by TJ Smith

The San Diego Armada Rugby Football Club (SDARFC) held their last Rugby 101 clinic on Aug. 12 before their fall pre-season starts. Approximately 30 attendees participated in the clinic designed as an introduction to the game and a refresher for more experienced players.

The clinic was conducted by Jonathan Wygant, SDARFC’s current captain and interim coach, and was divided into three main sections: basics, skills training and touch rugby.

In the basics portion of the clinic, a general overview of the game, field positions and set pieces were introduced to participants. Participants were then walked through each position and general duties in the game.

An example side was fielded with explanations of game progress and breakdowns. Set pieces, such as scrums and line outs, were performed to illustrate each position and when within the game each set piece is used. In the skills training portion of the clinic, participants were introduced to passing, rucks, mauls and some contact in the form of drills. The drills were broken down to build upon one another with a logical progression. Partici-pants started with stationary passing to become familiar with body position and movement.

The next drill built on passing and incorporated passing in line or running and passing the ball. Line passing was then expanded to include switches and looping. Once passing drills were covered, the participants moved on to rucking, mauling and contact. These drills were designed to reinforce the skills needed within the game at various points and served as general overall exposure to the game.

As the clinic concluded, participants were broken down into five-man teams and play-ed touch rugby, a modified no-contact version of the game. Veterans and rookies alike were divided equally among all teams and Wygant oversaw the games and provided additional coaching during each play. During the touch rugby games, many of the skills taught earlier began to come together.

The day ended with a barbecue, which is consistent with the rugby tradition of a “third-half” after every game. Ruggers were encouraged to participate in this social aspect of the game, which makes rugby unique among competitive sports. After a match is played, the home team hosts a third-half.

The SDARFC is open to all adult males and is always accepting new players. They are a Southern California Rugby Football Union (SCRFU) Division III team, whose official season runs from January to April. Throughout the year, the SDAFC participates in social matches against International Gay Rugby Association and Board (IGRAB) teams.

SDARFC players recently participated in the Bingham Cup in New York and the team is preparing for several pre-season matches with teams from San Francisco, Phoenix and Las Vegas.

For more information about the SDARFC, visit www.sdarmada.org or attend one of their practices. The team meets on Sundays in Balboa Park for a formal practice at 11:00 a.m. at the field located at Sixth Ave. and Laurel St. Practices are also held on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Park Blvd. and Morley Field Dr. field, located between the War Memorial Building and Roosevelt Jr. High School.