If you’re a beginner and you’ve wondered what the basic rules of rugby are, understand the game with this rugby for dummies cheat sheet guide!

Welcome to the wild and wonderful world of rugby! If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head at the sight of players tackling each other on the field, you’re not alone. Rugby can seem like a chaotic dance of brute force and strategy, but fear not! This guide is here to transform you from a rugby rookie to a rule-savvy fan.

So, let’s break down the basics of this exhilarating sport. Just grab your jersey, put on your game face, and get ready to tackle the rules of rugby!

What are the basics of rugby?

First things first, rugby is played on a large rectangular field, known as a pitch, which is 100 metres long by 70 metres wide. The game consists of two teams, each with 15 players in rugby union or 13 players in rugby league.

The main goal is to score more points than the opposing team by the end of the match. Points are scored by carrying the ball into the opponent’s try zone and touching it down (a try), kicking the ball through the goalposts (conversion, penalty, or drop goal), and maintaining possession.

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What are the roles and positions in rugby?

Each player has a specific role on the team, and their position dictates their responsibilities. These break down into:

• Forwards: The forwards are primarily responsible for scoring in rugby, playing in the front half of the field. These players are typically larger and stronger, focusing on physical contests like scrums and rucks. You can breakdown it down into:

• • Props: These players are the powerhouses in the scrum, using their strength to push against the opposing team.
  • Hooker: Positioned between the props, the hooker is responsible for winning the ball in the scrum and throwing it in during lineouts.
  • Locks: Tall and strong, locks are key players in the scrum and lineouts, providing the muscle to lift teammates and secure the ball.
  • Flankers: Agile and fast, flankers are crucial in both defence and attack, often involved in tackling and securing the ball.
  • Number Eight: This player controls the ball at the back of the scrum and is a versatile attacker and defender.

• Backs: Generally faster and more agile, backs act as both the defence and are responsible for creating scoring opportunities. Positions include:

• • Scrum-half: The link between forwards and backs, the scrum-half quickly passes the ball from the scrum or ruck to the fly-half.
  • Fly-half: Often the playmaker, the fly-half decides whether to kick, pass, or run with the ball, directing the team’s attack.
  • Centers: These players are strong and fast, breaking through the opposition’s defence and creating opportunities for the wings.
  • Wings: Speedy and agile, wings are usually the ones scoring tries by outrunning the defence.
  • Full-back: The last line of defence, the full-back catches high balls, tackles opponents, and often joins the attack.

How do you score points in rugby?

There are several ways to score points in rugby:

• Try: This is the most valuable score, worth 5 points. A try is scored when a player successfully touches the ball to the ground in the opponent’s in-goal area.
• Conversion: After scoring a try, the team has the opportunity to kick the ball through the goalposts for an additional 2 points.
• Penalty Kick: If the opposing team commits a foul, the non-offending team can attempt a penalty kick, worth 3 points.
• Drop Goal: A player can also score 3 points by kicking the ball through the goalposts during open play.

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What is the flow of a rugby game?

A standard rugby match consists of two halves, each lasting 40 minutes, with a short break in between. Firstly, a rugby game starts with a kick-off, where one team kicks the ball from the centre of the field towards the opposing team. The ball must travel at least 10 meters forward. The opposing team, also known as receiving, tries to catch the ball and gain possession. They can either run with it, pass it, or kick it back. Once the ball is caught or hits the ground, the game is on! Players from both teams compete to advance the ball and score points

Rugby is a continuous game, meaning play does not stop when a player is tackled. Instead, the ball is recycled through various phases:

• Ruck: When a player is tackled, a ruck forms as players from both teams compete to gain possession of the ball.
• Maul: Similar to a ruck, but the ball carrier remains standing while teammates bind around them.
• Scrum: A set-piece formation where players bind together and push against the opposing team to contest possession of the ball.
• Lineout: When the ball goes out of bounds, a lineout is formed where players from both teams line up and jump to catch the ball thrown in from the sideline.

What about passing and kicking in rugby?

One of the unique aspects of rugby is that players can only pass the ball backwards or sideways. Forward passes are not allowed. Kicking, however, is a crucial part of the game and can be used to advance the ball downfield or to score points.

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Can you get a foul or penalty?

Rugby has strict rules to ensure player safety and fair play. Common fouls include:

• High Tackle: Tackling an opponent above the shoulders.
• Offside: Being in front of a teammate who last played the ball.
• Knock-On: Dropping the ball forward.
• Dangerous Play: Any action that risks injury to another player.

Penalties for fouls can range from free kicks to yellow or red cards, which result in temporary or permanent removal from the game.

So, there you have it. These are the basic rules of rugby that’ll get you ready for the upcoming Grand Final. Delve deeper into the world of sport with our list of the 10 Best Sport Autobiography Books You Must Read. Or, test your knowledge with our quiz to see if you can Name Each of these 10 International Sport Stadiums.