ABOUT RUGBY
**There is a lot to rugby, these are just the basics.**
AIM OF THE GAME
Rugby is played on a 70m by 100m field.
The goal is to beat the other team by scoring more points. Points are scored by making tries. You can get a try by touching the ball to the ground in the other teams ingoal area.
Roughly speaking the "in goal" is the area marked out at each end behind the goal posts. You can also get points by kicking at the goals. It involves kicking the ball both between the uprights and over the crossbar in a number of clearly defined situations.
When scoring a try, you want to score as close to the post as possible because where you score, is where the kicker must line up to kick it. Any player can score a try... you feel terrific when you do it!
THE GAME BEGINS
The ball is kicked to start the game. It's called the kick-off.
To make things difficult the odd shaped ball must be bounced before you kick it. It's called a drop kick
The ball must stay in play (not go over the touch lines) and must travel a minimum of 10 metres. A line on the pitch shows this distance.
During general play the team with possession of the ball are allowed to carry, pass or kick the ball.
Scoring a Try = 5Â points
Kicking points vary situationally. The picture is a kicker after a try, attempting to make a goal.
Run straight and fast, be elusive!
MOVING THE BALL AROUND THE FIELD DURING PLAY
Any player may carry the ball.
You may carry it pretty much any way you want. But its most effective to carry the ball in two hands, or in one hand or arm, if you are stiff-arming.
There is no restriction on the number of steps you can take.
There are no limits either, in terms of the time or distance you carry. You may carry it in any direction.
Players in the other team are allowed to tackle, hold, push or grasp the ball carrier but must not tackle or obstruct any other player.
None of your team are allowed to obstruct opposition players, including when they are attempting to to tackle your ball carrier.
When you`ve got the ball run as straight as you can towards their in-goal - but it`s good if you are elusive!
PASSING WITH HANDS
Any player may pass, throw or give it to any another player.
Usually you will try to make sure it goes to one of your teammates who is in a better position to do something positive with the ball.
The only restriction is that the ball must go across field or backwards when passing.
Never pass forwards.
If there is a "forward pass", play may be stopped.
PASSING WITH FEET
Any player may kick the ball any distance in any direction.
In general terms, when it's on the ground you may dribble it, kick it or hook it backwards with your foot. You must do it safely (we rarely do this at Stout)
If you are holding the ball you may place or drop it onto your foot and kick it. Any safe way is allowed. Forwards, upwards, along the ground, over your shoulder are all fine.
You usually kick for tactical reasons.
Generally speaking team-mates should be behind the kicker when the ball is kicked or they will be "off-side" and may give away a penalty.
There are different ways of kicking, suitable for different situations.
You kick to gain ground or to avoid being tackled.
Kicking usually gives away possession of the ball to the opposition.
You would only kick to avoid being tackled if you are isolated from supporting teammates and likely to lose possession deep in your own territory.
If the ball stays within the playing area anyone who is "onside" may pick it up and continue playing.
If the ball goes over the touchline ("goes into touch"), play is restarted with a lineout.
Any player may attempt to score points by kicking a dropped-goal (field goal) during general play. This rarely happens in the sport.
***Kick rarely!*** We usually want to pass and run more than anything
Players in the other team are allowed to tackle, hold, push or grasp the ball carrier but must not tackle or obstruct any other player.
If the ball goes over the touchline, play is restarted with a line-out.
A scrum is when the 8 forwards from each team pack down, head to head in one mass. The ball is put into the center of the mass and the players attempt to win control with their feet and legs.
OTHER GENERAL PLAY AND STOPPAGES
Play is continuous unless the rules are broken or the ball goes out of the field of play..
From time to time knots of players form spontaneously and become involved in contests for possession of the ball.
When the ball is touching the ground it's called a ruck and players must bind together and attempt to gain possession by pushing and stepping over the ball (rucking).
If the ball is off the ground it's called a maul. (This happens more in mens rugby, because they tent to be more violent.) Players must be bound together. They push and grapple, attempting to gain control of the ball (mauling). A maul must keep moving or play will be stopped.
Even when the rules are broken play might continue if that is an advantage for the opposing team. If there is no advantage, a penalty kick is awarded for a serious offence or a scrum is set up for a minor offence.
A scrum is when the 8 forwards from each team pack down, head to head in one mass. The ball is put into the center of the mass and the players attempt to win control with their feet and legs. No handling in the scrum!
Play also stops when the ball goes out of play over the touch-lines. It is restarted with a lineout where the ball is thrown in between the two lines of opposing players who leap to catch it.
Enjoy yourself! Rugby is a lot of fun when you can enjoy it. Don’t worry about all of the rules now, just know the main goal and don’t pass forward.