Useful Terms to Know and Understand

The Rules
There is no way on earth we could list all the rugby rules on this webpage and expect anyone to understand them. If you really want to read the rules, a rugby rulebook does exist, but most are learned through experience. When you start to play, the most common questions you'll ask are "Now why did we do that?" and "So what exactly does that mean?" But, in an effort to help you not feel like a complete idiot when you take the field, we've listed a few of the more basic, yet very important, rules and terms of the game. There are several rules and situations that apply to each of these terms. Feel free to ask as many questions as you want…

• Passing—This is the primary method used to move the ball from player to player. You can only pass the ball backwards (behind you) or laterally (parallel to you). Lateral passing is OK, but can be a close call, so ideally you will pass the ball to a player who is bursting onto the ball from behind you. If you can't throw a good pass, your teammates will have a hard time advancing the ball, so this is one of the skills we emphasize. Anyone can be a good passer, it just takes proper technique (which we are happy to teach you) and practice.

• Kicking—Kicking is another method used to advance the ball, although not nearly as often as the pass. There are several types of kicks used throughout the game: pop-kicks, punts, grub kicks, and place kicks. All are used strategically in different situations for different results. As you progress in rugby, you'll start to learn when to use which kick, and how to kick differently. While anyone on the field can kick the ball, there are usually only a few players who do it consistently (fullbacks, flyhalfs, and maybe a forward with a power foot for penalty kicks). Again, practice is the key to better kicking, although it is advised that experimenting with your kicks not be done during a game. There's nothing worse than kicking a ball into the open arms of an opponent, who then runs in for the easy try.

• Tackling—Rugby is a game with tackling. If you don't want to tackle or be tackled, then DO NOT PLAY THIS SPORT. Tackling is the most common method of stopping an advancing player from scoring (driving them out of bounds is another). Unlike football, play does not stop when someone is tackled. Instead, the tackled player must immediately release the ball, so that another player (from either side) can pick it up and continue play. If the ball is not released, or if the player releases the ball and then plays it on the ground (i.e., pushing towards her team), a penalty will be awarded to the opposing team. The ideal tackle consists of hitting an opponent low, squeezing their legs together, and driving them to the ground. This is another skill we emphasize in practice, so you get plenty of time to perfect your tackling. Remember, this is a game played without pads, so you can't just go flying into another person (i.e., spearing, body checking) without running the risk of hurting yourself or your opponent. There is a technique to tackling that you must learn, not just for effectiveness on the field, but also for your safety.

• Scoring—In rugby, a team scores points in several ways. The most common is called a try. It is similar to a football touchdown, but with one significant difference. In rugby, it is not enough to cross the plane of the try zone with the ball. A try is only good if the ball is brought into the opponent's try zone and touched to the ground with controlled, downward pressure. Spiking the ball does not count! There must be simultaneous hand/ball/ground contact. A try is worth 5 points, followed by a conversion kick attempt, worth 2 points. In total, a team can score 7 points off a successful try and conversion kick. Teams can also score by kicking. If a player drop kicks (dropping the ball and letting it touch the ground before she kicks it) the ball through the uprights, her team is awarded 3 points. This is very difficult to do, and not done often in women's rugby. A team can also score 3 points by kicking a penalty kick. These kicks are awarded when a team commits a penalty that gives the opposing team the opportunity to attempt a place kick.