Analysis of structure of attack gain occurrence in men's and women's sevens rugby

Abstract

　This study aimed to clarify the attack gain structure in Sevens Rugby, and to compare the characteristics of men and women with regard to the indicators related to breaking the defence line in attack gain, and identify the important factors of plays and patterns of ball continuity. 64 games from the top 16 teams in the Men's and Women's 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens were selected as samples. Five analytical factors were defined: Restart Plays, Area Classification, Attack Gain, Sideways Movement, and Ball Movement Counts. The results of the analysis revealed the following. 1) There was no gender difference in the frequency of attacking gains however, attack gain rates were high with defence line breaks for men and defence losing meters for women due to the women's higher tendency of moving the ball than men. 2) The variables that most influenced attack gain rate were restart plays, followed by area classification, ball movement and attack phases were less important. 3) Attack gain rate from tap kicks and turnover attack were higher, and attack gain in the own half was caused by defence losing meters, and in the opposition half was caused by defence line breaks. 4) During restart plays with a low attack gain rate at the first branch, three sideways movements for men, and four sideways movements for women caused higher defence line break rates, and attack from the middle area and changing directions increased the attack gain rate.