Basic Rules of Rugby

Learn the basic rules of rugby for a fun, fast-paced game that has some similarities to football.

Add a little rugby equipment and a rugby ball, and you've got all you need for an exciting game that will give your kids a great workout!

As you look through these basic rugby rules, you're going to see some terms that may seem strange and funny to you because rugby has a vocabulary all its own.

I mean, where else but on a rugby pitch will you find yourself in the middle of a scrum, a ruck or a maul?

Part 1

Object of the Game

Playing Area

Rugby Equipment

Part 2

Duration

Players & Positions

Starting Play

Moving the Ball

Part 3

Scoring

Part 4

Restarting Play

Part 5

Offside

Tackles, Rucks, Mauls

Fouls

Penalties

Part 6

Modified Rugby Games

Rugby is played on a field called a "pitch" that's about the size of a soccer field. A standard pitch measures 110 yards long by 75 yards wide. There is an end zone at each end beyond the goal line that's 25 yards deep.

A crossbar with upright goalposts is located in the center of each team's goal line. It's about the same size as those used in American football.

Check out this rugby field diagram if you'd like to see more specific rugby field dimensions and how the pitch is marked.

The only piece of equipment you really need to play rugby is a rugby ball, which looks like a fat football with rounded ends.

It's made of leather or synthetic material that's easy to grip. Unlike a football, a rugby ball doesn’t have any laces.

Rugby balls come in various sizes (3, 4, or 5) for youth, intermediate, and adult players.