Rugby 101

Rugby is a ball game played on a grassy field. Two teams compete to move the ball down the field into the opponent’s goal. Players score points by either carrying the ball across the goal line or kicking it between goalposts. The team with more points wins.

In rugby, play is continuous without time-outs or substitutions, and forward passing is not allowed. Kicking, dribbling, lateral passing, and tackling are key features of the game. There are two primary forms of rugby: fifteens and sevens.

• Rugby Fifteens (15s):
• Played with 15 players on each side.
• Matches consist of two 40-minute halves.
• Teams advance the ball past opponents’ side of the field (pitch) and touch it to the ground for a score (try).
• Passing is only allowed backward or sideways, and kicking moves the ball forward.
• After a try (worth 5 points), the scoring team can kick for an additional 2 points (conversion).
• Penalties may result in a kick through the posts (worth 3 points).

• Rugby Sevens:
• Played with 7 players on each side.
• Matches consist of two 7-minute halves.
• Rugby sevens is an Olympic sport.
• Teams compete in tournaments with up to three matches per competition day.
• The team that grounds the ball behind the opponent’s try line wins4.