The Basics
RUCK
SCRUM
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RUGBY is a full contact sport involving 15 players on each teams.
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A TRY is scored when a player puts down the ball in the 'try area' behind the goal-posts. A try is worth 5 points. 2 extra points, a CONVERSION, are scored when the kicker sends the ball between the two upright goal-posts and above the cross-piece.
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After the CONVERSION, the game restarts at the halfway line with the team that did not score returning the ball to their opponent with a DROP KICK.
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The ball must always be passed sideways or backwards.
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Only the player with the ball may be tackled. Players can only tackle by wrapping their arms around their opponents to bring them to the ground and players are not allowed to tackle opponents above the shoulder,or to use their legs to tackle or trip them.
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When the player with the ball is on the ground, players from the opposition team may stand over him and attempt to grab the ball off them. The opposition players must remain on their feet. Meanwhile, the player with the ball will try to pass the ball backwards along the ground to a teammate. His teammates will then move over the player and protect the ball, called a RUCK.
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Following a minor infringement, such as a KNOCK-ON (knocking the ball forward) or a forward pass, a SCRUM, 8 forwards from each team binding together, takes place to re-start the game.
