Basic Rugby Rules and Terms That You Should Know

For the first time Rugby viewer, the sport can be thought of as one with indecipherable terms and chaotic movements. But once you get to know the game, you will realize that it is a very technical and highly organized sport.

With the 2019 Rugby World Cup coming soon, rugby bets are expected to pop out here and there.  To help familiarize yourself with the game and make rugby bets, let’s take a quick look at the basic rugby terms and rules.

Basic Rugby Terms

First, let’s have an overview of the terms we often hear when we watch Rugby games:

Line Out– is when the ball goes out of bounds and the forwards will line-up. The hooker throws the ball in. One or two players are lifted from the line and they try to get the ball. Meanwhile, the other team will also try to steal the ball.

Maul-happens when the player with the ball is supported by a group of teammates and when players of the opposing team are trying to push him to the ground. This usually occurs after a line-out.

Ruck– is the point where the tackle occurred and where players are contesting for control of the ball. No hand can touch the ball when a ruck is declared and only the players’ feet can. But once the ball is out of the ruck, play continues as normal.

Scrum-is one of a team’s options in offense. When a team calls for a scrum, the players wearing numbers 1-3 line side by side and joined by the arms. Players 4 and 5 kneel while wrapping their outer arm around 1 and 3’s inner leg’s thigh. Number 6 and 7 are flankers, attaching themselves to the side of the scrum. Lastly, Players number 8 places his hands on the backs of 4 and 5. The opposing team will also have the same formation. The referee will then say “Touch, Pause, Engage” and the two teams will collide with the scrum-half (player 9) putting the ball in.

Try- A try is Rugby’s equivalent to a touchdown in the American Football game. It is worth five points.

Conversion–  A conversion is a free-kick after a try and is worth two points if converted.

Player Terms

Now Let’s have a look at the Rugby Team and the terms used to describe the players.

A rugby team is composed of 15 players. Each player has an assigned number and specific responsibilities.

• 1 and 3 are called the props
• 2 is called the hooker
• 4 and 5 are the locks
• 6 and 7 are the flankers
• 8 is the 8th man

Collectively, this group is called the pack of the forwards and their main task is to win possession of the ball. These players are big and bulky/. They use their brute strength to win possession of the ball.

Then there is what is called the Backline. This group is composed of the following:

• 9 is the scrumhalf
• 10 is the flyhalf
• 11 and 14 are the wings
• 12 and 13 are the inside and outside corners
• 15 is the fullback

Basic Rugby Rules

Finally, let’s go to the rules of rugby:

There are too many to mention but for the sake of our discussion, let’s limit ourselves to the three basic laws of rugby: tackle situation, advantage and offside.

When a tackle is made in rugby, the rule says that the tackler will release the tackled player, who in turn releases the ball so that player who is on their feet can get it.

An advantage means that when one team commits an error, the opposing team can try to capitalize on it instead of the referee halting the action. If the players fail to capitalize on the mistake, the play is restarted at the spot where the original mistake took place.

There are specific offside rules for specific types of play but generally, players can’t be involved in a play if they are in front of a teammate who played the ball last or behind when the opponent has the ball.