| ABOUT THE GAME |
Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the United States and the third most popular sport in the world. As relative latecomers to the world of Rugby, many Americans are either unexposed to the game in general or totally baffled by the rules and concepts behind the game.
Not being experts at the game ourselves, we can relate to this. These pages will attempt to guide you through the rules of rugby and it's history and (hopefully) not only entertain you, but also give you a basic understanding of the game as it's played today.
Legend has it the game of rugby originated during a game of soccer back in 1823. English schools began adopting the game and in 1871, the English Rugby Union was established.
There are 15 players on the "pitch" (playing field) in Rugby. A faster paced version of the game is also played (usually during the short summer season) called 7's. Players 1-8 are "Forwards" and are often referred to as "The Pack". Within the Pack, Players 1-5 are referred to as the "Tight Five". Players 1-3 are the front row and consequently, they play the fartest forward in the pack. Players 6-8 are the "Loose Forwards" and are usually the biggest guys on the team. Finally, Players 9-15 are "the Backs".
The object of the game is to score more points than the opposing team. Points can be scored
by moving the rugby ball into the scoring zone of your opponent's end of the field. In order to score while
carrying the ball, the ball must be "grounded" or touched down on the ground within the "Try Zone". This
type of score is worth 5 points. Once a player has scored a try, a place kick or drop kick may be attempted
for bonus points or a "conversion" worth 2 points. However, a drop kick through the goal posts and over the
horizontal bar durig regular play is worth 3 points. Penalty kicks are also worth 3 points.
Play is initiated with a place kick and is usually continued by a scrum, a pile of players in
which each team packs together with their arms locked around each other's shoulders or hips. The forwards
who participate in the scrum attempt to hook the ball with their feet and and fling it backward to the back
known as the scrum half. After the scrum, the scrum half may run until tackled, pass the ball behind
themselves to another teammate or kick the ball forward (downfield). The team then proceeds to advance the
ball toward the opponents' goal line, in an attempt to score. During play, no player on the team with the
ball is permitted to be downfield ahead of the ball, and obstructing a player without the ball results in a
penalty. A game of rugby consists of two forty minute halves. No substitutions are permitted except in
cases of injury.
Rugby is played with no hard pads and is a much faster paced game than American Football.
The only pads that are allowed are soft helmets (to protect the ears) and soft shoulder pads (made of
neoprene). A uniform or "kit" consists of boots (cleats), shorts, long socks, and a jersey.
There are two styles of play -- League and Union. SDARFC plays Rugby Union, so all data on this site deals with Union Rules and Regulations.
Please take a look at these resources and familiarize yourself with Rugby Union. As with any
sport, a good basic understanding of the game is necessary to step onto the pitch, but most of your knowledge
will come from actually playing the game.
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