Penalty decisons

Penalty plays are perhaps the most unproductive facet of American collegiate rugby. All teams try them, they rarely work and usually result in static ball or worse a turnover. The reason is most attacking teams approach penalty situations like an American football play--they stop, huddle-up call a play and then attack. While this is going on the opposition sets its defense, and waits for the slow moving attack. You will rarely see an international team run a penalty play. Here is a better way to approach a penalty awarded.

1. Threaten quick-tap: as soon as the whistle blows every attacking player should be ready to run a quick tap. Scrum half with put ball on ground where ref sets the make, gently tap it with foot, and pass immediately to a player running at full speed. The quicker the better-catch the other team off guard. If another player is certain they can create a dynamic attack they can tap and go.
2. Take points--if in range
3. Kick to touch
4. Take a scrum--little known rule is that a team can take a scrum


If you adopt nothing else adopt this decision cycle, practice executing it quickly and making quicker decisions. Penalty plays are evil.