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An Overview |
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For a summary of how to play the game - and the rules that govern it - click on the links below.
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At first glance, the game of rugby can seem very confusing to a newcomer. For those not familiar with rugby, we've put together a summary of the rules or laws of the game below. We think it provides a quick way to learn the basics of the game. For the complete set of rugby laws, check the International Rugby Board (IRB) website by clicking
here.
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The object |
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Like most games, the object is to score more points than the opposing team. |
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The teams |
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Two teams are made up of 15 players aside. Each team is usually divided into two groups made up of eight forwards and seven backs.
The positions and names are shown below. Forwards appear in blue and backs in grey.
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Moving the ball |
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The ball cannot be thrown forward; it can only be moved ahead by running or kicking the ball. A ball carrier is stopped when tackled. When tackled and held the ball carrier must instantly release the ball - setting it on the ground nearby. Failure to release the ball is a penalty and the ball is turned over to the opposing team. If a team mate is nearby, he or she can pick it up, kick it, run with it or pass it to a team mate. If an opponent can get there first, he or she can regain possession. A player who is tackled - but not held - may get up again and continue carrying the ball.
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Player positioning from a scrum |
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The forwards participate in scrums while the backs play in a line set back from the forwards. For the most part, forwards work to retain possession while advancing the ball and creating space for their backs (back-liners). Backs can then exploit openings in the opposing defensive line space by creating mismatches and overlaps - situations where the offensive players outnumber or out-position the defenders opposite. By creating and exploiting space, a team manufactures it's best scoring opportunities.
The game has evolved - and continues to evolve. Fixed positional roles are no longer defined in constant terms. Today's players are expected to develop a full range of skills - some of them once considered essential only for certain positions. Multi-faceted players that have speed, power, precision kicking and superior ball-handling skills are the rule - and no longer the exception -- of today's fast-paced game. The highest form of the modern game combines refined individual skills and stamina. When well-executed, it creates an opportunistic team totally committed to supporting and working together.
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Time |
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The game has two forty minutes halves. The referee has discretion to add any amount of injury time that has been lost from injuries during the game onto a regular eighty minute time-period.
To find all of the laws of the game set out by the International Rugby Board (IRB), click here.
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