thephysicality of the front row coupled with speed to getaround the pitch and good throwing technique.LocksFlankers4 5 6 7What they do: Locks win ball from lineouts andrestarts. They drive forward momentum in the scrum,rucks and mauls providing a platform for attack.What they need: The key characteristic is height. Thelocks are the giants of the team and combine theirphysicality with great catching skills and mobility.What they do: Their key objective is to win possessionthrough turn-overs, using physicality in the tackle andspeed to the breakdown.What they need: An insatiable desire for big tackles anda no-fear approach to winning the ball. A combination ofspeed, strength, endurance and handling.6

Beginner’s guide to Maraboes RugbyNumber 8Scrum half8 9What they do: The Number 8 must secure possessionat the base of the scrum, carry the ball in open play,provide the link between the forwards and backs inattacking phases and defend aggressively.What they need: Good handling skills are essential,as is a great awareness of space. Power and paceover short distances is crucial - gaining territory andfield position for a quick release to the backs in attack.What they do: Provides the link between forwards andbacks at the scrum and lineouts. A true decision-maker,the 9 will judge whether to distribute quick ball to thebacks or keep it close to the forwards.What they need: A multi-faceted position, the scrum halfmust be powerful, have explosive speed, all-roundhandling and kicking skills. The great 9s are highly confidentplayers, with excellent game understanding.Fly halfCentres10 12 13What they do: As the player who orchestrates theteam’s performance, the 10 will receive the ball fromthe 9 and choose to kick, pass or make a break basedupon split-second interpretation of the phase of play.What they need: The ability to kick well out of hand,ideally on either foot, deft handling skills, pace, vision,creativity, communication skills, tactical awarenessand the ability to perform under pressure.What they do: The centres are key in both defenceand attack. In defence they will attempt to tackleattacking players whilst in attack they will use theirspeed, power and creative flair to breach defences.What they need: The modern-day centre is lean,strong and extremely quick. The position demandsgreat attacking prowess, coupled with an intensity incontact to either retain or steal possession.WingsFull back11 14 15What they do: The wings are on the pitch to providethe injection of out-and-out pace needed to outrun anopponent and score a try. Also important to be solid indefence.What they need: Pace. Wings will often findthemselves in open space, when their number onepriority is to press the accelerator and run for the line.Strength and good handling are an advantage too.What they do: Generally perceived as the last line ofdefence, the full back must be confident under a highball, have a good boot to clear the lines and a enjoythe physicality required to make try-saving tackles.What they need: Great handling skills, pace in attackand power in defence. An ability to join the line atpace to create an overlap and try-scoringopportunities for the winger. Tactical skill and flair.7

The clubThe scrumSignals for scrumawarded (left)and forming ascrum (right)The “Maastrichts StudentenRugby Genootschap De Maraboes”(M.S.R.G.) forms a collaborationwith the “Eerste MaastrichtseRugby Club” (E.M.R.C.),the first Maastricht rugby clubfor civilians. Both teams areunited in the “MaastrichtMaraboes Rugby Combinatie”(M.M.R.C.).They do this to ensure thatMaastricht competes in theleague with the mostcompetitive team possible.The scrum is a means of restarting play after a stoppage which hasbeen caused by a minor infringement of the Laws (for example, aforward pass or knock on) or the ball becoming unplayable in a ruckor maul. The scrum serves to concentrate all the forwards and thescrum halves in one place on the field, providing the opportunity forthe backs to mount an attack using the space created elsewhere.M.S.R.G. De MaraboesThe input from the usually moreexperienced civilians is put touse to shape and form newmembers. This in combinationwith the appeal that rugby hasto foreign students makes thatyou can find an interesting mixof people at our club. We oftenliterarily have people from everycontinent in the world present.The ball is thrown into the middle of the tunnel between the two frontrows, at which point the two hookers can compete for the ball,attempting to hook the ball back in the direction of their team mates. Theteam who throws the ball into the scrum usually retains possession,because the hooker and scrum half can synchronise their actions.Once possession has been secured, a team can keep the ball on theground and in the scrum and attempt to drive the opposition down field.Alternatively, they can bring the ball to the hindmost foot of the scrum,where the ball is then passed into the back line and open playresumes again.ScrumhalfM.M.R.C. anno 2005The key player at the scrum is thescrum half. This player throws theball into the scrum, moves to thehindmost foot of the scrum, and isusually the player who picks theball up and passes out to the flyhalf who then distributes the ballto the back line. As soon as thescrum half picks the ball up, theopposition may contest for the balland attempt to tackle whicheverplayer is in possession.8

Beginner’s guide to Maraboes RugbyThe lineoutThe touch judgesignals that the ball isin touch and whichteam has the throw inThe coachThe lineout is a means of restarting play after the ball has gone intotouch (off the field of play at the side). The lineout concentrates allthe forwards in one place near to the touch line, so the backs havethe rest of the width of the field in which to mount an attack. Thekey for the forwards is to win possession and distribute the balleffectively to the back line.“Rugby is a sport that is accessibleto everybody. There is aposition for everybody whowants to play. There is no othersport that can compare torugby, it builds character andinstills discipline.It also has a great socialfunction, there are always threehalves to a game the first twoare on the pitch and the third isin the club house having a singsong and a drink with theopposition after the game.The forwards assemble in two lines, perpendicular to the touch line, onemetre apart. The hooker throws the ball down the corridor betweenthese two lines of players. Because the thrower’s team mates knowwhere the throw is likely to go, that team has an advantage in retainingpossession. However, with speed of thought and movement, theopposition can contest for the ball and the lineout frequently results in aturnover of possession.The player who successfully catches the ball can keep it and set up amaul, or can pass to the receiver (a player who stands next to the lineoutto wait for such a pass) who then passes to the fly half and on to theback line.Lineout supportTo allow players to catch high throws in the lineout,it is permissible for the catcher to be supported byteam mates while jumping to catch the ball.Safety is a prime concern here, and any player whois off the ground must be supported until thatplayer returns to the ground. A player may not betackled while in the air, and holding, shoving orlevering on an opponent are all offences punishablewith a penalty kick.However rough it gets on thepitch, after the game you shakehands and all is forgiven. Thereis always the utmost respect foryour fellow players and theopposition. The element ofcontact during the game is agreat way to vent your frustrationsand aggression in acontrolled manner. Rugby is anabsolute team sport in whichthe team takes priority over theindividual.The Maraboes organize manyactivities off the field whichbrings the group even closer asfriends which means that on thefield they go to the edge foreach other. All in all enoughreason to come and try out atour training sessions and thenjoin up as a member.See you on the field.”Coach: Hamish Craig9

FacilitiesThe third halfOur accommodation is one ofthe highest standard. First offwe have a spectacular artificialpitch which allows us to train allyear round.Secondly we have high qualitytraining equipment. The wholeof our accommodation andequipment is looked after andmaintained by the city ofMaastricht which means that allour facilities are alwaysimmaculately maintained.One element that makes rugby stand out amongst other sports is thethird half. “Ruggers” are known for their rich history of singing and beergames. After the first few beers it is usually a matter of time before thetwo teams start to compete to see who can sing the loudest.Student life to it’s fullestOne thing that makes the Maraboes stand out from other student sportsassociations is that they actively engage in the Maastricht student life. This ismainly done by organizing drinks with sororities and fraternities and visitingstudent festivals but also by organizing pub crawls and celebrating some ofthe local and national holidays.For example there is the Christmas dinner, Carnaval and the Easter tournament.At the end of every year a prize gala is held.TourRight next to our pitch is ourclubhouse. It is big enough tohost 70 people but also cosyenough to enjoy a few beerswith your fellow teammatesafter an intense training session.The clubhouse is decorated withall kinds of paraphernalia which,all in their own way, tell our richclub history.A rich rugby tradition is the yearly tour most teams embark on after regularcompetition ends. The Maraboes tour especially is a spectacular event.Members who join for the first time are the so called “virgins” and are easilyrecognizable by their “tour-cuts”. They are also usually the ones that have toappear before “the judge” in court sessions after which they may end up beingelected “dick of the day”. If you are crazy enough to go on 5 tours, you are oneof the happy few that may call themselves a tour veteran. But alwaysremember: “what goes on tour, stays on tour!”.Test matchesThanks to our modern facilities and artificial pitch the maraboes are able tohost test matches for the Dutch national team. This is of course a great way tosee some of the best dutch players in action up close and this gives a bigimpulse to rugby in Maastricht.10

Beginner’s guide to Maraboes RugbyRugby in its diversityTournamentsOnce the regular competitionends (usually in March) all kindsof bigger and smallertournaments are held. Onething that all these tournamentshave in common is that theemphasis is just as much onsocializing as it is on thecompetitive element.SevensSevens Rugby is played on a full size pitch by teams of seven playersrather than fifteen. The game is shorter in duration, with each half lastingseven minutes. Aside from that, the Laws vary very little from the15-a-side game, though of course because of the amount of spaceavailable on the pitch, it is a very different game to watch. Sometimesteams will choose to go backwards initially, drawing the oppositiontowards them, creating space in other areas to then go forward in attack.The Maraboes themselves havea yearly 15-a-side Eastertournament in April.Other tournaments for exampleare the well known Dendermonde10’s, the biggest open10-a-side tournament in theworld, and the Dutch Amelandbeach rugby festival.Other variations & small-sided gamesThere are various modified forms of Rugbywhich are designed to allow anyone to play inany circumstances with gradual developmentof skills.Examples of these variations include Tag,Touch, Tip, Flag and Beach Rugby. As anexample, in tag, players wear tags which hangfrom a belt. Removal of one of these tagconstitutes a tackle, and the ball carrier mustthen pass. One of the key attractions of theseversions of Rugby is that the non-contactnature means that people of all ages, bothsexes and of any fitness level can playtogether on a variety of surfaces.The latter is frequently visitedby the Maraboes. This 7’stournament is held on thebeaches of a small island in thenorth of Holland and combinesexhausting matches on thebeach during the day with diehard partying in the night.The typical rugby atmospherethat surrounds these tournamentsis unique in the world.11

The MembersName: Olivier WegelinStudy: MedicineType of member (OMA/BOES): boes almost OMAJoined in: 2004Position: Fly-half/centreWhy did you become a member?I love rugby and needed a social network.What is your definition of a maraboes?Crazy bunch of rugby boys. Great fun. Brotherhood (with some..).What is your most memorable moment with the maraboes?Tour 04/05 and 09/10Why should students join the maraboes?It's a great way to combine sports activities with social activities. We're the only club in Maastricht that sort of is in limbobetween non-sport social clubs and all sport-non social clubs. A very close knit group of (inter)national students.Name: Michiel te PaskeStudy: Economics (Finance)Type of member (OMA/BOES): OMAJoined in: 1992Position: CenterWhy did you become a member?Wanted to combine sports with my social life.What is your definition of a maraboes?A team of active, determined men who in the field gothrough fire and water for each other, and who off the field are in for a good laugh.What is your most memorable moment with the maraboes?My first match. Then I realised what it means to be part of a rugby team.Why should students join the maraboes?Because your years at University are not only about studying, but also about having an active social life. Striking the rightbalance is key, and if you manage to do that you will have a memorable time and you will build friendships for life, asshown by the success of the Old Maraboes AssiociationName: Wouter van HerwijnenStudy: International Management (IM)Type of member (OMA/BOES): OMAJoined in: Maraboes in 1989 and OMA in 1996Position: Full Back, Scrum Half, Fly HalfWhy did you become a member?Rugby with the M.S.R.G De Maraboes offers a unique combinationof sports, friendship for life, socializing (drinking) and being part of the Maastricht student life. After that, the OMA aimsto continue all this, for better and for worse, so the bond with my fellow ruggers never dies.What is your definition of a maraboes?See aboveWhat is your most memorable moment with the maraboes?Maraboes: Hull Tour 1993, having the greatest time with 35 of my best mates, where stories were made that are stillbeing told OMA: All the great X-Mas dinners we have had and all the restraurants we can never come back toWhy should students join the maraboes?M.S.R.G. De Maraboes offers a great way to experience the student life in Maastricht to the fullest. Combining sports,determination, friendship and socializing with the other students in Maastricht will form your mind and body in way thatwill benefit you for the rest of your life.12

Beginner’s guide to Maraboes RugbyName: Tom CremersStudy: International Business and LanguagesType of member (OMA/BOES): maraboesJoined in: 2009Position: wingerWhy did you become a member?I wanted to do a sport in Maastricht and thesport always appealed to me. It offered the possibility of adevelopment team before starting matches but I was able to play matches in a fewweeks. Apart from this I like a drink once a while which is also possible with the Maraboes.What is your definition of a maraboes?The combination between a student and a sports fraternityWhat is your most memorable moment with the maraboes?Promotion to the 3rd division in 2010Why should students join the maraboes?It is a good combination between sports and students fraternity.Name: Frans BoselieStudy: Medicine, 6th yearType of member (OMA/BOES): MaraboeJoined in: 2010Position: HookerWhy did you become a member?I became a member of the Maraboes because I was looking for a sportwhere I was challenged mentally and physically at every training and match.What is your definition of a maraboes?The Maraboes are a group of real teammates, in the broadest sence, without strings attached. Everybody who commitsto the team is automatically a vital part of the team.What is your most memorable moment with the maraboes?My most memorable moment with the Maraboes was my first match, I'd been playing for 3 weeks and was called in as asub. Apparently I put so much effort in that afterwards they awarded me with the Most Valuable Player-chug.Why should students join the maraboes?The Maraboes offer a sport that's quite unknown in the Netherlands, which is still pure to the core. Where focusedaggression and sportsmanship always go hand in hand on and off the pitch.Name: Justin LeendersStudy: MedicineType of member (OMA/BOES): OMAJoined in: 2003Position: FlyhalfWhy did you become a member?Love the game.What is your definition of a maraboes?Not just a hobby but it forms your family away from home.What is your most memorable moment with the maraboes?Winning the 3rd division.Why should students join the maraboes?It combines all the best elements of student life and allows you to make lifelong friends whilst playing a fantastic sport!13

The PicturesVariousTourChristmas dinner14

Beginner’s guide to Maraboes RugbyGeneral InformationWhere to go from hereIf you think you’ve got what it takes to become a marabou; don’t hesitateto contact us via web, mail, phone or otherwise. You’re also more thanwelcome to join us at training or come and see us in action during one ofour matches. Contact one of our board members and we will be sure topick you up somewhere.EquipmentBefore playing Rugby, it’sequipment you’ll need.Firstly, you’ll need a sturdypair of boots with studs orcleats which are appropriateto the conditions. These areessential to provide thegrip you’ll require, especially incontact situations.Need even more info?Our website offers up-to-date information about matches, upcomingevents, recent photos etc.You can also find recent newsreports and promo videos on our site.ContactVisit us at Sportpark Malberg West, Negenputruwe 1, 6218 RA Maastricht.See our site for detailed directions.It is recommended that youwear a mouth guard toprotect the teeth and jaw,and some players choose towear headgear, the so calledscrumcaps, and/or paddedtackle vests, worn underthe shirt.Online: www.maraboes.nlFacebook: search for M.S.R.G. De MaraboesE-mail: bestuur@maraboes.nlMail: Postbus 192, 6200 AD MaastrichtAs you can see. apart from someminor investments in equipment,rugby is not at all anexpensive sport to practice.15

A beginner’s guide to MARABOES RUGBYM.S.R.G. De MaraboesWeb: www.maraboes.nl E-mail: bestuur@maraboes.nlVisiting address: Sportpark Malberg west, Negenputruwe 1, 6218 RA MaastrichtPostal address: Postbus 198, 6200 AD Maastrichtedition 2010WWW.MARABOES.NL - M.S.R.G. DE MARABOES - WWW.MARABOES.NL