How is Rugby Played?
Ever thought about getting into rugby? Or maybe you just keep one eye on the TV during the 6 nations and want to know what the hell is going on?
Use our guide here to learn the basics of Rugby.
So firstly, there are various flavours of rugby; Rugby Union, Rugby League, Rugby 7s. There are distinctive differences to each type of rugby (known as rugby ‘codes’) but we’ll focus on Rugby Union here.
How is Rugby Union Played?
The 80-minute game is played with two teams, each fielding fifteen players. The aim is to carry, pass or kick the ball to each end and score as many points as possible. The team with the most points wins. Easy.
Each team is only allowed seven substitutions per game. Once a player is substituted, they cannot re-join the game, unless they have gone off for a blood injury to get patched up.
The game begins with a kick-off which is taken from the centre of the pitch. The team with the ball will aim to score a try once the ball is in play. A try is scored when a player touches the ball to the ground in the opponent's try line. The team is then awarded five points. After a try is scored, the team is given the opportunity to score a goal by kicking the ball over the opponents cross-bar and in between the goal posts, scoring an additional two points, also known as a conversion. The ball must be kicked in-line to where the ball was touched down.
If the opposing team commits a penalty at any time, the offended team can attempt a penalty kick for three points, either at the goal or a drop kick at the goal from anywhere in the field of play.
During the game, players move forward towards the opposition try line, however the ball cannot be passed forward. The player must pass the ball backwards to his teammates while moving forward. The aim of the defenders is to stop the attackers moving forward by tacking a player with the ball. Once a player is tackled, they must immediately pass or release the ball and move away from it.
What are the positions in rugby?
A rugby team has 15 positions. Each one wears a specific number and has individual tactical responsibilities.
Forwards: These players tend to be the heavyweights of the team because they do a lot of the pushing, pulling, and scrambling and use their bulk and strength to win possession of the ball.
1: Loose-Head Prop
2: Hooker
3: Tight-Head Prop
4: Second Row Lock
5: Second Row Lock
6: Blind-Side Flanker
7: Open-Side Flanker
8: Number 8
Backs: These players tend to be faster than the forwards that run with the ball or kick down the field as they attack.
9: Scrumhalf
10: Fly-half
11: Winger (Left)
12: Inside Centre
13: Outside Centre
14: Winger (Right)
15: Fullback
How do you score in rugby?
The aim is to score more points than the opposition team. Points are scored in 4 ways:
Try: The most valuable play is to score a try, which means touching the ball down passed the opponent’s try line. A try is worth five points and then you can go for a conversion kick.
Conversion Kick: This kick is worth an additional two points. The conversion kick is taken from a spot in line with where the ball was originally grounded, so scoring as close to the posts as possible is best.
Penalty Kick: Penalties for various infractions can be used to take a kick at goal, which is worth three points.
Drop Goal: A drop goal, which occurs when the player drops the ball on the ground and then kicks it just as it bounces, is worth three points if it goes over the posts.
What are the rugby laws?
There are many weird and wonderful laws of the game, and the only way to get a grip on them is to keep watching or playing rugby to get used to the different refereeing decisions. Here are just some of the main laws which you might come across:
Tackling: When a tackle is made on an attacking player, the tackler must release the tackled player, who then releases the ball so that players who are on their feet can use it.
Offside: Specific offside laws exist for different phases of play, but essentially players can’t be involved if they’re in front of a teammate who last played the ball or are behind the ball when the opposition has it.
Scrum: A set piece formed by the front eight players of each team. The ball is thrown into the middle of the pack and the players push against each other to contest for possession of the ball. The hooker’s job is to hook the ball with their feet to the back of the pack. The scrum ends when one team gains possession of the ball and moves down the field.
Line Out: Both teams line up next to each other and the hooker then throws the ball down the middle of the line. Each player then tries to gain possession of the ball.
Common Infringements
Offside: A player is offside in general play if they are in front of a teammate who is carrying the ball, or in front of a teammate who last played the ball. It is also illegal to kick the ball to a teammate that is down-field from the kicker.
Forward pass: An illegal pass to a player who is ahead of the ball; a player is not allowed to pass the ball forward to a team-mate.
Knock on: If a player drops the ball ‘forward’ – that is, towards the opposing team’s tryline – or loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, a scrum is set, with the non-offending team getting the scrum feed.
High Tackle: Tackling the ball carrier above shoulder height is illegal and you will concede a penalty (or worse, a red card!)
Failure to Release: Not letting go of the ball when tackled (or the player when tackling)
Foul play: Play deemed by the referee as being dangerous, obstructive, unfair play or misconduct. The offending player is penalised, possibly sent to the ‘sin-bin’ for 10 minutes (a yellow card) or even sent off for the rest of the game (a red card).
There is obviously much more to think about - feel free to add your questions below and we’ll try to answer them. IF you want a more in-depth look at the laws, they’re published on the website of rugby’s international governing body - World Rugby.
