Less known than 15-a-side rugby, sevens rugby is today an Olympic discipline. However, it has not always been this way: let’s take a look at this discipline, its history and its rules.
The rugby family includes the 15-a-side rugbyThe rugby at 13 and beach rugby. In smaller teams, rugby can also be played by teams of seven playersand it is this form of rugby that has been selected for inclusion in the program of the Olympic Games.
Although rugby is said to have roots dating back to the Middle Ages, it was in the town of Rugby – which later gave the sport its name – in Great Britain, that the oval ball sport was codified in 1848. Since then , this sport has become much more popular, especially after the creation of Rugby World Cup in 1987.
The rules
Rugby sevens yes play with your hand – and only by hand – by teams of seven players competing in 14-minute matches on a standard rugby pitch. To pass the ball, you have to pass backwards to his teammates – never forward, also in this case, under penalty of a foul – to take the ball from the opponent, which is possible provided you make a tackle (grab the legs, never grab above the waist, squeeze very hard and make the opponent fall, who must release the ball as soon as he is on the ground). Finally, to score points, you have to score a try behind the goal line (worth five points) and convert it by kicking the ball between the posts (two extra points). When a team takes a free kick (again the ball must be kicked between the posts), they can score three points.
Recordings
Rugby is not a historical discipline of the Olympic Games, and for good reason: initially, it was rugby union that was played as part of the Olympic Games, with the discipline added to the programs of the 1900, 1908, 1920 Games and 1924. Only at Rio Olympics of 2016, rugby returned to being an Olympic discipline, with the rugby sevens proposed in the form of men’s and women’s tournaments. For the Paris 2024 Olympic Gamesrugby sevens events will take place from 24 to 30 July at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
A little less famous than rugby 15, rugby sevens is gaining popularity, especially since it was added to the competitive disciplines program of the Olympic Games. But where to train (alone or with a coach) in Paris and the Ile-de-France region. [Per saperne di più]
Less popular than rugby union, rugby sevens does not have teams with the same media profile as rugby union, where the All Blacks (New Zealand), the Springboks (South Africa), the French national team… and many other teams are particularly well known. However, in 2021, ai Tokyo Games, the New Zealanders distinguished themselves by winning the gold medal in the women’s tournament and the Fijians also in the men’s tournament. If you are interested in rugby sevens, head to the Stade de France or the fan zones during the Olympic Games. Enjoy the game (if you’re lucky enough to go)!
The rugby sevens program for the 2024 Olympic Games:
Wednesday 24 July
- Preliminaries from 3.30pm to 9.30pm, every 30 minutes
Thursday 25 July
- Preliminaries, from 2.00pm to 4.30pm, every 30 minutes
- Men, seats 9-12 from 8pm to 9pm
- Men, quarter-finals from 9.00pm to 11.00pm
Saturday 27 July
- Men, seats 5-8 at 2.30pm and 3pm
- Men’s semi-final at 3.30pm and 4.00pm
- Men, seats 11-12 at 4.30pm
- Men, seats 9-10 at 5pm
- Men, seats 7-8 at 6pm
- Men, seats 5-6 at 6.30pm
- Men, bronze medal at 7.00pm
- Men, gold medal at 7.45pm
Sunday 28 July
- Women’s preliminary stages, from 3.30pm to 10pm, every 30 minutes.
Monday 29 July
- Preliminaries from 2.00pm to 4.30pm
- Women, seats from 9.12 to 20.00 and 20.30
- Women, quarter-finals, from 9pm to 11pm
Tuesday 30 July
- Ladies, seats 5-8 at 2.30pm and 3pm
- Women, semi-finals at 3.30pm and 4pm
- Women, seats 11-12 at 4.30pm
- Ladies, seats 9-10 at 5pm
- Ladies, seats 7-8 at 6pm
- Women, seats 5-6 at 6.30pm
- Women, bronze medal at 7.00 pm
- Women, gold medal at 7.45pm
