What is challenging?

When a player is challenging for the ball, they are attempting to take it from an opponent.

A successful challenge can result in a player fully winning the ball and gaining possession, see the ball go out of play or become available for any player to collect. 

It does not necessarily have to result in a change of possession, though this is, of course, the ideal outcome.

Why do we need to challenge?

The main purpose of challenging is to steal the ball from the opposition. After all, if the opposition does not have the ball, they cannot score.

There are also more nuanced reasons why we challenge.

To stop the opposition progressing

In some situations, a player challenging for the ball will prevent their opponent from advancing and penetrating a defensive line.

In this particular situation, the challenge also allows the team to remain compact and ‘in shape’.

If an opponent is able to bypass a player, it will often result in a team-mate having to vacate their position to engage the opposition player with the ball, resulting in gaps in the defensive lines.