SPECTATORS GUIDE TO RUGBY

The sport of Rugby is often referred to as the "father" of American football. Football evolved with many of the same principles, strategies and tactics. However, there are several obvious differences.

Rugby is played at a fast pace with few stoppages and continuous possession changes. All players on the field, regardless of position, can run, pass, kick and catch the ball. Likewise, all players must also be able to tackle and defend, making each position both offensive and defensive in nature. There is no blocking of the opponents like in football, and there are a maximum of seven substitutions allowed per team. A rugby match consists of two 40-minute halves and is considered to be a gender equity sport as approximately 25 percent of all players in the U. S. are female.

FIELD OF PLAY

Rugby is played on a field, called a pitch, that is longer and wider than a football field, more like a soccer field. A typical pitch is 100 meters (110 yards) long and 70 meters (75 yards) wide. Additionally, there are 10-22 meter end zones, called the in-goal area, behind the goalposts. The goalposts are 'H'-shaped cross bars located on the goal line and are the same size as American football goalposts.

THE BALL

The rugby ball is made of leather or other similar synthetic material that is easy to grip and does not have laces. Rugby balls are made in varying sizes (three, four or five) for both youth and adult players. Like footballs, rugby balls are oval in shape, but are rounder and less pointed than footballs to minimize the erratic bounces seen in football.

PLAYERS & POSITIONS

On the field of play, both American football and soccer have 11 players per team. Rugby has 15 players with those same players playing both offense and defense. In rugby, each team is numbered the exact same way. The number of each player signifies that player’s position. Players numbered one-eight are forwards, typically the larger, stronger players of the team whose main job is to win possession of the ball. They would be the equivalent to American football linebackers and lineman. Players numbered nine-15 are backs, the smaller, faster and more agile players. Their main role is to exploit possession of the ball won by the forwards. Backs may be equated to running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks in American football.

	Forwards		Backs
1	Loose Head Prop	9	Scrum Half
2	Hooker	10	Fly Half/Standoff
3	Tight Head Prop	11	Wing
4	Lock	12	Inside Center
5	Lock	13	Outside Center
6	Blind Side Flanker	14	Wing
7	Open Side Flanker	15	Fullback
8	Number Eight

 

STARTING THE CAME

Just as in American football, rugby begins with a kickoff to the opponent from mid-field. Provided that the ball travels beyond the 10-meter line, any player from either team may gain possession of the ball.

MOVING THE BALL

Unlike American football, rugby, has no blocking. Additionally, rugby does not have downs and it is not required to reach 10 yards and stop. Rugby is continuous like soccer. The person with the ball leads the attack and there are several ways to move the ball. Any player may carry, pass or kick the ball and play is not stopped .and therefore continues when the ball hits the ground or when a player is tackled.

Running: When running the ball, players may continue to run until they are tackled, step out of bounds or run beyond the goal line. Players run the ball to advance toward the opponent's goal line.

Passing: The ball may be passed to any player. However, it may only be passed laterally or backward, never forward. Players pass the ball to an open teammate to keep it in play and further advance it.

Kicking: Any player may kick the ball forward at any time. Once the ball is kicked, players of either team, regardless of whether or not the ball hits the ground, may gctin possession. Players typically kick the ball to a teammate in an effort to advance it or to the opposing team to obtain relief from poor field position.

SCORING

There are four ways for a team to score points in rugby:

Try: Five points are awarded to a team for touching the ball down in the other team's in-goal area. This is much like a touchdown in American football.

Conversion: Following a try, two points are awarded for a successful kick through the goal posts. The attempt is taken on a line, at least 10 meters, straight out from the point where the ball was touched down. This is like an extra point in American football.

Penalty Kick: Following a major law violation, the kicking team, if in range, has the option to "kick for points." Three points are awarded for a successful penalty kick. The kick must be from the point of the penalty or anywhere on a line straight behind that point. The ball con be played if the kick fails.

Drop Goal: Three points are awarded for a successful drop kick. A drop kick may be taken from anywhere on the field during play. A drop goal is similar to a field goal in football; however, in rugby the kick is made during the course of normal play. The ball is alive if the kick fails.

RESTARTING PLAY

There are two methods of restarting play following a stoppage caused by either the ball going out of bounds or because of an infraction of the laws.

Line-Out: If the ball goes out of bounds, it is restarted with a line-out. Both teams form a line perpendicular to the touchline and one-meter (three feet) apart from one another,' A player of the non-offending team calls a play and throws the ball in the air in a straight line between the two lines. Players of each team may be supported in the air by their teammates to gain possession of the ball. This is similar to a jump ball in basketball.

Scrum: Rugby's unique formation, the forerunner of the American football line of scrimmage, is the method used to restart the game after the referee has whistled a minor law violation. A bound group of players from each team form a "tunnel" with the opposition. The non-offending team puts the ball into the tunnel by rolling it into the middle and each team pushes forward until one player is able to hook the ball with the feet and push it to the back row players of his/her team. The scrum half then retrieves the ball and puts it into play.

OFFSIDES

One of the more challenging aspects about rugby for a first time rugby observer is the offside law. Similar to soccer, the offside line is continually ' moving up and down the pitch. In most instances, the ball creates the offside line and players are not permitted to participate in play if they are on the opposing teams side of the ball. Simply being offside is not a penalty, but attempting to participate in the game from an offside position is.

TACKLES, RUCKS AND MAULS

Players in possession of and carrying the ball may be stopped by being tackled by the opposing team. Players are tackled around the waist and legs and, in general, may not be tackled higher. Once a player is tackled, however, play does not stop as it does in football.

A player who is tackled to the ground must try to make the ball available immediately so that play can teams (one from each continue. Supporting players from each team) converge over the ball on the ground, binding with each other and attempt to push the opposing players backwards in a manner similar to a scrum. This situation is known as a ruck. The ball may not be picked up by any player, until the ball emerges out of the ruck. The ruck ends and play continues. A team that can retain possession after the tackle and the ensuing ruck has a huge advantage.

A Maul is formed with a similar gathering of players, except the player in possession of the ball is simply held up, and not tackled. The maul ends when the ball emerges.

OTHER RUGBY TERMS

Drop Kick: A kick made when the player drops the ball and it bounces off the ground prior to being kicked. Worth three points if it travels through the goalposts. Drop kicks are also used to restart play after a score.

Forward Pass: A violation that usually results in a scrum to the non-offending team.

Infringement: A violation of a law.

Knock-On: The accidental hitting or dropping of the ball forward, The infringement is the same as that for a forward pass; a scrum to the other team.

Non-Contact Rugby: A Version of rugby designated to introduce the game to first time players (touch rugby). Two hand-tag replaces the tackle. `

Penalties: Penalties occur regularly in rugby. Unlike other sports there typically aren't yardage penalties an teams do not have to play shorthanded. Instead, the non-offending team is usually awarded a choice to kick the ball to gain field advantage. Some of the more important penalties are listed below:

Penalty Kick: Awarded after a serious infringement of the law. Offenders are required to retreat 10 yards while the opposing team is given the opportunity to restart play unopposed. Teams will often kick the ball up field and out of bounds to gain field advantage. When they do this, play is restarted as a lineout where the ball goes out of bounds. If in range, they may attempt a kick at the goal posts, worth three points. Finally, they may simply tap the ball with their foot and run with it.

Free Kick: This is awarded after a less serious infringement of the law. The free kick is similar to the penalty kick except if the kick is made more than 22 meters (25 yards) from the defending goal line and goes directly out of bounds, the lineout occurs where the kick was made. Outside of 22 meters (25 yards) if the ball goes out of bounds, it goes back to where the kick was awarded. Also, a free kick may not be kicked at goal for three points.

Sin Bin. On occasion, the referee will send a player behind one of the in-goal areas (the Sin Bin) for serious and/or repeated infringements for a specified period of time. The team is required to play short-handed until the referee permits the player to return. This penalty is fairly rare, but used by the referees to maintain control of the game.

Send-Offs: In extreme cases a referee may send a player off the field for dangerous or reckless play. A player who has been sent off is banned from that game and is not permitted to return or be replaced.

Put In: Rolling the ball down the center of the scrum tunnel by the scrum half.

Sevens: An abbreviated game of rugby that follows the same laws except a 7s team consists of only seven players and each half is seven minutes long. Much like a game of three-on-three full court basketball, it's a wide-open contest. Because of its wide open style of play, the 7s version of rugby is a very entertaining game to watch.

Set Piece: A term for scrums and lineouts because these are the only choreographed plays of the game.

Support Players: Players who position themselves to increase the ball transfer options of the ball carrier.

Tap and Play Kick/Move: A gentle kick to oneself, followed by a pick up, used to restart play after either a penalty or free kick is awarded.

Throw In: Throwing the ball down the middle of a lineout.

Touchline: The side boundary of the field (sideline).

22-Meter Line: Balls kicked out of bounds from behind the "22" are restarted by a lineout at the spot where the ball went out. Balls kicked out of bounds from in front of the 22 are restarted by a lineout where the ball was kicked. The exception is a ball kicked out of bounds immediately after a penalty has been warded. In this case, the lineout is held where the ball went out and the kicking team retains the throw-in.

For more information about Rugby or to learn where to play Rugby in your area contact:

 

USA Rugby

3595 East Fountain Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80910

719-637-1022

Fax 719-637-1315

www.usarugby.org info@usarugby.org