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Lesson 1
rugby rules
THE GAME OF RUGBY
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.
Lesson 2 NATIONALS
U11 2018 - 24 JUL 2018 ACSP
Lesson 3 NATIONALS SENIORS U13 2019
2 APR -24 APR 2019
Lesson 4
Lesson 5 TBA
Lesson 6 TBA
Lesson 7 TBA
Lesson 8 TBA
Lesson 9
TBA
Lesson 10 TBA
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