Rugby is a sport that has captivated audiences around the world with its intense physicality and strategic complexity. But with so many different types of rugby games, it can be confusing to keep track of them all. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of rugby matches, from sevens to tens, and everything in between. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer to the sport, this guide will help you understand the various forms of rugby and the unique challenges they present. So get ready to learn about the thrilling world of rugby and the different games that make it so exciting!
What is a Rugby Game Called?
A rugby game is called a “match”. This term is used to describe the competitive game between two teams that play against each other according to the rules of rugby union or rugby league. The match is divided into two halves, each lasting for 40 minutes, with a 10-minute break in between. The objective of the game is to score points by carrying the ball over the opponent’s goal line or by kicking the ball through the opponent‘s goal posts.
International Rugby Union and International Rugby League are two of the most popular types of rugby matches. These matches involve teams representing their respective countries and are played at a professional or amateur level. Sevens Rugby, Touch Rugby, Beach Rugby, and Wheelchair Rugby are other types of rugby matches that are played at various levels, from local to international.
Rugby Union Rules
Basic Rules of Rugby Union
The Field
The field is a rectangular shape with dimensions of 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. It is divided into two halves, with a halfway line and a center line. The goalposts are located at the end of each half, and the ball must be passed behind the goalposts to score a try.
Scoring Points
Scoring points in rugby union is achieved by scoring tries, conversions, penalties, and drop goals. A try is worth five points, and a conversion is worth two points. A penalty can be taken from in front of the posts and is worth three points, while a drop goal is a shot at goal from anywhere on the field and is worth three points.
Roles of Players
There are 15 players on each team, with eight forwards and seven backs. The forwards are responsible for the scrum and lineout, while the backs are responsible for the running and passing of the ball. The captain leads the team and makes decisions on the field.
Restarting Play
Restarting play occurs after the ball has gone out of bounds or has been kicked over the end line. A scrum is used to restart play after the ball has gone out of bounds, while a lineout is used to restart play after the ball has been kicked over the end line.
Knock-On
A knock-on occurs when a player drops the ball or allows it to be knocked out of their possession. The opposing team can pick up the ball and play continues.
Rucking
A ruck occurs when a player on the ground plays the ball. The players from both teams form a heap around the player on the ground, and the ball must be released by the player on the ground before the ball can be played by either team.
Mauling
A maul occurs when the ball is played by a player who is on the ground, and the players from both teams bind to each other to form a moving platform. The ball must be played by the player on the ground before the maul can move forward.
Lineout
A lineout occurs when the ball has gone out of bounds over the end line, and the teams line up behind the ball. The team that did not touch the ball last throws the ball in, and the other team tries to catch it.
Scrum
A scrum occurs when the ball has gone out of bounds or has been kicked over the end line, and the teams line up behind the ball. The team that did not touch the ball last throws the ball in, and the other team tries to catch it. The players from both teams push against each other to gain possession of the ball.
Rugby League Rules
Basic Rules of Rugby League
The field is a rectangular shape with dimensions of 100 yards long by 50 yards wide. It is divided into two halves, with a halfway line and a 20-yard area at each end of the field. The field is marked with white lines for the touchlines, goal lines, and dead ball lines.
In Rugby League, teams can score points by crossing the try line with the ball or by kicking goals. A try is worth four points, and a successful goal attempt is worth two points.
There are 13 players on each team in Rugby League. The team consists of forwards, backs, and an interchange bench. Forwards are responsible for the set pieces and the majority of the tackling, while backs are responsible for the majority of the running and passing.
Restarting play in Rugby League involves a kick-off, which is taken by one player from behind the halfway line. After a try is scored, the scoring team kicks off, and after a try is scored, the non-scoring team kicks off.
Tackling
Tackling is an essential part of Rugby League. A player can tackle an opponent who has the ball by holding them or bringing them to the ground. A player can only tackle an opponent who has the ball or is about to gain possession of the ball.
Rucking is a form of contest for the ball that occurs when a player on the ground releases the ball. Players from both teams can compete for the ball, but only players from the same team as the player who released the ball can pick up the ball.
Mauling is a form of contest for the ball that occurs when a player is held up over the try line. Players from the same team can support the player and push or pull the player over the try line to score a try.
Set Play
Set play in Rugby League involves the scrum and the lineout. The scrum is a contest for the ball that occurs when the ball is held by a player who is on the ground. The lineout is a contest for the ball that occurs when the ball is kicked dead and out of the field of play.
Sevens Rugby Rules
Sevens rugby is a variant of rugby union that is played with seven players on each team, as opposed to the standard 15 players. The game is played on a smaller field and is typically faster-paced than traditional rugby union. In this section, we will cover the basic rules of sevens rugby.
Basic Rules of Sevens Rugby
- The Field: The field for sevens rugby is smaller than the field used for traditional rugby union. It measures 100 meters long and 70 meters wide.
- Scoring Points: In sevens rugby, the same scoring methods apply as in traditional rugby union. Points can be scored by touching the ball down over the opponent’s try line, by kicking the ball through the opponent‘s goalposts (called a “conversion”), or by scoring a try from a kick or a scrum.
- Roles of Players: There are seven players on each team in sevens rugby, and they are typically organized into three forwards and four backs. The forwards are responsible for the set piece and breakdown, while the backs are responsible for the running and passing game.
- Restarting Play: Restarting play in sevens rugby is done by kicking the ball from behind the try line. If the ball is kicked out of bounds, the team that did not touch the ball last will restart with a tap kick.
- Tackling: Tackling in sevens rugby is similar to traditional rugby union, but due to the smaller field size, players need to be more precise in their tackling technique. Tacklers must stay on their feet and attempt to strip the ball from the player in possession.
- Rucking: Rucking in sevens rugby is similar to traditional rugby union, but again, due to the smaller field size, players need to be more precise in their rucking technique. The team that did not touch the ball last must retreat 5 meters from the ruck, and the team that touched the ball last must throw the ball in quickly.
- Mauling: Mauling in sevens rugby is not allowed.
- Set Play: Sevens rugby has a unique set play called the “set scrum,” which is used to restart the game after a try has been scored. The set scrum involves the two teams lining up and pushing against each other, with the team that scored the try having to release the ball and allow the other team to compete for it.
Touch Rugby Rules
Basic Rules of Touch Rugby
In touch rugby, the basic rules are designed to promote a non-contact version of the game, which emphasizes ball handling, passing, and evasion skills. Here are some of the fundamental rules that players need to know before they start playing:
The field size for touch rugby is typically smaller than that of the traditional rugby game. It is played on a rectangular field with dimensions of approximately 70m x 45m. The field is divided into two halves, with a center line that runs from one end of the field to the other.
In touch rugby, the primary objective is to score tries, which are worth five points. To score a try, a player must touch the ball down in the opponent’s try zone, which is marked by two posts located at each corner of the try line.
In touch rugby, there are typically three forwards and three backs on the field at any given time. The forwards are responsible for gaining possession of the ball and making breaks through the opponent’s defense, while the backs are responsible for distributing the ball and scoring tries.
If the ball goes out of bounds, the game is restarted with a drop ball. The two teams line up behind a designated line, and a neutral official drops the ball between them. The first player to touch the ball becomes the new attacking team.
Touching the Ball
Players are not allowed to pass the ball forward. Instead, they must pass the ball laterally or backward. If a player is tackled while holding the ball, they must release it immediately.
In touch rugby, there is no tackling allowed. Players may only use their hands to touch the ball, and they must release it immediately if they do so.
Offside
If a player is offside, which means they are in front of the player with the ball or do not have a clear path to the ball, they may be tackled or obstructed by the opposing team. If a player is caught offside, they must retreat to the appropriate position before the next play.
Beach Rugby Rules
Basic Rules of Beach Rugby
- The Field:
- The playing field for beach rugby is typically smaller than traditional rugby fields.
- The dimensions of the field are adjusted to accommodate the unique terrain of the beach.
- The field may be marked with lines or flags to indicate the boundaries and other key areas.
- Scoring Points:
- The scoring system in beach rugby is similar to traditional rugby.
- Touchdowns are worth five points, and conversions are worth two points.
- Other methods of scoring, such as penalty kicks and drop goals, are also possible.
- Roles of Players:
- In beach rugby, players typically play both offense and defense.
- The roles of players are more fluid than in traditional rugby, with players moving between positions more frequently.
- Key positions include scrum-half, fly-half, centers, and forwards.
- Restarting Play:
- Restarting play in beach rugby can be different than traditional rugby.
- The most common method of restarting play is a scrum, which involves the pack of forwards coming together to win the ball back.
- Other methods of restarting play may include lineouts or drop kicks.
- Running with the Ball:
- Running with the ball is a key aspect of beach rugby.
- Players must be able to move quickly and agilely to avoid tackles and gain ground.
- Running with the ball requires good ball handling skills and the ability to make quick decisions.
- Tackling:
- Tackling is an important part of beach rugby.
- Tackles must be made by wrapping the arms around the ball carrier and bringing them to the ground.
- Tackling techniques must be executed with control and safety in mind.
- Offside:
- Offside rules in beach rugby are similar to traditional rugby.
- Players must remain behind the ball until it is kicked or passed.
- Players who move in front of the ball before it is kicked or passed are considered offside and can be penalized.
Wheelchair Rugby Rules
Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, contact sport designed for athletes with physical disabilities. It is played by both men and women and is also known as “Murrayball” in honor of its inventor, Sir Edward “Ted” Murray. The game is played on a basketball court with a slightly smaller field and requires players to have a physical disability that affects their ability to walk. The objective of the game is to score points by carrying, passing, or dribbling the ball over the try line, similar to regular rugby. Here are some basic rules of wheelchair rugby:
Basic Rules of Wheelchair Rugby
- The Field: The playing area for wheelchair rugby is a basketball court with a smaller field size. The court is divided into two halves, with each half having a try line at either end. The try line is similar to the goal line in regular rugby, and it is where players must touch the ball down to score points.
- Scoring Points: Similar to regular rugby, points are scored by carrying, passing, or dribbling the ball over the try line. However, in wheelchair rugby, only two players from the same team are allowed to touch the ball consecutively, and there is a maximum of four touches allowed per team before the ball must be turned over to the other team.
- Roles of Players: Each player on the team has a specific role to play. There are two types of players: “wheels” and “packers.” Wheels are players who use their wheelchairs to move around the court and are responsible for carrying the ball and passing it to their teammates. Packers are players who do not use wheelchairs and are responsible for protecting the ball carrier and creating space for their teammates.
- Restarting Play: When the ball goes out of bounds, play is restarted with a “warm-up” by both teams. The team that did not touch the ball last receives the ball to start the game.
- Transferring the Ball: Players are allowed to transfer the ball from their wheelchair to their hand, but they must do so within five seconds. If they do not transfer the ball within five seconds, the ball is turned over to the other team.
- Tackling: Tackling is allowed in wheelchair rugby, but it must be done from the front or side of the player with the ball. Tackling from behind is not allowed, and players must make contact with the ball carrier first before attempting to tackle them.
- Offside: Offside is called when a player is closer to the try line than the ball carrier or when a player is in front of the ball carrier and closer to the try line than the opposing team’s first defender. If a player is called offside, the ball is turned over to the other team.
FAQs
1. What is a rugby game called?
A rugby game is called a rugby match or a rugby game. It is a sport played by two teams, with each team consisting of 15 players. The objective of the game is to score points by carrying the ball over the opponent’s goal line or by kicking the ball through the opponent‘s goal posts.
2. What are the different types of rugby games?
There are two main types of rugby games: rugby union and rugby league. Rugby union is the more popular and widely played version of the sport, while rugby league is primarily played in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
3. What is the difference between rugby union and rugby league?
The main difference between rugby union and rugby league is the number of players on the field and the rules governing the game. Rugby union is played by 15 players on each team, while rugby league is played by 13 players on each team. Additionally, there are some rule differences between the two sports, such as the rules governing the way the ball can be handled and the number of tackles allowed.
4. What is the origin of rugby?
Rugby originated in England in the early 19th century. It was originally a form of football played by the pupils of Rugby School. Over time, the game evolved into the sport of rugby union, which became popular in other countries, including Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.
5. What is the purpose of a rugby game?
The purpose of a rugby game is to score points by carrying the ball over the opponent’s goal line or by kicking the ball through the opponent‘s goal posts. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
6. How long is a rugby game?
A rugby game is typically 80 minutes long, with two 40-minute halves. However, there are several types of rugby games, including sevens rugby, which is played with seven players on each team and has seven-minute halves.
7. What is the difference between rugby and American football?
Rugby and American football are similar in some ways, but they have several key differences. For example, rugby is played with a round ball, while American football is played with an oblong ball. Additionally, rugby has different rules governing the way the ball can be handled and the number of players on the field.
