Rugby football (usually just “rugby”), may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of football developed at Rugby School in Rugby, Warwickshire, England. Rugby league and rugby union are the only two sports referred to as “rugby” today.
Rugby union is an outdoor contact sport, played with an oval ball, by two teams of 15 players. Rugby union is often referred to as simply rugby, or as football, and in regions where rugby league is played, as union.

The sport of Rugby is often referred to as the “father” of American football. Rugby started at least 70 years before American football and football evolved with many of the same principles, strategies and tactics.

The Object of the Game is that two teams of fifteen players each, observing fair play according to the Laws and a sporting spirit, should by carrying, passing, kicking and grounding the ball score as many points as possible, the team scoring the greater number of points to be the winner of the match.

How is rugby played?
Rugby is played at a fast pace, with few stoppages and continuous possession changes. All players on the field, regardless of position, must be able to run, pass, kick and catch the ball. Likewise, All players must also be able to tackle and defend, making each position both offensive and defensive in nature. There is no blocking of the opponents like in football, and there are only five substitutions per game allowed for each team. A rugby match consists of two 40-minute halves.

The rugby ball is made of leather or other similar synthetic material that is easy to grip and does not have laces. Rugby balls are made in varying sizes (3, 4 or 5) for both youth and adult players. Like footballs, rugby balls are oval in shape, however are rounder and less pointed than footballs to minimize the erratic bounces we see in football.

The field is 100 meters long and up to 70 meters wide.

When does the play stop?
• One fundamental rule of rugby is that the ball can never be passed forward. Anytime a pass goes forward play is stopped. To restart play the teams gather into two groups to form a scrum. The ball is rolled between the two sides and the hookers try to kick the ball back to their side.

• Play also stops whenever the ball is put out of bounds (in touch). To restart play the teams form a lineout. Again the ball is tossed between the two teams, this time in the air. The two sides jump and try to gain possession of the ball.

If you are new to this sport the above information can help you deal with the game effectively.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, September 21st, 2008 at 1:52 pm and is filed under Rugby. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.