Rugby Union Game Rules

Set Up

• Games last eighty minutes or two halves of forty minutes. Each team puts out 15 players on the field in the form of eight forwards and seven defensive backs. A coin toss determines which team kicks off at the halfway line. The offensive team must kick the ball at least ten meters into the opposing team's field.

Scoring

• The object of the game is to score more points than the other team, but if the game is tied, then it goes down as a draw. There are several ways to score points in rugby.

  If a player holds the ball downward between the try and dead ball line of its opposition he scores five points. This is called a "try." Like in American football, if a team scores a "try," they have the option of a "conversion."

  If a team kicks the ball through the two goal posts and above the crossbar, that team gets two extra points. A penalty kick is much like that of soccer, in that if a team commits an offense, the opposing team has the opportunity to place kick at a goal for an extra three points.

  A "drop goal" (or drop kick) is when a player kicks the ball through the opposing goal by dropping the ball on the ground and kicking it though. This maneuver scores three points.

Plays

• In a 22 drop-out, a drop kick is given to the team that touches down in their goal area but does not carry the ball over. The team then gets a drop kick opportunity from the 22 meter line.

  A scrum is awarded to a team when the other team has committed an offense. The team awarded the scrum gets possession of the ball. The team binds its eight forwards together and the ball gets placed in the center of the team. The team then attempts to push towards the goal line.

  A lineout is when three to seven forwards parallel each other between the five and fifteen meter marks. Hookers then throw the ball into the line out while another player is standing between the five yard line and the touch line. Each player not involved in the lineout may not cross the play. Opposing jumpers may be lifted by the waist to intercept the ball.

Passing, Kicking and Tackling

• When passing the ball, it may only be passed backwards and never forward, towards the goal. Kicking the ball occurs at the beginning of the game or when restarting the game. A kick is also used for scoring points.

  Players may only tackle the player with possession of the ball. Late tackles (after the player has given up possession of the ball) and high tackles (tackles that are above the shoulders) aren't allowed. The player with possession of the ball must release the ball after he hits the ground.

Illegal Moves

• A knock-on or knock-forward happens when the ball leaves the hands or arms of one player, moves forward and hits the ground or another player. This move results in a scrum for the opposing team.

  If a team throws the ball forward, the opposing team gets awarded a scrum. If a pile of players has occurred with the ball underneath, a scrum is given to the attacking team if the ball is on the ground. If the ball is not on the ground, a scrum is given to the defending team.

  An offside is when players who aren't allowed in certain set plays get in front of those plays, rather than staying back. If a penalty is called for illegal or dangerous play, a free-kick is given to the offending team. A free-kick means that the team can't kick for an extra two points. An offending team must also move back ten meters.

  Red and yellow cards may be used when a player has participated in illegal conduct towards another player. A yellow card denotes a warning and a red card means the offending player is not allowed to participate in the remainder of the game.