Rugby for Dummies: Part 5 of 6

All right, here it is. Rugby for dummies! In this 6-part series you will learn how to play rugby and be introduced to the basic rugby rules. I recommend you start with Part 1 so you don't miss anything.

In Part 5 of our rules of rugby, we will learn about fouls, penalties, and some strange terms unique to the game which you have probably never heard of.

Part 1
Object
Playing Area
Equipment

Part 2
Duration
Players & Positions
Starting Play
Moving the Ball

Part 3
Scoring

Part 4
Restarting Play

Part 6
Modified Rugby Games for Kids

Rugby for Dummies
Offside

The offside rule in rugby is similar to that in soccer, and it can be a bit confusing to understand, especially for those new to the game.

Basically, the offside line moves continuously up and down the pitch as the ball moves. The ball creates the offside line, and players are not allowed to participate in the play if they are on their opponent's side of the ball. A player is offside if he is in front of the ball when a teammate is playing it.

Just being offside is not a penalty, but attempting to play the ball while being offside is what triggers a penalty to be called.

Rugby for Dummies
Tackles, Rucks & Mauls

Tackle

Players who have the ball can be stopped by being tackled and brought to the ground. The tackled player has to release the ball and roll away from it to allow other players who are on their feet to play the ball.

Ruck

When a player is tackled and the ball released, players from each team converge over the ball and bind together like on a scrum, attempting to push the opposing players backwards.

This action is known as a ruck.

The ball can't be picked up by any player until it emerges out of the ruck. When this happens, the ruck ends and play continues.

Maul

A maul is similar to a ruck except that the group of players surrounds a ball carrier who is still standing. The maul ends when the ball emerges or the player with the ball is able to run out of the middle.

Rugby for Dummies
Fouls

Players may not:

strike, kick, hit, or trip an opponent.
make a dangerous tackle or tackle with a stiff arm.
intentionally charge, obstruct, or grab opponent who doesn't have the ball (except in a ruck).
deliberately pass the ball forward.

Rugby for Dummies
Penalties

Penalties are common in rugby, and they usually result in the non-offending team getting the chance to kick the ball to gain field advantage. Here are some of the more common penalties you'll see in the basic rugby rules:

Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded after a serious rule violation. The offending team has to back away 10 yards while their opponent gets a free kick.

If they're close enough, they can attempt to score by kicking the ball through the goalposts.

Otherwise, they may try to kick the ball down field to gain better field position.

They also have the option of tapping the ball with their foot and picking it up to run with it.

Free Kick

A free kick is awarded for a less serious rule infraction. It's similar to a penalty kick, but the kicking team may not try to kick a goal.

Sin Bin

If a player commits a serious violation, the referee may send him to a location behind the goal area where he will sit out of the game for a certain period of time. Play continues with his team playing short-handed until he is allowed to re-enter the game.

Send-Offs

In extreme cases of dangerous or reckless play, a player may be ejected from the game and not allowed to return or be replaced by a substitute.

See more rugby rules... Pg 1 2 3 4 Next

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Rugby for Dummies: Part 5 of 6

Rugby for Dummies
Offside