Rugby Basics
Rugby has been called a simple game with a great number of laws. But really, it’s an easy game to play: run straight, pass sideways, tackle the man with the ball, play from your own side of the ball and when the whistle blows, follow someone who looks like they know what is going on.
Haven’t got it yet? Here are a few of the basics to help you along.
Advancing the ball
The ball can only be advanced by carrying it and running it forward, or by kicking it forward. The ball cannot be thrown forward.
Passing
As we mentioned, the ball cannot be thrown forward. Only backward or lateral passes are permitted. Dropping the ball forward is also prohibited and is called knock-on.
Flow of play
The ball is advanced by one team toward the others goal line, while the second team defends and attempts to gain possession and so go on offence.
When an attacking player is tackled, that player must immediately release the ball. Likewise, the tackling player must immediately release the tackled player.
Note: players can only be tackled if they have the ball. No form of blocking or interference is permitted.
Play is continuous in this manner (more or less) until an infraction is committed or until the ball goes out of bounds.
Restarting play
A scrum restarts the play after a forward pass or knock-on and a line out restarts after the ball travels into touch (out of bounds).
A scrum is when the forwards bind tightly together in scrum formation and push against the other team’s forwards who are also tightly bound in scrum formation.
A line out is when the forwards from both teams line-up at the spot indicated on the side of the pitch where the ball or player carrying the ball has crossed the line.
Scoring
A try is scored when there is contact between an attacking player, the ball and the ground in goal area. The ball can either be carried or kicked into the in goal area, but there must be contact between the player, the ball and the ground in order for a try to be scored.
A try is worth five points. Once a try has been scored, the scoring team has the opportunity to ‘convert’ the try by kicking the ball through the uprights.
A successful conversion is worth two points, making a converted try worth a total of seven points.
Finally, in the event of an infraction where a penalty is awarded, the team awarded the penalty can elect to kick for goal from the spot of the infraction. A successful penalty kick is worth three points.