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The rugby blueprint
By Kevin Goodwin
Scrum: It’s rugby’s most recognizable formation. It is a method to restart the game after the referee has whistled a minor violation. A group of players lock up together for each team and form a tunnel for the opposition. The non-offending team puts the ball in the tunnel by rolling it into the middle and each team pushes forward until one player is able to hook the ball with the feet and push it back to the back-row players on his or her team.
Line-out: If the ball goes out of bounds, the game is restarted with a line-out. Both teams form a line perpendicular to the sideline and 3 feet apart from each other. A player for the team not responsible for the ball going out of bounds calls a play and throws the ball in the air in a straight line between the two lines. Players for each team may be supported in the air by their teammates to get possession of the ball.
Set piece: A term for scrums and line-outs because these are the only choreographed plays of the game.
Try: Five points are awarded for touching the ball down in the other team’s in-goal area. It’s like an American football touchdown.
Conversion: It comes after the try. Two points are awarded for a successful kick through the goal posts. It’s like an American football extra point.
Penalty kick: The kicking team, following a major violation from the opposition, can attempt a “kick for points” if it is in range. A penalty kick is worth three points. If it fails, the ball is still play.
Drop kick: It can be taken from anywhere on the field at any time. It is worth three points. If it fails, the ball is still in play.
Touchline: The side boundary of the field (sideline).
Try line: The end boundary of the field (goal line).
Knock-on: When the ball has bounced forward after striking a player’s hands, arms, or upper body. It is a minor violation that results in a scrum to the non-offending team.
Ruck: When the ball is on the ground, usually after a tackle, and both teams converge over the ball, bind with one another, and attempt to push the opposing team backward to gain control of the ball.
Maul: Similar to a ruck, but the ball carrier is not tackled. Both teams converge on the ball carrier and try to push the opposing side backward.
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Line-out: If the ball goes out of bounds, the game is restarted with a line-out. Both teams form a line perpendicular to the sideline and 3 feet apart from each other. A player for the team not responsible for the ball going out of bounds calls a play and throws the ball in the air in a straight line between the two lines. Players for each team may be supported in the air by their teammates to get possession of the ball.
Set piece: A term for scrums and line-outs because these are the only choreographed plays of the game.
Try: Five points are awarded for touching the ball down in the other team’s in-goal area. It’s like an American football touchdown.
Conversion: It comes after the try. Two points are awarded for a successful kick through the goal posts. It’s like an American football extra point.
Penalty kick: The kicking team, following a major violation from the opposition, can attempt a “kick for points” if it is in range. A penalty kick is worth three points. If it fails, the ball is still play.
Drop kick: It can be taken from anywhere on the field at any time. It is worth three points. If it fails, the ball is still in play.
Touchline: The side boundary of the field (sideline).
Try line: The end boundary of the field (goal line).
Knock-on: When the ball has bounced forward after striking a player’s hands, arms, or upper body. It is a minor violation that results in a scrum to the non-offending team.
Ruck: When the ball is on the ground, usually after a tackle, and both teams converge over the ball, bind with one another, and attempt to push the opposing team backward to gain control of the ball.
Maul: Similar to a ruck, but the ball carrier is not tackled. Both teams converge on the ball carrier and try to push the opposing side backward.