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The Game

Rugby Guide (Click it)

Rugby is a simple game. Each side's players attempt to ground the ball beyond their opponents' goal line while their opponents attempt to stop them by tackling the person who has the ball.

Rugby is a handling game. Each side has 15 players: 8 forwards and 7 backs. The forwards deliver the ball to their backs, who advance with speed, passing it from one to another. They try to cross their opponents' goal line and touch the ball to the ground. This (worth 5 points) is a "try", because they try a kick at goal (2 more points). This kick is taken anywhere on a line perpendicular to the place of score. Play is continuous until someone scores, breaks a law, or propels the ball out of bounds (called "in touch"). Any player may run with the ball, pass it, or kick it. It is illegal to pass it forward; fumble so that it bounces forward; lie on it; throw it into touch; or hold on to it after a tackle. There is also a law against off-side play. Minor infractions result in a scrummage; blunders bring the other side a penalty kick. Armor is prohibited -- the only protective gear allowed is a thick rugby shirt and shorts. Blocking, tripping and obstructing are not allowed -- only the ball -carrier may be tackled.

One should not confuse the various rugby positions with those on an American football team, though there is a rough similarity in set play (scrums, line- outs, penalties). Rugby forwards often handle the ball and must be adept at passing and catching while backs must be prepared to occasionally ruck and maul. There are so many variables during a rugby match so there is not many programmed play-calling. Players must think and react for themselves.

POSITIONS ON THE RUGBY FIELD

THE FORWARDS

There are eight forwards on the field at once. They take part in scrums, line-o uts, and all those disorganized-looking pile-ups when each team tries to win the ball.

PROPS 1 & 3, HOOKER

With the hooker between them, the props form the front row of the scrum and are the foundation of a good team. Hookers are in the center of the front row. During a scrum, the hookers job is to hook the ball with her foot and direct it to the ba ck of the scrum in order to win the ball.

SECOND ROW 4 & 5

These are usually the tallest team members. In a game, they are seen wearing ta pe around their head to protect their ears. They are also prominent in the line-out as the y soar to catch the ball.

FLANKERS 6 & 7, 8-Man

Together they form the "back row" of the scrum, and, therefore, are always first to the action. Actually, flank forwards are backfield players in disguise, for they have only a tenuous connection with the scrum and in modern rugby their role is a glamorous one, for though their errors are hard to detect, everybody sees their brilliant contributions. When playing defense, the backs will line up flat to the eight man foot position on the field.

THE BACKS

Their purpose to do brilliant things with the ball once the forwards have provided it. They work together passing the ball back to their fellow teammates and dodge or knock over the opponent-backs in attempt to make a try (goal).

HALF BACKS 9 & 10

The scrum half follows at the heels of the forwards, throwing the ball out when they produce it. She is as vital as the quarterback and comes in for much hostile attention.

Her partner, the fly-half, must be able to catch anything she throws to her, before opening the game by running or kicking.

THREE-QUARTERS 11, 12, 13, 14

Center in the middle, wings on the ends, this quartet swings the ball laterally down the line on power plays and are required to ruck or tackle the other team during crash plays.

FULL BACK 15

The Full Back acts as safety behind the other fourteen. She must make the last-ditch tackles and catch the powerful kicks.

PLAYER NUMBERS:

The numbers on the back of the rugger's shirt correspond to the player's positions:

FORWARDS:

BACKS:

Number 9 - Scrum Half

Number 1 - Loose Head Prop

Number 10 - Fly Half/Standoff

Number 2 - Hooker

Number 11 - Wing

Number 3 - Tight Head Prop

Number 4 - Lock

Number 12 - Inside Center

Number 5 - Lock

Number 13 - Outside Center

Number 6 - Flanker

Number 14 - Wing

Number 7 - Flanker

Number 15 - Fullback

Number 8 - 8-man

PITCH

Rugby is played on a field or "pitch" 110 by 75 yards with 25 yard end zones. Goal posts are similar to those in football. Games are played with two 40-minute halves with a five-minute break in between. There are no time outs or substitutions (except for injury).

THE RUCK & THE MAUL

When a man is tackled and the ball goes to th e ground between two or more opposing players, a RUCK is formed. The rules are the same as the scrum, as a player that is bound may only use the feet to convey the ball out. If a ball is held by one or more defenders and another team-mate joins in, a MAUL is taking place. A penalty is awarded if the maul is intentionally collapsed. Teams that are constantly able to control the ball in rucks, mauls and scrums hold a mighty advantage over their opposition.

THE SCRUM

A set scrum occurs when a team is guilty of a minor infraction, or when play is stalled because the ball is being smothered in a ruck or maul. At that point the referee will ask for a scrum and both packs of forwards will bind together in the enormous huddle that causes a novice spectator to question the players' sanity. The scrum half is responsible for putting the ball in between the two packs and they, in turn, try to heel the ball with their feet through the back of their scrum to be picked up by the scrum-half and passed to the backfield.

SCORING

There are four ways to score in rugby. The try. When a player carries the ball across his opponent's goal line and touches the ball down, they are awarded A TRY and five points. The conversion. After a try is scored, the team scoring may kick the ball throug h the uprights off the ground from any point on a line perpendicular to the poin t where the ball was touched down. If successful, the kicking team is awarded t wo points. A penalty goal. A team is awarded a penalty kick if the opponent is guilty of a major penalty. The team offended against may attempt to place-kick the ball th rough the uprights from the point of penalty, which is worth three points. The dropped goal. At any time during the game, any player may attempt a drop-kick over the opponent's crossbar. This is also worth three points.

OFF-SIDE

Probably the most difficult law in rugby for the novice is the off-side rule. It is basically this: no player may participate unless he either has the ball or is behind the ball. When the ball is kicked forward by a man's team-mate from behind, that man is off-side until he either retreats behind or is passed by the kicker.

ADVANTAGE

The advantage rule states that a referee shal l not whistle for an infringement during play which is followed by an advantage gained by the non-offending team. The advantage law allows the game to keep moving providing some-thing good occurs to the side that did not break the law. If a team knocks or throws forward and their side is awarded a scrum, it is because the opposition committed an infringement first and the referee was applying advantage. Referees should indicate a penalty but not whistle it up to let the spectators know the advantage is in effect, keeping the added confusion to a minimum.

THE FIELD OF PLAY

Half-way Line: Ball is kicked off to start half and restart after score. 10-Meter Line: Located 10 meters on either side of the half-way line. Kick off must travel this distance unless the receiving team fields it.

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