The sport of Rugby is
often referred to as the "father" of American football. Rugby started
at least 70 years before American football and football evolved
with many of the same principles, strategies and tactics. However,
there are several obvious differences.
Click on one of the
following to find out about:
A general description of the game
Field of play
The rugby ball
Players and positions
Starting the game
Moving the ball
Scoring
Restarting play
Offside law
Tackles, rucks and
mauls
Rugby Glossary
GENERAL
DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME
Rugby is played at a fast pace, with
few stoppages and continuous possession changes. All players on
the field, regardless of position, must be able to 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 only five substitutions per game allowed for each
team. A rugby match consists of two 40-minute halves. Finally, rugby
is considered to be a gender equity sport as approximately 25% of
all players in the United States 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 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 (3, 4 or 5) for
both youth and adult players. Like footballs, rugby balls are oval
in shape, however are rounder and less pointed than footballs to
minimize the erratic bounces we see in football.
PLAYERS
& POSITIONS
A rugby team has 15 players on the
field of play, both American football and soccer have 11 players
on each team. In rugby, each team is numbered the exact same way.
The number of each player signifies that player's position. Players
numbered 1-8 are forwards, who are typically the larger, stronger
players of the team whose main job is to win possession of the ball.
These players are similar in size and abilities as American football
linebackers and lineman. Players numbered 9-15 are backs, who tend
to be the smaller, faster and more agile players. Their main role
is to exploit possession of the ball that is won by the forwards,
similar to the roles of American football's running backs, wide
receivers and quarterbacks.
STARTING
THE GAME
Just like in American football, rugby
is started with a kickoff to the opponent from mid-field. Provided
that the ball travels beyond the 10 meter line, any player of either
team may gain possession of the ball.
MOVING THE
BALL
There is no blocking in rugby. Rugby
does not have downs, and a team is not required to reach 10 yards
and stop. Play is continuous like soccer. The person with the ball
leads the attack. In rugby there are several ways to move the ball.
Any player may carry, pass or kick the ball. Play is not stopped
and continues when the ball hits the ground or when a player is
tackled. The ball carrier must release the ball when tackled and
roll out of the way so that other players on their feet can play
the ball.
Running:
When running the ball, players may continue to run until they are
tackled, step out of bounds or run beyond the goal line (see scoring
a try). Players run the ball to advance toward the opponent's goal
line.
Passing:
The ball may be passed to any other 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 gain 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:
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
foul or anywhere on a line straight behind that point. The ball
can 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 at any time 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 1-meter
(3 feet) apart from one another. A player of the team not responsible
for the ball going out of bounds 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 as they
jump to gain possession of the ball.
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.
OFFSIDE
LAW
Probably one of the more challenging
aspects about rugby for the first time observer is the offside law.
Like soccer, the offside line is continually moving up and down
the pitch in rugby and varies according to the aspect of play. In
general play, 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.
In the lineouts previously discussed, the offside lines are 10 meters
back on either side from a line drawn across the field from where
the ball is thrown in. At a scrum the offside lines are drawn across
the field through the feet of the last person in each team's scrum.
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. The player must release the ball and roll away from it to
allow other players on their feet play the ball.
A player who
is tackled to the ground must try to make the ball available immediately
so that play can continue. Supporting players from both teams (one
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, because a ruck forms offside lines. These offside lines
are the same as in the scrum and everyone must get back onsides
in order to rejoin play. This opens up space into which the attacking
team can move the ball forward.
A Maul is formed
with a similar gathering of players, except the player in possession
of the ball is not brought to the ground (not tackled) but it held
up by an opponent and one his/her own players converge on him/her.
This creates offside lines through the feet of the last players
on each side. Players from each team must retreat behind these offside
lines if they are to take part in any subsequent play. The maul
ends when the ball emerges.
RUGBY GLOSSARY
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 defending 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 and only occasionally do teams have to play short
handed. 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
a player cannot attempt a kick at goal to try to score three points.
A player must restart with a tap kick or attempt to kick the ball
out of bounds. If the kick is made from in front of the 22 meters
(25 yards) line and goes directly out of bounds, the lineout occurs
back where the kick was first kicked. If the ball bounces out of
bounds, or if the kick was taken from behind the 22 meter (25 yards)
line the resulting lineout is where the ball crossed the touch line.
Sin Bin: On occasion, the referee will send a player to the
Sin Bin (behind one of the in goal areas) for a specified period
of time, for serious and/or repeated infringements. 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 7's
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 Seven's 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).
Try
line:
The end boundary of the field (goal
line).
22-Meter
line:
Is a line 22 meters (25 yards) from
the try line. If a kick is made from behind the "22", the opposing
team gets a lineout where the ball went out of bounds. If the kick
was made in front of the "22", the resulting lineout is from the
point of the kick if the ball goes directly out of bounds.
