Basic rugby rules
Know the basic rugby rules and enjoy rugby. Be confident. Know what's happening. Get into it. Easily find all details of the rugby rules when you want to. Improve your game.
Yes I do know, thank you!... they are actually called Laws of the Game of Rugby Union - but most people just call them "rules".
This can be used as an easy, simple or basic introduction to the rules.
Just scroll down or...
Select a topic for information about the basic rules of rugbyWho controls the rules of rugby?
Variations, signs, non-English
Who controls the rules of rugby?
World Rugby, formerly known as "The International Rugby Board", controls rugby and how it's played.
They control the "Laws of the Game - Rugby Union"
These rules tell us how to play.
What are the basic rules?
Some rules are simple and necessary and easy to include.
Some rules are necessary to know but very complex and technical. So it's best to include just the most important parts of them when getting together basic rules.
On this page get to know the basics. For some rules the basics are just a few words.
Where there is a link, click to get what you need to know. For full details of rugby rules, follow this link to the World Rugby Laws.
No rules specifically mention the rugby sidestep.
Sidesteps are special ways you move the ball towards the opposition goal-line when you are carrying the ball.
1 Grounds
Rugby grounds have lines everywhere! Some solid, some dashed. What do they all mean and which are most important?
Get to know more about the basics by learning about the field, also known as the pitch.
Easy, step by step, know the rugby field , some associated rules and additional interesting information.
2 Equipment
It's not round so it's a bit of a weird shape for a ball!
True, but it does make the game pretty interesting.
Get to know the ball so you catch it well or predict where it`s going to bounce and where it will go after it bounces.
You can make the ball do what you want it to do...
...when you
know all about the rugby ball.
3 Players
One of the simple rules - maximum of 15 players in a team, with up to 7 substitutes allowed.
4 Clothing and footwear for playing
Rugby gear is shirt, shorts, underwear, socks and boots! - talk to current players for advice on kit. Some minimal padding is allowed.
Boots are probably the most important item. Before buying them, you may like to read this
Safety and comfort are most important. Keep in mind...
- World Rugby regulations state that stud length must not exceed 21mm and studs should not 'burr' (create sharp edges when worn down)
- forwards play close together and often their feet are stood on by other forwards , sturdier boots offer more protection
- forwards require good grip for pushing, individual studs may be better than moulded soles
- if you have boots with individual screw in studs you can have more than one set of studs and use studs suitable for the surface you are about to play on
- for speed and agility backs may prefer lighter boots with moulded soles
- before you buy, try on the boots with the same thickness of sock you will be wearing during a game
- buy from a reputable trader and specify you want 'rugby boots'
- football (soccer) boots may be suitable but tend to be a lighter construction (offering less protection for your feet)
5 Time - how long is a match
Two 40 minute halves, maximum of 10 minutes half-time break. Use any existing weather conditions, they may change (just my opinion!)
6 Match Officials - uphold the laws (rules)
Referee and two touch judges. Being a match official is not easy, officials provide a great service and deserve support.
Very important. Always remember the spirit of the rules of rugby...
- We all make mistakes
- What we think we saw/heard is sometimes not what really happened
- Just like you, the Match officials are doing their best
- Play to the whistle; it may be your advantage.
7 Play on! - even when rules are broken
What's going on! They just broke the rules, but the referee ignored it! Know and understand the "advantage" rule.
8 Points and how you earn them
Why have this team got more points than that one? Why are they trying so hard to get over that line? Why are they kicking at the posts?
Important
Find out how you score tries and kick goals.
| Method of scoring | Points awarded |
|---|---|
| Try/Penalty try | 5 |
| Conversion | 2 |
| Penalty goal | 3 |
| Drop goal | 3 |
| . |
The team with most points at full-time (when the whistle blows for the end of the game) wins the game.
If the scores are equal it`s a draw.
If a winner has to be found, say for a Cup competition, extra time will be played. Competitions have their own rules. There is no concept of a "penalty shoot-out".
Return to Select a topic9 Fouls - what you cannot do
Foul play is doing anything in the game which is against the rules of rugby or the spirit of the rules.
This is one of the most important rules. Be fair, play fair! This rule aims to keep injuries to a minimum.
Ignoring this rule is cowardly. It may result in serious injury to yourself or other players.
Improve your game, know this rule
Foul play includes
- obstructing opponents
- punching, trampling, kicking or tripping players
- tackling too early, too late, above the shoulders
- tackling a player when they are in the air
- doing anything which is unfair or dangerous.
REMEMBER - one of the most important Laws of the game.
You might drive this home with stories of sports(wo)manship
10 Offside and Onside in General Play
That player is right where the ball is. Why don't they pick it up?
It may be because they are offside. This is important. If they picked up the ball they would give away a penalty.
Here's a basic rule of thumb.
Aim to stay behind the ball.
Make sure the ball and the player in your team playing the ball are ahead of you in relation to the opposition goal line.
If not, avoid becoming involved in play.
11 Knock on or Throw forward
Sometimes you accidentally mishandle the ball and knock it forwards off your hands or arms. You are allowed to try and regain control.
If you catch it again before it touches another player or touches the ground you can play on. Otherwise it is a "knock on" and play may be stopped.
They want to get the ball to the other end, don't they?
Why do they always throw it backwards!
It's because a pass or "throw forward" is not permitted.
Pass straight across the field...Yes, OK
Pass backwards towards your own goal-line...Yes, OK
Pass forwards towards the opposition goal-line... NO, not permitted!
The hands and any movement must direct the ball backwards (or level).
Because of the speed of the player passing the ball, it is possible (and permitted) that the ball travels forward from the point where the ball is released.
If you intentionally knock on or throw the ball forwards you may be penalized. If what you did prevents a probable try, a penalty try may be awarded.
12 Starts and restarts
A coin is tossed before the game.
The captain of the team that 'wins the toss' chooses either to 'kick off' or which direction to play in the first half (which half to defend).
13 Ground-ball
Sometimes the player holding the ball, or the ball alone, ends up on the ground without a tackle taking place. What happens next?
Find out about the ball on the ground when there is no tackle.
14 Tackles
When the ball carrier is tackled (brought to the ground) there are some things you must do and some things you must not do.
It depends on whether you are the ball carrier, the tackler or just another player.
This is important! You need to know about the tackle.
15 Rucks
The ball is right there on the ground, Shouldn`t they pick it up?
Sometimes you are not allowed to pick up the ball
It's useful to know about the ruck
16 Mauls
They`re all grappling for the ball. What's going on!
17 Marking
They just caught the ball, and shouted "Mark". Then everything stopped. What's happening?
18 Out of play
When the ball goes out of play over the side-line play stops and you restart with a lineout.
19 Scrums
Following some infringments of the rules play is restarted with a scrum.
20 Penalties
Depending on the seriousness of the offence, teams may be awarded a penalty or a free kick when the other team infringes the rules.
21 In-goals
Special areas at each end of the field are the in-goal areas. This is where you score tries
22 Bamboozle opponents
Probably the most important rule of all.
Nah...just kidding!
It`s not a rule at all...but it should be.
You`ll enjoy rugby anyway but you`ll have much more fun when you learn to avoid tacklers is the question now is the answer.
Find out how you avoid tacklers with sidesteps so you will always be thinking about them and how you will be good when you learn with EvtecHs.
Maybe, after all these rules, it`s time for a bit of fun.
Play about with different passes Go on, have a go!
Variations, signs, non-English
The WorldRugby.org website has downloads for all the rules. They're very detailed. They have to be.
The rules downloads are large! Links for all the rules are given.
You can see variations of the rules for...
- ...and find out about referee signals
If your first language is not English the WorldRugby has it covered. You can go to their site and read the rugby rules in other languages
Should I know all the rules?
It`s good to know the main rules, but.
There`s no substitute for knowing all the rules!
Now you`ve got the essentials, let them sink in. Then you can take in more of the details of rugby rules.
The more you know, the more confident you`ll be that you`re playing correctly. It`s important you avoid giving away penalties.
Fair play is the foundation for rugby.
Principles of the Game and Principles of the Laws are well worth reading.
Visit World Rugby for full, official Laws of the Game Rugby Union.
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