Up and under
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Up and under is a tactical manoeuver in the sport of rugby football in which the ball is kicked high and short onto or behind the defending team. In rugby union the up and under is also called a garryowen after the Irish rugby club which often used this tactic.
This manoeuver allows the attacking team to disrupt the defensive line, take the defense's pressure off themselves and put offensive pressure on their opponents. However, the kicking team risks losing possession of the ball, after which the opposing team may counter attack. In rugby union, the opposing team may choose to call for a mark if the ball is behind the opposition's 22 metre line line and caught cleanly.
In rugby league, this type of kick is usually employed close to the opposition's tryline as an attacking play, and is often referred to as a bomb
[edit] References
- Rugby league: Polish up your punt kick BBC website 15 September 2005
- Ruby union: Stephen Jones on kicking tactics BBC website 3 November 2005
- Steve James Wales all but hang on until bitter end Daily Telegraph 19 February 2006. The article includes an unqualifed use of the phrase garryowen showing that it is in common usage "Phillips, all bristling aggression, broke free from a scrum on halfway and Wales might have scented more than the Jones penalty which gave them the lead on four minutes, after his garryowen had caused mayhem for Aurelien Rougerie and Thomas Castaignede."
