Rules of rugby

Rugby is divided into Rugby Union and Rugby League where the rules differ. This sport is a close contact team game where two sets of either seven, ten or up to fifteen players really can go all out on the pitch against each other to score as many points as possible. The game is quite distinctive in that the ball in play can be handled by both hand and foot and is quite an unusual shape. As a full contact sport, it requires a variety of skills, abilities, and physical requirements for each of the different positions meaning there are opportunities for individuals of all shapes and sizes to thrive as athletes.

Worldwide, Rugby is played by men, women, boys and girls and age ranges can be from 6 years old and up. It is a grassroot sport that can begin in schools or clubs and move into the professional world.

Being a physical and close contact sport, the game to an onlooker can seem fast paced and intense - so how do you win and what are the rules?

Let’s kick it off with a breakdown of key fundamentals of the game -

• How many rules are there in Rugby?
• How do you win Rugby?
• The rules of Rugby union:
• Object of the game
• Players
• Equipment
• Scoring
• The rules of Rugby league:
• Object of the game
• Players
• Equipment
• Scoring
• What are you not allowed to do in Rugby?

How many rules are there in Rugby?

The rules of rugby may vary somewhat due to location of play, age of players and league. However, we will investigate the sport from a general perspective. The rules are known as laws, and it is usually recognised that there are 21 laws in the world of Rugby. As a close contact and substantially demanding sport, Rugby naturally presents itself with intrinsic risks.  It is the duty of the players and of the coaches assisting the game to ensure safe and fair play. Laws are provided in Rugby to ensure this, and players must recognise that they need be physically and mentally prepared to proceed with the sport and commit to safe practices. The laws range from players Rugby clothing, time, match officials and as far as the dimensions of the ball! A full breakdown of the individual laws can be found on the World Rugby Site.

How do you win Rugby?

The teams have 80 minutes of play against each other on the pitch. The 80-minutes is broken down into 2 x 40 minutes halves with a 10-minute rest interval in between. The two teams need to abide by the laws in place, demonstrate sporting spirit and through kicking, carrying, passing, or grounding the ball, aim to achieve as many points as possible. After the 80-minute period of play, the team with the most points will be the winner of the match.

The rules of Rugby Union

The Rugby Football Union was established and earned a governing body in 1870 when it gained popularity during the 19^th century. Official laws of the sport were approved in 1871. These rules included laws against professionalism – you could not be paid to play the game. By 1895, this difference of opinion divided the sport of Rugby and from here, the Rugby League was born. For a while, the rules for both the Rugby League and the Rugby Union remained the same but in time they would become different for each. Let’s start with the Rugby Union.

Object of the game

The object of Rugby Union is quite simply to score as many points as possible within the 80-minutes period of game play. Rugby allows for no stoppage time, once the 80-minutes are up, the game is finished and the team with the highest score, wins. There are several ways to score, and the points vary on how the ball is grounded behind the try line within the in-goal area. Rugby has one referee assisted by two touch judges who inform the referee when the players are out of playing boundaries. It is up to the referee to make decisions throughout the game, maintain order on the field and time keep.

Players

In Rugby Union, the teams are made up of 15 players and these are split into two groups per team. These groups are known as forwards and backs. Hooker, Second Row, Number Eight, Prop and Flanker are some of the positions of the 8 forwards. Scrum Half, Insider Centre, Fly Half, Outside Centre, Full Back and Wingers are the positions of the 7 Backs. Up to 7 substitutes are allowed.

If a player has left the pitch due to injury, only if the injury has been treated effectively can a player return to the field to resume the game

Each team must wear jerseys of the same colour with matching shorts and socks. A mouth guard/gum shield is highly recommended and advised.

Equipment

As previously mentioned, Rugby Union is a heavy contact sport and players are therefore allowed to wear gum shields, shin pads and head guards. Shoulder pads have also been introduced but must comply with the thickness and coverage restrictions laid out by World Rugby - which includes the material to be soft and the thickness to be no more than 1 cm when uncompressed.

The ball that is used is simply called a rugby ball – formerly known as a Quanco – it is well known for its unique shape. The shape is known as an elongated ellipsoid.

The grounds for which rugby is played can vary from sand to Astroturf but is usually played on grass and is known as the pitch. The pitch is split into three sections with two ‘dead goal’ areas at either end. The dead goal areas can range in size from 10 to 20 metres. The main playing area between the dead goal areas can be no more than 100 metres in length and 70 metres in width. Goal posts in the dead goal areas are the recognisable large ‘H’ shapes and usually 5 to 6 metres apart however there is no restriction on the height of the bar that joins the posts. Markings on the pitch include the centre spot which is used for restarting the game after a goal has been scored (not including a goal scored by conversion). There is also the halfway line, 22 metre line, 10 metre line, 5 metre line and dead ball line.

Scoring

There are four ways that the two teams can score in the 80-minute duration of the game. The type of goal method used will have a different number of points awarded to it. For example, 5 points are given for a successful Try. A try is when a player manages to set down the ball in the opponent’s dead ball area behind the goal. Following a Try, the teams are given the opportunity to earn 2 bonus points. This is known as a Conversion and needs the player to kick the ball between the upper posts and over the top bar of the ‘H’ shaped goal posts. These two methods are the highest and lowest scoring methods of the game for Rugby Union. The following two techniques can gain 3 points each for the team. During play, the ball can be kicked out of the hand – so long as! – the ball bounces first. This is known as a Drop Goal.  Finally, a Penalty Kick is given to a team when the opponents cause an infraction. This can gain 3 points if successful. After each try, drop goal or penalty kick the game resumes once again from the halfway line. When this happens, the team that did not score takes a drop kick. The ball goes out of play if a player is fouled during the game.

The rules of Rugby League

After breaking away due to difference of opinion, the Rugby League followed suit with similar rules that the Rugby Union had put in place, to start. However, after time, some of the rules changed and began to differ from its parent sport. Let’s explore what changes occurred.

Object of the game

There may be some rule changes between Rugby Union and Rugby League but both Rugby games require that the teams score as many points as possible through the same four methods of scoring - Try, Conversions, Drop Goal and Penalties - in the time frame of 80 minutes. As with Rugby Union, the team with the ball are aiming to move up field with the opposing team attempting to prevent this by tackling, attacking, and taking possession of the ball.

Players

For the Rugby League, there are less players played on the pitch per team than the Rugby Union. 13 players are on each team and unlike the rules for Rugby Union, up to ten substitutions can be made each side of the Rugby league instead of seven.

Equipment

Although the equipment doesn’t quite change between Rugby Union and Rugby League, it might be worth noting here one of the fundamental differences within the game between the two codes and that is The Tackle Count. In Rugby League, each team has six tackles. After the six tackles, possession of the ball is then given to the opposing team. With this in mind, more often the ball is kicked after the fifth tackle to increase chances of gaining more ground. However, in Rugby Union, tackling can continue until the opposition steals the ball or one team loses possession.

Scoring

Tries, drop goals and penalties are still the methods of scoring in Rugby League rules but the difference comes with the number of points that can be scored. The Try scoring method drops from five points to four points but maintains that two extra points can be gained for the conversion after a successful try. Drop goals are worth one point, and penalties are worth two – in contrast to Rugby Unions scoring of 3 points each.

What are you not allowed to do in Rugby?

To start the game, the ball must be kicked from the halfway line and must travel 10 metres. If the ball does not make the distance a re-kick or scrum can be requested by the receiving team.

One of the more basic laws of the game is that the player who has possession of the ball in hand can only pass backwards or sideways and not forwards. Players are permitted to tackle the opposing team player who has possession of the ball, but this is only allowed by wrapping their arms around the player to bring them down. Legs are not allowed to be used to tackle or trip opposing team players and tackles must also stay below the shoulder. Teams must not ignore the laws in place for this sport.

If the attacking players do not remain behind the ball when active, it is likely they will be called offside. Being in front of the ball is allowed however, only if the player is not interfering with the ball.

Final word

Considered a sport for all, Rugby is valued in that it builds teamwork, cooperation, and respect for all participants. It is physically demanding and an intense game however it upholds key elements to maintain discipline and strong sporting spirit.

These elements include participants meeting the demands of the game with courage and skill, enriching the lives of players with teamwork, and maintaining lifelong friendships of a shared interest. Although now professional, the game still roots itself in an era of a recreational game and being proud to maintain its ethos of ethical and fair play as well as high standards of sportsmanship.