How to Play Rugby Football

Rugby Union

• 1

  Collect 15 players per team. Players wearing jerseys 1 through 8 are forwards, who are usually taller, heavier players who try to win the ball and participate in scrums and line-outs. Numbers 9 through 15 belong to the backs, who are usually smaller and faster so they can break through the opposition's defense and score tries. Backs also handle conversions and penalty kicks.

• 2

  Find a field of play. A full-size rugby union field is a rectangular shape, no longer than 100 meters (110 yards) and no wider than 70 meters (75 yards), with an "H" shaped goal in the center of each shorter end of the field.

• 3

  Move forward by running with the ball in your hands or kicking it toward the opposition's end of the field. You cannot pass the ball forward, only sideways or backward. The opposition can attempt to gain possession of the ball by tackling the player holding it. Tackles must hit the player with the ball at chest level or below---any higher is dangerous and illegal.

• 4

  Score 5 points with a try by touching the ball down behind the opposition goal line. Add an extra 2 points by kicking the ball between the goal posts for a conversion. Score 3 points with a penalty kick between the goal posts if the opposition fouls you. Score 3 points with a drop goal by kicking the ball between the goal posts from open play.

• 5

  Return the ball after it leaves the field of play with a line-out. One line of forwards from each team line up perpendicular to the field boundary then jump to catch a ball thrown in from the sideline where the ball left the field.

• 6

  Have a scrum when one of the teams commits an infringement, for example by passing the ball forward. All 8 forwards from each team gather, facing each other, in 3 rows of 3, 2 and 3. They crouch, make contact and attempt to push each other backwards. Another player rolls the ball into the scrum and the forwards attempt to gain possession of it.

Rugby League

• 7

  Gather 13 players per team. Six players are forwards and seven are backs, with similar roles to rugby union.

• 8

  The field of play should be 100 meters long and 68 meters wide, with an "H" shaped goal at each end.

• 9

  Move forward by running with the ball in your hands or by kicking it. As in rugby union, you cannot pass the ball forwards. Rugby league players have only six phases of play (i.e. 6 tackles) to score. If they don't score, they must turn over the ball to the opposition.

• 10

  Score a try, worth 4 points, by touching the ball down behind the opposition's goal line. The conversion is worth an extra 2 points; a penalty goal is worth 2; and a drop goal 1.

• 11

  Begin play after the ball leaves the field with a scrum. Six forwards from each team gather facing each other, crouch and make contact. Another player rolls the ball into the scrum and the forwards try to claim possession of it.