Introduction to Rugby
Rugby a Simple but Complex Game
I Play Rugby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3j9taoTd0E
• Rugby started in England in 1823
• Present day one of the World’s most popular
sports
• Returns to the Olympics in 2016 (Both
Women and Men
• High School Rugby Governed by USA Rugby
Passing
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Passing backward only
Can pass backwards
multiple times
Forward pass results in
loss of possession
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One forward pass
provided from behind
the line of scrimmage
per play
Can pass backwards
multiple times
Team Composition
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All players on the field
attack and defend
8 forwards & 7 backs on
field at the same time
7 substitutions can be
made, but substituted
player can not return
unless for a bleeding
injury
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“Platoon” system with
specialized offensive,
defensive, and “special
teams” players
One group of 11 on
the field at a time
Substitutes can return
to the game at any
time.
Rugby Positions
8 Forwards (Props 1,3;
Hooker 2; Locks 4,5;
Flankers 6,7; Number 8)
7 Backs (Scrum Half 9; Fly
Half 10; Centres 12,13;
Wings 11,14; Fullback 15)
Game Duration
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2 halves of 40 minutes
High School plays 30
minute halves
Clock only stopped for
substitutions & injuries
Game continues at end
of a half until ball is
dead, not when tackled
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4 quarters of 15
minutes
Clock stops for
multiple reasons
during the game
Play continues at end
of a half until player
is tackled or ball is
dead
Game Play
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Longer & fluid passages
of play
Carry the ball over the
opponent’s goal line for
a 5 point “Try”
When player is tackled
the ball must be
released. Any player
arriving at the scene can
pick-up the ball & run
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Short plays
Carry or pass the ball
over the opponent’s
goal line for a 6 point
“Touchdown”
Play ends if player is
tackled or ruled out
of bounds
Ruck:
A ruck is formed when two
or more opposing players
arrive at the tackled player
at the same time. The
opposing players push
each other to allow their
teammates to pick-up the
ball and run
Kicking
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Tactical and Defensive
Ball can be recovered
by kicking team
Can kick the ball at the
goal anytime during
play (Drop goal)
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Team kicking gives
up possession unless
receiver muffs ball
Field goals only from
behind line of
scrimmage
Advancing the Ball
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By running
Ball carrier passes
backwards to a
teammate before being
tackle to permit this
player to run with ball
Kicking ball forward
and attempting to
recover it
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By running
Handoffs and laterals
Passing forward once
per play and only
from behind the line
of scrimmage
Tackles and Blocks
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Tackle player with ball 
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Ball is still in play
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Either team can take
possession
No tackling above the 
shoulders
Wraps arms around
player & take to ground 
Blocking prohibited
Tackle player with ball
Play is dead
Offensive team retains
possession
Can simply knock player
to the ground or grab
jersey
Can block in front of
teammate
Scoring
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Try – 5 points, must
touchdown ball to
score try
Conversion Kick – 2pts;
taken from position in
line with try location
Drop goal – 3 points
No points for tackling
opponent in try zone
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Touchdown – 6 points
Extra Point Kick – 1 pt
or 2 pt conversion
Field Goal – 3 points
Safety – 2 points
Attire
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Modest soft padding
on head, shoulders,
and collarbone
Jersey, rugby shorts,
cleats, & socks
Mouthguard
No metal or hard
plastic
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Padded plastic
helmet, shoulder
pads, hip & knee pads
Face mask
Mouthguard
Collisions
California Study found that the impact force in football was 3 times
greater than in rugby (4800 pounds to 1600 pounds).
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Tackles must show an
attempt to wrap-up player
Wrestle player to the
ground
Not allowed to tackle in
the air
Contact time is longer
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Tend to cause greater
injury
Blind sided possible
Players moving at a
greater speed
Impact knock-downs
Safety
Injuries per 1,000 athlete exposures (games and practices combined)
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NCAA football - 8.1 injuries
Collegiate Rugby – 4.7 injuries
NCAA Women’s Soccer – 7.3 injuries
NCAA Men’s Soccer – 7.7 injuries
Concussion Rate in Women’s Soccer 9.2% of
injuries; 7.4% in Football; 5.5% in Men’s Soccer;
2.2 Men’s Rugby; 1.6 Women’s Rugby
*NCAA injury rates are from the NCAA website and the Rugby injury rates are from British Journal of
Sports Medicine article written by Dr. Lyle Micheli “Collegiate Rugby Union Injury Patterns in New
England”
Scrum:
A scrum is a means of
restarting play after a
minor infringement.
Involves 8 players from
each team, commonly
awarded when the ball is
knocked or passed
forward.
Maul:
A maul is when you
take the ball into
play and keep it
off the ground
during contact. The person holding the
ball cannot run because three or more
players on his team and at least one
player from the opposing team surround
and hold him. The idea is to move the
entire formation towards the try line and
then get the ball out in order to score
Lineout:
A lineout is the means
by which the ball is
put back into play
after it has gone into
touch (over the
sidelines)
Why did the whistle blow?
Offside:
• Ball establishes offside line, which is continually
moving
• Players are not permitted to participate in play if on
the opposing team’s side of the ball
• Simply being offside is not a penalty, must attempt to
participate from an offside position to be offside
Why did the whistle blow?
Knock-on:
• When a player mishandles the ball; drops or allows
ball to rebound off a hand or arm and the ball travels
forward
• Punishable by a scrum to the opposition
Why did the whistle blow?
Advantage:
• When an infringement occurs, if the referee thinks the
non-offending team might benefit by continuing play
• How much territory or opportunity is needed before
advantage is gained depends on the nature of the
offense
• Applies to minor infringements or penalties
• If no advantage occurs, the referee blows whistle and
brings play back to the place of the infringement
Questions ?