Short description:

First published in 1946, this book deals with rugby football coaching and practice in schools. The author's methods are analysed in a style likely to appeal to readers of all ages. The book is illustrated with photographs. While primarily for schools, the instructional detail would also have appealed to more mature rugby players. 

Long description:

Originally published in 1946, this companion volume to the author?s cricket book deals with rugby football coaching and practice in schools. It is written by a schoolmaster, it was produced in a school, and a unique feature is that the action photographs are of boys who were at that time in the school teams. The author had been coaching rugby football of all grades, Junior Games, House Games, and First XV teams for about twenty years and was at the time of publication in charge of rugby football at Canford School. In this book his methods are analysed in a style likely to appeal to readers of all ages.

The book opens with descriptions of the basic arts, passing, kicking, tackling, etc., required by all players, after which the play and tactics of each position on the field are analysed. A specially interesting chapter is that on the principles underlying the scoring of tries and countering defence. Other chapters deal with captaincy, team and positional practice, coaching, school organisation, how to watch a match, and notes on some of the rules.

The book is illustrated by more than eighty magnificent action photographs. The choice of the shots is excellent and the efficiency with which the boys carried them out showed how well Mr Hankinson had been able to impart his teaching.

While this book was primarily for schools, the instructional detail and the attractiveness of the photographs would also have appealed to more mature rugby players and the book was strongly recommended to all those who are interested in the game. Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.

Review for the original edition:

?Combines simplicity with thoroughness, style with instruction, in a manner not common in such books?. Much here for the learner, and not a little for the ?star.?? ? R. C. Robertson-Glasgow in the Observer.

Table of Contents:

Preface.  Part I: The Basic Arts for All Players  1. Passing  2. Taking a Pass  3. Kicking  4. Tackling  5. Dribbling  6. Picking Up  7. Falling  8. Swerving  9. Sidestepping  10. Handing Off  11. Backing Up  12. Speed  Part II: Analysis of the Positions on the Field and the Tasks Allotted to the Players Occupying Them A: Back Play  1. The Scrum Half  2. The Stand-Off Half  3. The Centre Threequarter  4. The Wing Threequarter  5. The Full Back B: Forward Play  1. The Tight Scrum  2. The Loose Scrum  3. The Line-Out  4. Pack Dribbling  5. The Forwards in Defence  Part III: A ? Principles Behind the Scoring of Tries and the Countering Defence  1. Outflanking  2. The Offered Gap  3. The Created Gap  4. Making a Man Over  5. Developing an Attack in a Surprise Direction  6. Developing an Attack from a Surprise Move  7. Crash Tactics  8. Opportunism  9. Clinching the Try. B ? Positional and Tactical Practice  Part IV  1. Captaincy  2. School Organisation  3. Watching a Match  4. Interpretation of Some Laws of the Game.