Rugby 101: A beginner's guide to rugby [05/17/2008]

What is a "try" worth? What is a scrum?With the New England Rugby Championships taking place this weekend in North Conway, the following is a cheat sheet for newcomers to the sport of rugby.Try A try is scored by first grounding the ball in the opponent's in-goal. A try shall be awarded if one would probably have been scored but for foul play by the opposing team. Goal A goal is scored by kicking the ball over the opponent's crossbar and between the goal posts from the field-of-play by any place kick or drop kick, except a kickoff, drop-out or free kick, without touching the ground or any player of the kicker's team. A goal is scored if the ball has crossed the bar notwithstanding a prior offense of the opposing team. A goal is scored if the ball has crossed the bar, even though it may have been blown backwards afterwards, and whether it has touched the crossbar or either goal post or not. A goal may be awarded if the ball is illegally touched by any player of the opposing team and if the referee considers that a goal would otherwise probably have been scored.The scoring values are as follows:A try is 5 points; a goal scored after a try is 2 points; a goal from a penalty kick is 3 points; and a dropped goal otherwise obtained but not from a free kick or after a scrum taken in lieu of a free kick is worth 3 points.The ABC's of Rugby terms are: 22 Meter Line The line on the pitch that marks a team's defensive zone. Advantage When the referee allows play to continue after a penalty because the non-offending team has possession of the ball and a clear "advantage" has been gained. Backs Players wearing jersey numbers 9 through 15, with skills similar to the running backs, receivers, and quarterbacks of American football. "Ball's Out!" Call heard when the ball exits the scrum, ruck, or maul. Binding Use of arms and hands to hold another player in the scrum, ruck, or maul. Blind Side The space between the ball and the nearest touchline, compare with open side. Centers Playing positions in the middle of the backline (inside center and outside center). Centering (the ball) Since the conversion kick is taken from a position in the field of play in line with the point where the try was scored, you will see a player "center" the ball under the goal post when scoring a try. Conversion Kick Kick at goal, following a try, that is taken from a position in the field of play in line with the point where the try was scored. Dead Ball Line Line at the end of the field of play. Drop Goal A drop kick made through the goal posts during the course of normal play; three points are awarded. Drop Kick Ball is released from the player's hands, then kicked just as it strikes the ground. A drop kick is worth three points if it is made through the goal posts. A drop kick is also used to restart play after a score. Dummy Kick/Pass A faked kick/pass. Forward Pass Pass thrown ahead of himself/herself, which is illegal in rugby. It is a minor violation that results in a scrum to the non-offending team. Forwards Players wearing jerseys 1 through 8, with skills similar to the lineman and linebackers of American football. Front (First) Row The first row of the scrum, consisting of two props and a hooker. Free Kick Restart of play by the non-offending team (following a lesser grade penalty), which does not allow the kicker to take a direct kick at goal. Goal Successful kick between the goal posts. Goal Line The try line. Grounding Forcing the ball to the ground in the in-goal area with the hands, arms, or upper body to score a try. Infringement Breaking one of the rules, for which the referee will award a penalty to the non-offending team. In-Goal Area Area of the field between the goal line and dead ball 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. Lineout Offense and defense line up perpendicular to the touchline to receive a ball thrown back onto the field. Loop Running around (behind) a teammate that the player just passed to in order to receive the ball back from him again. Loose Forwards Players of the scrum set piece, consisting of two flankers and the eight man. Loosehead Prop The prop on the left side of his own scrum, compare to tighthead prop. Match A rugby game. 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. Non-Offending Team The team that has not broken a rugby law, compare to offending team. Obstruction Illegally getting in the way of an opposition (defensive) player. Unlike football, it is illegal to block (obstruct) your opponent. Offside Similar to soccer, there is an offside line (equal with the ball) continually moving up and down the pitch. It is not illegal to be offside, but it is illegal to participate in play from an offside position. Onside Being in a "fair" position, usually behind the ball. Open Side The space between the ball and the farthest touchline, compare with blind side. Penalty Kick A kick awarded to the non-offending team after a serious infringement of the law. The offending team is required to retreat 10 meters while the non-offending team restarts play. There are three options; 1) kick the ball into touch, play is restarted as a lineout where the ball when out of bounds, 2) if in range, kick the ball at the goal posts, which is worth 3 points, or 3) simply tap the ball with their foot and run with it. Penalty Try A try awarded by the referee when the attacking team would have scored but for foul play by the opposition. Pitch Rugby field of play. Place Kick Kicking the ball after it is placed on the ground. Pop Pass A short, soft pass. Put In Rolling the ball into the tunnel of the scrum. Rolling Maul A maul in which the attacking team constantly changes the point of attack to the left or the right while going forward. 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. Rugby Ball Similar in shape to a football, but rounder and less pointed. The balls come in three sizes (3, 4 and 5) for youth through adult players. Rules The agreed laws on how the game will be played. Scissors Passing to a player who cuts back in the opposite direction. Scrum Rugby's unique formation. A scrum will restart play after the referee has called a minor law violation. A pack of players from each team face each other and bind in to form the "tunnel," into which the non-offending team will put the ball. The two teams will push against one another until the ball exits the rear of a pack; the scrum half or eight man will retrieve the ball and put it into play. Second Row The second row of the scrum, consisting of two locks. Send-Offs Players sent off the field for dangerous or reckless play; the player is banned from that game and may not be replaced. Set Piece A set way of restarting play such as a scrum or lineout. Sevens (VIIs) A modified form of rugby played with 7 players and 7 minute halves. Sin Bin For serious or repeated infringements the referee may send a player behind the in-goal area, the "sin bin," for a specified amount of time. His/her team must play shorthanded until the referee permits the punishee to return. Support Back-up for the ball carrier, usually at a good distance and angle behind the ball carrier to receive a pass or help set the ruck or maul. Throw In Ball tossed overhand down the middle of a lineout tunnel. Touchline The side boundary of the pitch. Try Five points scored when the ball is grounded in the other team's in-goal area.