Rugby Game Play

Rugby game play is not terribly complicated; however, it is extremely confusing to many who are unfamiliar with the game. This can be attributed to the fact that while it does share similarities with other sports, it is vastly different from the other games we try to compare it to (namely soccer and American football). Unlike soccer, carrying the ball is legal, which in many ways makes it more similar to football. However, unlike football, there are no forward passes allowed in rugby, and match play is only stopped for penalties, not between every play.
A regulation length match lasts for 80 minutes broken down into two 40 minute halves with a 10 minute break during halftime. The clock constantly runs and play only stops during the match for penalties. Essentially, the average rugby player is constantly in motion varying between jog and all out sprint. For that reason, rugby demands a high level of physical fitness, and you’re probably not going to see many of these guys on the field:

Objective of the Game

The objective of rugby is to score goals, known as a try, by touching down the ball inside the opposing team’s end zone. Any player may carry the ball and is capable of scoring. A try is worth 5 points, after which a conversion kick is awarded, allowing for the chance to score 2 additional points if successful. There are also other means of scoring, the first being a drop goal. This occurs when a player kicks the ball through the opposing team’s uprights during play, and is worth 3 points. In order for the drop goal to count, the ball must make contact with the ground before being kicked (essentially dropped then kicked, making it a difficult maneuver). Apenalty kick can also be granted for certain penalties, allowing for a free kick from the site of the infraction (as long as it is behind the 22 meter line).  The penalty kick is also worth 3 points.
So how do teams go about scoring? There are various elements that occur during play after certain events. By following along with an imaginary scenario of how a match might progress, we can analyze these elements.

Kickoff

At the start of the match and immediately following halftime, there is a kickoff from the 50 meter line. Who kicks off is decided by a coin toss before match play begins. A kickoff also occurs after a team scores a try. This is another area where rugby differs from American football; rugby is “make it, take it,” with the scoring team receiving the following kickoff.

Ball Movement

Upon receiving the kick, players will attempt to advance the ball up the field either by running, passing, or kicking. Any player can run the ball; however, teammates are not allowed to block defenders from tackling the ball carrier, and it is illegal to use your teammates as a shield when carrying the ball. Passing is allowed, but only in the form of a reverse lateral, meaning that the player you are passing to must be behind you on the field of play. Laterals and forward laterals result in penalties. Finally, it is sometimes advantageous for the ball carrier to kick the ball over the defense, allowing himself or another teammate to run it down or receive it (it is acceptable to receive your own or a teammate’s kick).

The Ruck

Let’s assume at this point that the ball carrier is tackled by the defense. What forms out of this is known as the ruck. While being tackled, the ball carrier will attempt to roll so that his back is facing the defense and will shield the ball with his body. All this must be simultaneous with the tackle, as a player on the ground is not allowed to guard or handle the ball at all with their hands. While the tackled player is shielding the ball, pack players from his team (usually 2 or 3) will move over him in an attempt to keep the defense away from the ball, which anyone can take at this point. Assuming the defense has not recovered the ball, another offensive player, usually the scrum half, will come in, retrieve the ball, and pass it out to the backs, allowing play to continue.

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