Three years ago, I began playing rugby. Simultaneously, my dad began watching rugby. But there was a disconnect: While my rugby knowledge was exponentially increasing as I played, my dad was simply watching my games for the sake of watching my games. He was enthralled by the big hits and constant action of the game, yet, for much of it, he did not know what was going on.
After playing for a while, I found that this lack of understanding of the game was common. I was discomforted by this fact. Despite the sport’s complexity, a basic understanding of the game can illuminate its beauty. Further than that, a basic understanding of the game can allow you to enjoy watching the sport beyond its sheer physicality.
If you’ve found yourself wondering how the game really works, here are the basics that can help anyone, regardless of sport’s knowledge, understand the game of rugby.
The format of the game
There are two types of rugby: 15s (or 15-a-side) and sevens. The number attached to the name refers to the number of players on each side. These number variations create differences in the format of matches (or games), such as the duration of the match, but the basics are the same. Within 15s, there are two types of position groups: forwards (players No. 1-8), which are sometimes referred to as a pack, and backs (players No. 9-15). The numbers define their position within each group and on the field.
The goal of the game
In rugby, a “try” is a score worth five points and is only granted when a player touches the ball down into the try zone (a rugby player’s word for end zone). The goal of any match is to score tries and prevent the opponent from scoring tries. The touching down of the ball is important because after scoring a try, the scoring team can score two more points by kicking the ball through a field goal post. This is called a conversion, which takes place in line with where the ball was placed down in the try zone. After this sequence is finished, the opposing team kicks the ball off back to the same team that scored. Points can also be earned by kicking a field goal worth three points.
Moving the ball
The ball cannot be passed forward. The only way to move the ball downfield is throwing the ball backward to a teammate and running forward. If the ball is passed forward, then a scrum is awarded to the opposing team. A scrum will also be awarded to the opposing team if any player hits the ball forward, which is called a “knock on.”
The scrum
The scrum occurs between the two forward packs, and is a battle for the two to three meters in front of them. During the scrum, each team’s forwards bind together. Then, after the referee calls “Crouch! Set! Bind!” all eight forwards work together to drive back the opposing eight forwards. As this battle is occurring, the scrumhalf (player No. 9, a back) on the team who has possession rolls the ball into the scrum to begin open play.
Open play
Open play is constant movement. It consists of consecutive phases of moving the ball to gain meters, which is the equivalent to gaining yards in American football. A phase ends when the ball carrier is tackled. Once the ball carrier is tackled, the defending team has an opportunity to steal the ball, known as a poach. To protect the ball and its carrier, the offensive support runners create a “ruck” by standing over and around the tackled runner. Defenders can also counter-ruck to create disruption or attempt to steal the ball.
Lineouts
If a ball carrier is tackled out of bounds, or if the ball is kicked out of bounds (known as “kicked into touch”), then each forward pack engages in a lineout. During a lineout, each forward pack lines up five meters from the touch line (like a side line), creating a small, open channel between the two packs. The team’s hooker (player No. 2, a forward) throws the ball in a straight line through the channel from outside the touch line, giving a chance for each team’s forwards to gain possession. One of the forwards often becomes a jumper, meaning they are lifted into the air by two of their teammates in an attempt to catch the ball higher in the air. In the instance of the hooker’s throw not being straight, then the lineout is restarted with the ball given to the other team.
Common penalties
Offsides penalties occur when a defender is in front of a ruck. However, this does not necessarily mean open play will stop. If the offensive team continues to advance the ball forward, play will continue with the team having advantage, so if there is a stoppage of play, the offensive team will receive the ball and go back to the spot of the penalty, with the defending team 10 meters away. The 10-meter penalty is also awarded for tackling penalties, such as high tackles, which are tackles above the chest area that could risk injury to the head or neck. High tackles may also result in a yellow or a red card given to the tackler, depending on the severity of the penalty. A yellow or red card will result in further penalty to the player who received the card.
