In rugby when a player scores why do they call it a try?

Answer 1

From the early game, grounding the ball behind the posts gave the player a 'try at kicking a goal' A try is worth five points, not three. Therefore is does not mean "tri". Legend suggests that when Webb Ellis put the ball down over the line he asked his sportsmaster: "Was that a goal?" and the sportsmaster replied: "No, but it was a good try". So it could come from that.

Answer 2

A team never used to score any points when scoring what we today know as a try. All points were scored by kicking a goal. When a player crossed the line and grounded the ball, they were allowed a chance to kick the ball through the Rugby posts (what we today know as a conversion) ie convert the touchdown into points. So they would win "a try at goal" with a touchdown. Hence "score a try".

The game further developed and a Try was then scored as three points. Later on, it was increased to 4 points as incentive for people to score more tries and from the 1990's it was increased to 5 points.

Answer 3

Originally the rules were that a try was not a scoring situation. The term TRY was when a player attacking the goal of the defending team placed the ball down on or over the goal line. This allowed the attacking team to TRY and kick a goal. Only goals counted. This is why that placing of the ball down is still called "A Try". Later points were awarded for placing the ball down as well but this was then added to by being allowed the chance of scoring a "Goal" by kicking the ball over the crossbar and between the upright posts.

Answer 4

you put pressure on the ball to the surface of the try area.

Answer 5

an attempt to "convert" the try occurs where the ball is kickd over the opposing teams crossbar posts