Rugby Football for Schools

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.