Rugby Rules and Positions

Rugby, or Rugby football as it is called, is an aggressive game descending from a common form of football which was developed in the United Kingdom. In UK, they call rugby a 'thug's game', because of the nature of the game which involves a lot of power play. With those intimidatingly strong rugby players, it is bound to seem that way. In USA, it is very close to what they call as American Football. Nevertheless, even if it is called a 'thug's game', there are certain rugby rules and regulations! Here is more on those rugby rules and positions, with a focus on the rules.

Rugby Rules Explained

The Game: A rugby union game is referred to a match and the duration of a match is 80 minutes. It is divided into 2 sessions of play of 40 minutes each. Now some time can be added on account of time outs and injuries during the game. A single referee controls the play on the field in addition to a couple of assistant referees. Professional matches have a video referee as well.

Scoring: A try or a goal, either of these can score for a team. A try happens when a player takes the ball across the goal line and then grounds the ball. Then, a proper goal is scored when a player kicks the ball between the uprights and above the cross bar of the goal posts.

Playing Area: The length of the pitch is supposed to be 100meters or less between the two goal posts. Further, an in-goal area behind each post is a must, with the length of the in-goal area ranging between 10 meters and 22 meters. The H-shaped goal posts are stationed on the goal line. The pitch must be 70 meters wide. The 2 uprights have a distance of 5.6 meters between them and the crossbar lining them is just 3 meters above the ground.

Playing Game: One team with the possession tries to move the ball upfield and score a goal. In such a situation, the other team has to defend, or attack the opponents or take control of the ball. In rugby rules and positions, which player stands where on the field matters a lot for the team's victory or defeat.

Ball Travel: The team having the ball advances the ball by kicking or passing the ball forward. But in rugby union games, the ball cannot be passed forward.

Tackling: Tackling is the act of blocking and defending the offense, by the team not in possession of the ball. A tackle consists of holding on to an opponent and bringing him to the ground. The rulebook says that a tackled player should release the ball, if he does not do that, it is held as a foul.

Offside: To take a proper and active part in the game, a player must be behind the ball. A player who comes in such a position where he is between the ball carrier and the goal, is considered to be 'offside' and then might cease to play.

Line Out: According to the rules, if a ball gets into 'touch' it is got back into play. Here, many a times what is done is a line out. A line out refers to the lining up of teams with equal number of players, one meter apart. They then vie for the ball thrown towards them.

Restarts: If a game is obstructed on account of any reason, mostly breaking of rules, it starts again with either a scum or a free kick or a penalty kick. The free kick and penalty kick is totally upon the field referee to decide.

Goal Kick: A team which is attacking can score a goal by kicking the ball between the 2 goal posts, above the cross bar. Now in the course of the game if a team wants to score a goal, the ball is hit from the ground. In a penalty kick, the ball is kept on a pile of sand. Penalty kicks are an important factor in rugby rules and positions.

Score a Try: A 'try' is what is cherished by the attackers of a team; fullbacks and the likes on a rugby field. A 'try' is an act by an attacking player of a team to ground the ball in the in the goal area behind the goal line. This is worth 5 points according to the rules.

Conversion: Once a team sores a try, a team is given a chance to have a go at the goal in the form of a free kick. This is termed as conversion in golfing jargon. It is taken from the spot exactly where the ball touched the ground for a try.

There, that was in brief about basic rugby rules and positions. There is a variation, as mentioned before in rugby union and rugby league rules and regulations. So depending on that, these rules can vary. Rugby positions, however, are very different from American football positions.

Defenders and Fullbacks needed, any takers??