What you need to know before we begin

Before I start explaining the rules and regulation of a Rugby game, let me tell you the basics of rugby:

This game consists of 2 teams in a field (Number of players can be 7, 10 or 15 per team depending on the type of tournament).

The dimension of the field is :

The photo "rugby field dimensions diagram" (SportsKnowHow.com, 2011)

To start the game, one of the team will perform a “drop kick” at the center line of the field to their opponents. The players will carry, pass, kick or do grounding to enter the in-goal of their opponent’s side. The defending players will try to prevent their opponent players from going in to their in-goal.

Note : In-goal is an area where the attacking player can score

The photo "England vs France tackle" (WhatIsRugby, 2008)

An example how the defending players can tackle their opponents but it must follow the regulation of the IRB Law.

Two ways to successfully score in this game is by:

The Photo "Israel Dagg scored a try" (Reuters, 2011)

·      Try – the attacking player must ground the ball in the in goal area. (5 points)

The photo "Rugby Conversion Kick" (MensHealthUK, 2011)

·      Penalty Try – Only given when the player who could have scored but was fouled by the defending player. The referee will award the attacking team a penalty try. (5 points)

Types of Goals:

·      Conversion Goal – The team who successfully scored a try will be allowed to kick the ball between the goal posts. It can be a place kick or a drop kick. (2 points)

·      Penalty Goal – This is when the attacking player scores between the goal posts from a penalty kick. (3 points)

·      Dropped Goal – The attacking player scores a dropped goal from a drop kick during general play. ( 3 points)

Now I will explain the position of players in the field. It can be divided by 2 parts, FORWARDS and BACKS

The photo "Rugby Position" (BBC Sport, 2012)

Forwards (8 players):

·      Prop (No. 1 & 3)

·      Hooker (No. 2)

·      Locks (No. 4 & 5)

·      Flanker ( No. 6 & 7)

·      No. 8 (No. 8)

Backs (7 players):

·      Scrum – half (No. 9)

·      Fly – Half (No. 10) -- Note: This position may also be called Standoff in different parts of the world.

·      Centre (No. 12 & 13)

·      Wing ( No. 11 & 14)

·      Fullback ( No. 15)

The following are few types of technique’s forms used by the players as winning strategies in the game:

The photo "Beaudet and Derek Handrahan show off the kind of textbook rucking" (Hanstein, 2009)

The photo "Rugby Scrum" (MRFU)

The photo "Mauling" (IRB Laws, 2012)

The photo "Rugby Line Out Technichal" (Rucking Ball)

For me to explain everything is going to be extra long. So if you are interested about the law you can check it out here. 

Cheers.

 References

SportsKnowHow.com. 2011. Rugby field dimensions diagram [image] retrieved from http://www.sportsknowhow.com/rugby/dimensions/rugby-field-dimensions.html 

WhatIsRugby. 2008. England vs France tackle [image] retrieved from http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/02/25/despite-loss-to-england-french-showcase-the-players-and-style-of-rugby%E2%80%99s-future/

Reuters. 2011. Israel Dagg scores a try [image] retrieved from http://ca.ibtimes.com/articles/232862/20111018/canada-s-ander-monro-russia-s-denis-simplikevich-romania-s-stefan-eugen-ciuntu-scotland-s-simon-dani.htm#page5 

MensHealthUK. 2011. Rugby Coversion Kick [image] retrieved from http://www.menshealth.co.uk/cm/menshealthuk/images/KX/rugby-conversion-skill-sets-14112011.jpg

BBC Sport. 2012. Rugby Positions [image] retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/rules_and_equipment/6332057.stm 

Hanstein, Bobbie. 2009. Beaudet and Derek Handrahan show off the kind of textbook rucking [image] retrieved from http://www.dailybulldog.com/db/sports/mens-rugby-umf-49-st-anselm-22/  

MRFU. Rugby Scrum [image] retrieved from http://www.mrfu.mn/userfiles/images/rugby/rugbyscrum.jpg 

IRB Laws. 2012. Mauling [image] retrieved from http://www.irblaws.com/EN/laws/4/17/157/during-the-match/maul/offside-at-the-maul/ 

Rucking Ball. Rugby Technical Lineout [image] retrieved from http://www.ruckingball.com/tag/rugby-lineout-technical/