Rules of Rugby

General Rugby

General rugby is a kicking, passing, and tackling game that originated in England and is the direct ancestor of American football. The games is popular in Great Britain, France, Austrailia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is also played in many other places. Rugby exists in two forms: Rugby Union and Rugby League.

Rugby Union

Rugby Union is played on a grass field 110 yd (100 m) long and 75 yd (69 m) wide by two teams of 15 players. The ball resembles an American football but is approximately 24 in. (61 cm) at it's widest circumfrences and thus easier to kick and more difficult to pass. Because blocking and interference are illegal, no heavy padding is required, and a uniform consists of shorts, jersey, and cleated boots.

The Rules

Play starts with a kickoff, and the aim of each team is to carry the ball across the opponent's goal line or kick the ball over the crossbar of the goalposts centered on each goal line. Players advance the ball by running with the ball, passing it, or kicking it. Forward passes are not permitted, and passes are made behind the ball-carrier using a two-handed underarm motion. In rugby union, when a player is tackled the ball must be released immediately and may then be played by the nearest player of either team.

Play is continuous except when interuppted for a rule infraction or when the ball goes out of bounds. When the ball goes out of bounds it is returned to play in a "line out" in which the 8 forwards from each team form two parallel lines about 0.6 m (2 ft) apart. A player from the team opposing the one that last touched the ball tosses it between the two lines, and the two teams then struggle for possession.

A Line Out

A Scrum

If play is interrupted by a rule infraction, or if possession of the ball is unclear, a "scrum" is called by the referee. In a scrum, 8 players from each team mass together in two 3-4-1 formations, each facing the opponents's goal. The ball is dropped between the two front trio's, who try to "heel" it back to waiting teammates.

Points

Points are scored when a ball-carrier crosses the goal line to score a "try" (5 points), when a kick for a conversion after a try goes over the goal crossbar (2 points), or when a drop-kick or penalty kick passes over the crossbar (3 points).

Rugby League

Rugby League, first played in 1895, differs from rugby union in several respects. Teams consist of 13 players, scrums are formed of 6 players on each side, and a tackled player retains possession of the ball, "heeling" it to a teammate after regaining his feet. These variations from the older game of rugby union, devised at Rugby School about 1840, are designed to encourage passing and running and make the game more attractive to spectators.