Quick guide to rugby
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Players Each team consists of 15 players, eight forwards, also known as scrummies or pack, and seven backs. The forwards focus mainly on winning possession of the ball. The backs play in the open field and do most of the passing, kicking, and running with the ball. Players do not wear padding. Two injury substitutions are permitted per game. The numbers correspond with the players position.
Forwards:
1 loose head prop
2 hooker
3 tight head prop
4 lock
5 lock
6 flanker
7 flanker
8 eight-man
Backs:
9 scrum-half
10 fly-half
11 winger
12 inside-center
13 outside-center
14 winger
15 fullback
Object Simply put, the objective is to outscore the opposing team. Players can carry or kick the ball into the end zone, also known as the try zone, and touch the ball down for a try. Even though teams do have strategies, set plays like in football are not existent in rugby. There are two 40 minute halves, with a ten minute halftime. The game might last longer than ninety minutes due to injury time.
Basics The game begins with a kick-off. This is repeated every time a team has scored. The team that has scored receives the ball. Ball carriers can run with the ball, pass laterally or backwards, there are no forward passes, or kick the ball. Any opponent can tackle the ball carrier, but only beneath the shoulders. There are no blocks, only the ball carrier can be tackled. The play is continuous and does not stop because of a tackle.
Scoring There are three ways to score: A try occurs when a player carries the ball across the opponent's goal line and touches it down in a controlled manner. This is worth five points, and gives the scoring team the chance to get two more points with a conversion kick. The ball is kicked from the ground at any point on a line perpendicular to where the ball was touched down. The other way to score is with a penalty kick. If a team is guilty of a major infraction, the other team can kick for three points. A third option, a very rare one, is a drop kick. Any time during the game any player can attempt a drop kick (the ball has to touch the ground) and if successful, the team is awarded three points.
Penalties The most common penalties are off-side, obstruction (like blocking in football), forward pass, or playing the ball in a scrum. The team that the foul has been committed against has several options, it can drop kick, place kick or punt the ball, or it can tap the ball on the foot and pass it to a teammate. Penalties can be used to gain points, or to gain space, the decision for which penalty to take is dictated by the field position.
Scrums This is one of the most identifiable aspects of rugby, and is a lot more demanding technically and physically than it might appear. It is called for in response to certain penalties. The eight forwards of each team come together in a specific, prearranged formation and face the other sides forwards. After the two sides engage the scrum-half of the side that the scrum was awarded to, puts the ball into the tunnel between the two teams. The ball is then kicked back by the hooker while both teams try to push each other in order to either gain possession of the ball, or to disrupt the other side. Once the ball is won, the scrum-half picks it up and passes it to his backs. As soon as he touches it, open play resumes.
Ruck Whenever a player is tackled and goes to the ground with the tackler, a ruck has formed. He has a moment to place the ball on the ground, and is not allowed to hold onto it or to play it while he is on the ground. The ball can be picked up by anyone if it is open, otherwise it will have to be moved by using ones foot. Play does not stop.
Maul This is similar to a ruck, but occurs whenever a ball carrier has been tackled, but not been brought to the ground. In this situation the ball can be handled by anyone who is literally able to get his hands onto it. At both rucks and mauls teammates can join in only from their own side, but not from the opponents side, or the actual side/flank of the ruck/maul.
Line-out Whenever the ball gets out-of-bounds, it is considered to be in "touch". Play stops and a line-out is awarded to the team that has not committed the infraction. An exception to this is after penalty kicks to touch. In this case the team that kicked receives the line-out. In a line-out the forwards of the two teams face each other perpendicular to the sideline. The hooker throws in the ball and the two teams try to catch it. After one side has gained control they pass it to their scrum-half, and open play resumes.
Off-side No player can participate unless he has the ball, or is behind it on his own side. Off-side also occurs whenever a player crosses the off-side line in a scrum, ruck, maul, or line-out.
Advantage It allows the game to continue provided that the team that has not committed the infraction has possession of the ball, and they have the chance to profit from it. This is indicated by the referees outstretched arm pointing to the team that the infraction has been committed against.