What is Rugby Union?
Although Rugby Union may look a simple game, there are plenty of laws and rules every player - from Sunday league right up to international level - must follow.
Some are simple, others are more complicated, But you have to be able to understand every single one of them when you are out on the pitch.
You don't want to end up in the sin-bin for bringing down a maul because you didn't realise it was against the rules.
So with the help of the 'Rules' section of the Website, you can enjoy rugby union as it is meant to be played.
THE BASICS
Duration... A game of rugby union consists of two halves of 40 minutes, with injury time added on at the end of each half. In between the two halves, there is a maximum 10-minute interval after which both team change ends. The referee's whistle indicates the start and finish of the half.
Kick off... Before the start of the match, the referee will toss a coin to decide which team will kick-off the match. The team that wins the toss will decide which end they want to attack first and whether they or the opposition will kick off at the start of the match. The game is started by a place kick or a drop kick from the middle of the halfway line. But the ball must travel 10 metres from the kick off, otherwise the opposition have the choice of whether to take a scrum or a throw in on the halfway line with the feed or throw. A drop kick from the halfway line will re-start the game after a penalty or drop goal has been scored. The team that did not score will take the kick.
Ball... A good quality rugby ball will help you improve your handling and kicking skills on and off the field. Traditionally, rugby balls were made hand-stitched leather. But it would often get very heavy when it was raining, making it very difficult to handle in slippery conditions. However, modern technology has seen the introduction of sophisticated waterproof synthetic materials which make the ball easier to handle in wet and muddy conditions. Ensure your ball is properly pumped full of air before you start practising your passing, catching and kicking on your own or with a team-mate.
Kit...
THE LAWS
Maul... The maul is about physical strength and power. The maul is when at least three players from either side are in contact together, challenging the player with the ball, moving towards a goal-line. But what makes the maul different to the ruck is the ball is not on the ground but in hand. But like the ruck, players can only join from behind the last team-mate bound to the maul. And every player in the maul must have at least one arm bound to a team-mate, otherwise the referee will award a penalty to the opposing team. The team going forwards always hold the advantage. So if a maul goes to ground and the ball does not come out quick enough, they will be given the feed at the scrum. But there are exceptions. If a player has caught the ball from a kick-off or a drop-out and is caught up in the middle of a maul inside their own 22m line, the referee will award the scrum to their side if the ball has not come out in time.
Knock on...
Forward pass...
22m drop out... This is way of re-starting play when the ball has gone over the dead-ball line. For example, if the attacking team kicks the ball too far, beyond the dead-ball line, the defending team will get the ball back. The defending team can also ground the ball in their in-goal area if a player on the other side was the last person to touch the ball. They then must then kick the ball forwards from the 22m line. Often they can put up a high kick for the forwards to get under. But they also have the option of kicking as far as they can down field. However, both of these situations depend on how good your kicker is.
Five metre scrum... The five metre scrum is one of the best ways of putting loads of pressure on your opponent's defence. It's given to the attacking side after one of the defending team has grounded the ball inside their own goal area. But it will only be given if the defender has carried or handled the ball in their own in-goal area. The other way a five metre scrum will be awarded is if the attacking team gets within five metres of the try line, but are held up by the opposition's defence. Because the attacking team has the momentum going forward, the referee will award them the feed at the scrum.
Mark... Calling the mark is a great way of relieving the pressure in defence when the opposition are on the attack inside the 22-metre line. It was introduced to give protection to full-backs and other players trying to catch high up-and-under kicks in pressure situations. A player can only make the mark when they catch a high ball inside their own 22 metre or In-Goal area. As they catch the ball, they shout "MARK!", at the the top of their voice. If they catch the ball cleanly, the referee will give that player a free kick on the spot where they caught the ball. Only the player who has called for the mark can take the kick. They then have the chance to clear their lines, much to the relief of the rest of the team. One thing to note - a mark cannot be called when a player catches the ball direct from a kick-off.
Tackling... Tackling is the only way of legally bringing down your opponent in rugby union. But there are certain laws on how you can tackle an opponent which you must follow, otherwise you will give away needless penalties which your team-mates will not appreciate. If a tackler and the ball carrier go to ground, the tackler cannot handle the ball because they are not on their feet. Only players on their feet can handle the ball. It can be tempting to bring the ball back to your side, but if the referee see this, he will award a penalty to the opposition. As soon as a tackle is made, the tackler must roll away from the player they have just brought down. Referees have been clamping down on this recently because the tackler can often slow the ball up for the opposition, helping their side to re-group in defence. So if the referee believes the tackler has not rolled away quick enough, he will award a penalty to the opposition. When you tackle an opponent, you cannot make contact with their head.
Obstruction... In rugby union, you can only tackle a player in possession of the ball. That means you cannot challenge your opponent at any other time. So if they do not have the ball, you cannot tackle them. Simple. Sometimes, a player will deliberately get in the way of an opponent without the ball because they think the attacker has a good chance of scoring a try. But if the referee sees this, the defender will be in trouble. A penalty will be awarded to the opposition and the defender could find themselves sitting in the sin-bin for 10 minutes after being shown a yellow card.
Sin-bin... This is a place you should avoid at all costs. The sin-bin is the bench where all players who have been bad sit out of the game for 10 minutes. If the referee believes a player has committed a serious foul or shown indiscipline, then he will show them a yellow card, just like in football. However, unlike football, that player must then immediately leave the pitch. They then have to sit in the sin-bin for 10 minutes while the game continues without them. This is music to the opposition's ears because they have one more player on their side.
SCORING
Try... Score a try and your team-mates, teachers and coach will be your best mates for ever. Alright, maybe not for that long, but you'll definitely be among the popular players in the team. The reason why is because a try is worth five points - the maximum number of points you can score in one go in rugby union. A try is scored when a player puts the ball on the ground with "downward pressure" (very important) inside the opposition's in-goal area between the try line and dead-ball line. Aim to score as many tries in one game as possible.
Conversion... A conversion kick is a great way of getting two bonus points after your team after have a try. The kick is taken from a point level with where the try was scored. A conversion is successful if the ball goes between the opposition's goalposts and above the crossbar. Conversions are taken from all parts of the pitch, so if you are trusted to score the extra points, practice kicking from all corners of the pitch.
Penalty... A penalty kick is a brilliant way of annoying the opposition after they have committed an offence. The referee will award the penalty from the spot where the offence occured. Your team has the choice of kicking for goal or kicking for touch. If you are not too far from the opposition's goalposts, a kick for goal is worth three points if you are successful. But to be successful, the ball has to go through the opposition's goalposts, above the crossbar. Once it does that, you get three points onto the scoreboard. But if you are too far out to kick for goal, a kick to touch is a good way of gaining ground. Better still, your team gets the throw at the line out. So don't give too many penalties away, OK?
Drop goal... A drop goal not only looks spectacular, it is also a handy way of adding three points to your team's score from open play. A drop goal is scored when a player kicks the ball from hand through the opposition's goal posts, above the crossbar. However, the ball must touch the ground between being dropped and kicked. So no cheating, otherwise the referee will have a few words to say to you.
THE POSITIONS
Introduction...
So you think all rugby players are seven foot tall with shoulders the size ofFull-back... The modern-day full-back should be the complete rugby player. The number 15 is often the last line of defence or the first player making the break in attack. You need the safest pair of hands in the team. Why? Because you are responsible for catching the opposition's high and testing kicks in attack - and catch them every time. So expect to perform under pressure when the going gets seriously tough. If you can suddenly turn defence into attack, make those important last-ditch tackles and make the extra man in attack, look no further than the full-back.
Wing... If you are the fastest runner in your team, there's only one place for you - the wing. Speed is what the winger is all about - and you need plenty of it. But to be a truly world class winger, you need to pick up those difficult passes in tight spaces. So as well as the speed of a sprinter, you need hands like glue - the ball needs to stick to you every time you get it. But don't think you're only responsibility is in attack. Often the winger can be the last line of defence, so you need to be able to make those important takcles when they count.
Inside Centre... Whether in defence or attack, the inside centre is always in the thick of the action. They offer options for the fly-half in attack, making the breaks and drawing the opposition's defence to make the space for their partner, the outside centre. And the inside centres are also the players dishing out the tackles in defence along with the forwards. Accurate handling and passing skills are a must for any centre, along with a good kicking game. Expect plenty of running as a centre.
Outside centre... If you love making the breaks and leaving the defence in your wake, the outside centre is perfect for you. If you are quick and powerful, there's no better place to be than in the middle of the pitch. They often hit the holes in the opposition's defence and make valuable ground, often offloading to the wingers after drawing the last line of defence. But it's not all about making attacking bursts - they're also the players dishing out the tackles in defence along with the forwards. Accurate handling and passing skills are a must for any centre, along with a good kicking game. Expect plenty of running as a centre.
Fly-half... The brains of the backs - and the whole team. The fly-half is probably the most influential player on the pitch. They are the players who make the big decisions under pressure - run with the ball or kick for territory. So it goes without saying you need brilliant handling skills and a kicking boot bar none, well anyone in your team at least. But the thing above all else every world-class fly-half has is a brilliant rugby brain. You need the ability to break open defences with a clever pass or clear your defensive lines under pressure. But don't think that's everything - you also need to muck in with the tackles. As well as being the best kicker in world rugby, Johnny Wilkinson is also considered the best defensive fly-half around.
Scrum-half... The scrum-half has a huge amount of responsibility resting on their shoulders. They are the link between the backs and the forwards - the players who get things going in defence and attack. is the link between the forwards and the backs. Normally acts as the 'General' for the forwards and is always in the hub of the action. A scrum half is normally quite small but with a high degree of vision and speed off the mark, and pound-for-pound is very strong. They have to able to react to situation very quickly. A key player in any side.
Loosehead prop... A loosehead prop is one of the three players at the front of the scrum. They stand on the left-hand side of the hooker. As they take most of the impact in the scrum, a prop should have plenty of strength in their upper body. This is the area of the body where all the power is created for the big
When is a scrum formed?..
A scrum is a way of re-starting play after:
The ball has been knocked on
The ball has gone forward
Accidental offside
The ball has not come out from a ruck or maul
Not everyone can join a scrum
Only eight players from each team can take part.
They are almost always the eight forwards in the side.
The scrum is formed at the place where the infringement happened.
All scrums must take place at least five metres from the touch or trylines.
Forming a scrum... The eight forwards are the players who form the scrum. The hooker, two props, two second rows, two flankers and the number eight all bind together in a
Feeding the scrum... The scrum-half is the player who gets things going in the scrum. It's their job to feed the ball into the scrum for the hooker to strike back to the number eight. The scrum-half must roll the ball in from left-hand side, or the loosehead side as it is called. From there, the scrum-half cannot handle the ball until it has come out of scrum. The six other backs must be at least five metres behind the last forward of their team. If they are not, the referee will penalise the offending team.
Hooking the ball... When it comes to scrums, the hooker is the player with all the responsibility and pressure. Their job is to strike the ball back to the number eight once the scrum-half has feed the ball into the scrum. But this is not as easy as it sounds. Why? Because the opposition's hooker is trying to steal the ball from you. Plus you've got eight huge forwards on the other side trying to push you off the ball. The hooker is the only player in the scrum who can raise their feet - otherwise they would never be able to strike the ball. However, no other player in the scrum is allowed to handle the ball until the ball is free - not even the hooker
.When is a scrum finished?... A scrum is finished once the ball has come out of the scrum. Once it has, then the opposition scrum-half can tackle their opposite number for the ball. But in some situations the number eight may dribble with the ball, keeping it in the scrum. This means the opposing scrum-half cannot get their hands on the ball because it's still in the scrum. This often happens when the team in possession have an attacking scrum near their opponent's tryline.
When is a scrum re-taken again?... The referee is the man in charge on the pitch and if he's not happy with a scrum, he can order it to be re-taken again when:
The scrum has rotated 90 degrees
The scrum has collapsed before the ball has been fed or before the ball
When is a line out formed?... The line out is another one of the awesome sites of rugby union. It is a way of re-starting play after the ball has been knocked or kicked out of play past the touch line. The line out is taken on the exact spot where the ball went out of play. It can have anywhere between three to eight players from each side in it, up to 16 in total, all aiming to get their hands on the ball for their team. So how does it work? The advantage is with the team throwing in. They get the ball because they were not the team who last touched the ball before it went out. They also get to decide how many players will make up the line out.
Forming a line out... The eight forwards and the scrum-half are the players who make up the line out. The most important players in the line out are the hooker, the two second rows and the scrum-half. They are the players responsible for getting the ball out to the backs or for the rest of the forwards to attack. But that does not mean the other players have nothing to do. Far from it. More will be explained in the next sections. The line out must be formed past the five metre line and no more than 15m in from the touchline. Both teams must have a one metre gap between them. This is very important and something referees can spot a mile off. If the referee decides one team has purposely closed the gap, he will award a penalty to the other team.
Throwing in at the line out... The hooker is usually the player with the task to throw the ball into a line out. Their job is to find the "jumpers", usually the two second rowers. But this is not as easy as it seems. Remember, the other team wants the ball just as much as your team does, so they'll be doing all they can to upset the hooker's throw. The hooker gets a call from one of the jumpers or the scrum half, usually in a code no-one except your team understands, on who to aim the throw at. They must stand behind the touch line when they make their throw. And the throw must be deadly straight, otherwise the referee will have the line out taken again, but this time the opposition get the throw in.
When is a line out re-taken?... The line out may look very simple, but it has plenty of laws every player must follow:
The ball must be thrown straight
All players not in the line out must be 10m behind the last man in the line out
No player can use a one of the opposition to use as support when they are jumping
No player is allowed to push, charge or hold another player in the line out
No player can be lifted before the ball is thrown
No jumper can use the outside of their arm to catch or deflect the ball Depending on how serious the offence is, the referee will either award a penalty or free-kick to the team who did not make the offence.
Ball not released... When a ball carrier has been tackled to the ground, they have to let go of the ball. No excuses - the laws say so, so you've got to release the ball. But often players purposely hold onto the ball when they have gone down in a tackle. This is to stop the other team getting hold of the ball and starting a quick attack. But if the referee sees a player holding onto the ball on the ground, he will immediately award a penalty to the opposing team.
Handling on the ground... This is one the most important rules of rugby union. Only players standing on their feet are allowed to handle the ball. So that means that no player lying on the ground is allowed to touch the ball. This is very important in Rucks, especially after a Maul has gone to ground or direct from a tackle.
Dangerous Rucking/Stamping... Often on TV you will see a player doing what looks like a stamp in a Ruck. Although this looks totally dangerous, it is allowed in the laws of the game as long as the player is trying to "ruck" the ball. That means they are trying to release the ball which has become trapped under a number of players. But if the referee thinks the player is Rucking too close to players on the ground, then he will award a penalty for dangerous play. So be careful when you are trying to get the ball out of a Ruck - make sure you are doing it safely.
Bringing down a maul... Mauls often turn into Rucks when the player carrying the ball falls to the ground because of all the pushing and shoving going on. However, no player can bring down a Maul on purpose. This is because it could be very dangerous and cause serious injuries to those players fighting to get their hands on the ball. So if the referee believes a player has brought a Maul down, he will award a penalty at the place where the offence happened to the other team.
Ball not released... When a ball carrier has been tackled to the ground, they have to let go of the ball. No excuses - the laws say so, so you've got to release the ball. But often players purposely hold onto the ball when they have gone down in a tackle. This is to stop the other team getting hold of the ball and starting a quick attack. But if the referee sees a player holding onto the ball on the ground, he will immediately award a penalty to the opposing team.
Handling on the ground... This is one the most important rules of rugby union. Only players standing on their feet are allowed to handle the ball. So that means that no player lying on the ground is allowed to touch the ball. This is very important in Rucks, especially after a Maul has gone to ground or direct from a tackle.
Dangerous Rucking/Stamping... Often on TV you will see a player doing what looks like a stamp in a Ruck. Although this looks totally dangerous, it is allowed in the laws of the game as long as the player is trying to "ruck" the ball. That means they are trying to release the ball which has become trapped under a number of players. But if the referee thinks the player is Rucking too close to players on the ground, then he will award a penalty for dangerous play. So be careful when you are trying to get the ball out of a Ruck - make sure you are doing it safely.
Bringing down a maul... Mauls often turn into Rucks when the player carrying the ball falls to the ground because of all the pushing and shoving going on. However, no player can bring down a Maul on purpose. This is because it could be very dangerous and cause serious injuries to those players fighting to get their hands on the ball. So if the referee believes a player has brought a Maul down, he will award a penalty at the place where the offence happened to the other team.
BODY PROTECTION
But with the correct equipment, you can minimise the chances of injuries, as well as increase your enjoyment of playing the game.
And with a little help from this guide, you can get the right protective equipment and footwear to suit your individual needs.
Head protection
Players have always used some form of head protection over the years, from full-backs to loosehead props.
But since the game turned professional in 1995, strict laws have been implemented about the use of protective equipment on the field of play.
Ever since October 2000, The International Rugby Board (IRB), the game's governing body, must approve any form of head protection.
Helmets are usually made from light plastic materials capable of withstanding high impact, often used by front row forwards to prevent blows to the head and damage to their ears.
The most important thing to remember if you want to wear head protection is to make sure it is comfortable - otherwise it will cause yourself unnecessary pain and injury.
If you are a front row forward, make sure the cap will not cause you any problems in the scrum.
If you can, scrum down with a friend when you are trying on different models.
Mouth Gaurd is the most important piece of protective equipment a rugby player should own.
You've seen pictures of rugby players missing various teeth. You don't want to join them, do you?
The gum shield not only protects your teeth and gums during physical contact, it can reduce damage around the jaw and incidences of concussion.
As every mouth is different, so every gum shield should be moulded to fit perfectly around the top half of a player's mouth.
The best way of doing this is to go and see your dentist, who will ensure the shield is right for your mouth.
The other type of gum shield widely available is the "boil in the bag" variety which is moulded using hot water.
Place the warm shield in your mouth and suck on it for three minutes until it has moulded to the shape of your upper teeth.
Be careful though, as an eager mouth will inevitably end up being a burned mouth.
Upper body protection is a relatively new introduction into rugby union ever since the dawn of the professional era.
Designed to withstand the physical intensity of modern day rugby union, upper body protection is becoming increasingly popular among backs as well as forwards.
Like headgear, all upper body protection must be approved by the IRB.
It should be made of thin materials and must be worn under a player's jersey.
The actual padding must cover the shoulder and collar bone only and can be no thicker than one centimetre when uncompressed.
Again comfort is the most important factor when considering upper body protection.
Make sure it fits you well, otherwise it will be extremely uncomfortable on the field of play, as well as increasing your chance of serious injury.
But remember, wearing body protection doesn't mean you are invincible and can do things others rugby players can't - you'll do yourself more damage to yourself if you think like that.
They also need to be lightweight, comfortable and durable - all at the same time.
Traditionally, jerseys were made from cotton, which would often get very heavy if it was raining.
But technology has seen the introduction of various new lightweight water-resistant, synthetic fibres in modern jerseys.
Although your rugby team/school will provide your jerseys for competitive matches, it is worth buying one for training.
Make sure you get the right fit - too small and it will rip, too big and it will affect your performance.
They are also becoming a fashion item, increasingly worn with jeans.
However, it is entirely up to you if you want to wear your school jersey outside of school hours.
Second row forwards may want to invest in a pair of lineout shorts, a relatively new introduction in rugby union.
They have reinforced stitching and stripes on the inside to improve lifting in the line out.
Again, shorts should be comfortable - tight shorts are not only embarrassing, but also increase the chances of sustaining a serious injury.
Traditional rugby boots are very similar to football boots, but their most distinguishing feature is a high cut designed to give extra support to the ankle.
However, more and more players are tending to favour football style boots, especially backs, who favour the low cut for extra mobility.
So it is important to understand what position you are playing before you make a decision on what kind of rugby boot you want to play in.
Choosing a pair of boots...
Be more concerned with finding boots that fit you than those which may look the flashiest.
A player will stand out because of their ability rather than the boots they are wearing.
It is important to first of all understand the shape of your feet and your running style.
Knowing whether you are flat-footed or have a high arch should have a bearing when you come to deciding which boot to purchase.
Ideally rugby boots will fit snugly, although during teenage years with feet still growing it is advisable to allow some room to compensate.
Also, different players prefer different fits.
As forwards rely on lower body strength to provide the power in scrums, rucks and mauls, they need additional support around the ankle for extra protection to help prevent foot injuries.
Kickers prefer a right fitting boot because it gives them a better feel for the ball, while props will favour a high ankle cut for extra support in scrums.
It is also advisable to wear the same style socks you will be wearing on the pitch when you are trying on a boot for size.
Uppers...
Leather and synthetic boots are both available in an expanding market.
There are advantages with each and you should make your own judgement by trying both.
Leather moulds itself to the shape of your feet but can stretch out of shape in wet conditions.
Synthetic boots are often lighter and less expensive. Try and find soft uppers, this will prevent potential injuries - you may even find that a boot that combines leather and synthetics is best for you.
Screw-in studs...
This type of boot tends to be popular because it offers a player the opportunity to adjust their footwear depending on the conditions.
If the pitch is particularly muddy then it is a good idea to use a longer set of studs, changing to shorter studs on a drier day.
And an extra set of studs can be purchased far cheaper than another pair of boots.
When changing or tightening studs it is a good idea to apply a bit grease to the thread to prevent rusting.
Studs...
As rugby is a full contact sport, wearing the wrong kind of studs can do you - or a member of the opposition - a lot of harm.
That's why all studs must conform to a certain standard set by the International Rugby Board (IRB).
Referees will check whether your boots have any sharp edges or ridges, but it is also your duty as a responsible rugby player to ensure your boots and studs are properly maintained.
A good quality rugby ball will help you improve your handling and kicking skills on and off the field.
Traditonally, rugby balls were made hand-stitched leather.
But it would often get very heavy when it was raining, making it very difficult to handle in slippery conditions.
However, modern technology has seen the introduction of sophistcated waterproof synthetic materials which make the ball easier to handle in wet and muddy conditions.
Ensure your ball is properly pumped full of air before you start practising your passing, catching and kicking on your own or with a team-mate.
