Functional roles in open play

As the game moves from set piece to open play, the roles, responsibilities and skills required from the players changes. Players must be able to recognise the role they must assume to enable the team to be successful. These roles include (but are not limited to):

• Ball carrier
• Support runner
• Passer
• Kicker
• Tackler
• Support tackler
• Ball winner

Whilst there are a number of others, this highlights some different roles that players are asked to perform during the game in addition to their set piece roles and responsibilities.