What are the rules of Rugby?

Answer 1

it may seem like alot to read but its all relevant

Although to the naked eye a game of Rugby Union can appear like a carefully orchestrated riot, this is not actually the case. There are some rules that govern and bind the orchestrated riot to make it, perhaps surprisingly to those new to the sport, very methodical and tactical when played properly. Below is a quick overview of the basics of Rugby Union.

Duration: A rugby match is played over 80 minutes, split into two 40-minute halves generally with a 10 minute half time break.

Number of Players: Each team has 15 players who assume various positions, which play critical parts in the team's play. Eight players make up the forwards or 'pack' (roughly similar to the linemen and line backers in American football) and seven players make up the backs (roughly similar to the backs and "skill positions" in American football). To learn about forwards and backs as well as each individual position click here.

How to Play: The ball can be moved by carrying it in the hands, or kicking at any time during play, but under no circumstances can the ball be passed or made to go forward by the ball carrier other than by kicking the ball. If the ball is hit or passed forward without it being kicked, it is called a 'knock on' and is an infraction which results in a scrum to the opposition.

A scrum is used to restart in a number of situations and involves each team's forwards coming together, binding together by the shoulders over the 'mark' and trying to hook the ball back to their team's side once the ball is placed in the channel. This is similar to a tip off in Basketball with each team having a chance at winning the ball.

When the ball is being kicked during a kick off or 22 meter drop out it must be drop kicked.

If a ball is kicked or taken out of bounds the ball is restarted by a lineout. This is similar to the throw-in in soccer and works on the same principle.

If a team is awarded a penalty (meaning the other team committed a penalty against them) they have the same three options at every penalty. They can either:

1. Kick the ball out of bounds and receive a lineout where the ball went out
2. Take a free kick. The ball only has to be 'kicked' through the mark in this instance. Most teams will typically just tap the ball over the mark to keep better control of it and restart play quickly.
3. Take a penalty kick at goal (similar to a field goal in American football, but in this instance the defense cannot rush the kicker).

In any of these instance, the guilty team must retreat 10 meters from the spot of the foul.

The aim of the game is, you guessed it, to score as many points against your opponent as possible while conceding as few as possible. Points are scored by the following methods:

• Tries: A try is worth 5 points and is scored by a player touching the ball down into the opponents "try zone " (between the try line and dead ball line). It is the rugby equivalent of the American football 'touchdown'. Tries can also be awarded as penalty tries when an attacking player is illegally kept from scoring a likely try.
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• Conversions: A conversion is awarded when a try is scored and allows the attacking team to gain 2 more points by kicking the ball between the posts of the rugby goal. Again this is the rugby equivalent of American football's 'extra point'. The conversion is usually taken from the line in the field where the try was scored. This means you can back up as far as you would like so long as you are kicking along an imaginary line which runs parallel to the sidelines through the place the ball was touched down.
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• Penalty: A penalty kick scores 3 points and is awarded if a serious foul has been committed. The kick is taken from the spot of the foul or any where behind it on a line through the referees mark.
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• Drop Goal: A drop-goal scores 3 points and is a kick at goal during the run of play, where the ball is kicked just after touching the ground. These can be kicked at any time, from anywhere, by anybody. All that is required is that you literally drop the ball and let it hit the ground first.

The team that has been scored on always restarts play by kicking to the team that scored the points (except in sevens rugby where the team that scores kicks to the team that was scored on).

Answer 2

• No high tackles
• players have to be behind the ball
• no forward passes

If you want more information as this is a very broad question you can look through the IRB website for union code rules and regulations and the NLR for the league rules and regs

Answer 3

there are 15 players in union and 13 in league.You are only allowed to pass backwards and have to score on the line under the posts,then convert it by kicking off a T and getting it over the posts which are H shaped. there is 40 minuites each way.

Answer 4

you have 5 tackles on the last you have to kick the ball or give to opposition, no high tackles, have to be 10 metres away from ball when you tackle the player and you cant pass the ball forward. (Rugby League)

Union a 15 player game compared to the league codes which has 13 players (wing forwards have been removed from the game).

The ball is carried by the attacking team to try and get on to or over the opposing try line (whee the posts stand) the ball must be placed own by hand to make a try (score= 5 points) if a try is successful the try scoring team may then kick the ball over the cross bar of the defending teams goals to "convert" the try which earns 2 points. The game restarts with the defending team kicking the ball from the halfway line toward the team who just scored. The strategy here is to chase the ball, tackle the catching player on the opposing team as the try again to reach your goal line. The ball when passed from hand to hand MUST only go from the carrier to the team made either in line to their left or right or behind them as the move forward . A ball passed forward is an offense and the ball goes to the opposing team to place in a scrum

Added in related link below is the IRB introduction to Rugby Union.

Answer 5

There are over 19 regulations and countless rules, far to many to process and place here. However, if you wish to learn each of these and the penalties for breaking them then it would be very wise to look at the .irb.com/lawregulations/index.html site. Here you can access the regulation and laws section which, because its the governing body for the game will have the very latest updated information.

Answer 6

The rules are very similar to those of rugby league, except when a tackle has been done the tackled player must release the ball and the teams are free to 'ruck" for the ball. The ruck has 3 steps:

1. The first arriving players clear out any opposition attempting to steal the ball

2. The next players secure the ball / halfback by blocking any players on there way to steal the ball (this is done by standing i a wide position at the tackled players body)

3. the halfback picks up the ball and passes it

In rugby union when the ball has gone into touch the 2 teams much compete for it in a Lineout. This is where both team lines up with a meter in between them and the hooker for the team who has the throw in has to throw the ball straight in between the teams. Players in the line are allowed to be lifted up.

Scrums: rugby union scrums are much more tactical than rugby league scrums. ETC the 2 packs push and the halfback is not allowed to angle the ball towards his team. he has to put the ball straight in the tunnel and the hooker has to hook the ball back through the loosehead props legs. The number 8 is allowed to pick up the ball and the halfback must pick the ball up behind the number 8. The two flankers (number 6 and 7) er allowed to break away when the ball has come out. number 7 is the open-side flanker which means he is very defensive and have to tackle the Flyhalf Five-eight or number 10 (same player) if possible.

Answer 7

This a huge answer because of the quantity of rules to be followed in a single game.

To better inform you access the IRB.com (International Rugby Board) website and you Will find full PDF copies of each section of the game including requirements appertaining to the pitch, posts, match ball markings and safety.

Answer 8

The rules to rugby are to try and score the most points and whoever does, wins. In order to obtain points they need to be done through scoring a try, try converstions and drop goal or penalty goal You can only pass beside you or behind you and not forwards. There is also tackling but the person holding the ball is the only one who can be tackled.

there are 19 laws presently in statute and these are regulated by the IRB (International Rugby Board) They refer to each section of the game as a whole.

They are; (see related link for the IRB information)

1. The Ground

2. The Ball

3. Number of Players - The Team

4. Players' Clothing

5. Time

6. Match Officials

7. Mode of Play

8. Advantage

9. Method of Scoring

10. Foul Play

11. Offside and Onside in General Play

12. Knock-on or Throw forward

13. Kick-off and Restart Kicks

14. Ball on the Ground - No Tackle

15. Tackle: Ball Carrier Brought to Ground

16. Ruck

17. Maul

18. Mark

19. Touch and Lineout

Answer 9

Rugby has no rules! Just try to get the ball and score!