Rugby is one of the most physical sports, and have specific rules. Do you know how to play rugby ? Here are the playing rules !
The game
Rugby is a team sport with physical action ("tackling") and tactical elements. In rugby, an egg like ball is thrown instead of a regular ball, similar to American football. However, it is less pointy. According to the Union rules, two teams of 15 players face each other on the field and try to get the "egg" into the opponent's goal. The duration of a rugby match is 40 minutes twice. In between the 40 minutes, there is a ten-minute half-time break.
The pitch
When it comes to the rugby pitch, there is no specific surface, it can be with grass, snow, clay, or sand. Furthermore, there are no precise size specifications for the pitch. Different distances are marked with the help of various lines on the field to indicate the main three sections of the field. Two dead goal areas and the main playing area. The playing area may not exceed the maximum length of 100 meters and a maximum width of 70 meters. The so-called painting fields or dead goal areas represent the two ends of the playing field, with a maximum length of 22 meters and a minimum length of 10 meters.
One goal is placed at each end of the field in the middle of the mall line. The goal is H-shaped and consists of two vertical painting poles 5 to 6 meters apart and a crossbar 3 meters high. The lower ends of these painting poles usually have padding attached to protect against injury.
Scoring
The winner is the team that has the most points at the end of the game. The following describes how to score points.
5 points and a try are awarded if a player places the ball behind the goal in the opponent's penalty area.
After a try, the team receives a free kick, also called a conversion, where they can score 2 bonus points. A successful shot is when the egg like ball enters between the upper post and the upper crossbar of the goal.
When the opposing team commits an infraction, the other team is awarded a 3-point penalty kick.
3 additional points can be scored by a drop goal from the hand as long as the ball bounces first.
Rugby Clothing
Rugby does not have helmets or massive protective gear like American football. Only the wearing of a mouth guard is mandatory. The playing attire usually consists of a solid jersey, shorts, knee socks and cleated shoes. Some players also use a soft cap to protect the ears or a thin, foam-lined shoulder pad under the jersey.
Interested in watching a match ? Buy your tickets for the National League Match Trinity Vs UCD !
References:
Kirchner (2022) ‘ Wie spielt man Rugby - Hier findet Ihr die Rugby Spielregeln’, Spielregeln & Spielanleitungen - Gesellschaftsspiele, 2 June. Available at: https://www.spielregeln-spielanleitungen.de/sportspiel/wie-spielt-man-rugby-spielregeln/ (Accessed: 4 December 2022).
Rugby Rules: How To Play Rugby | Rules of Sport (no date). Available at: https://www.rulesofsport.com/sports/rugby.html (Accessed: 4 December 2022).
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