INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY
Rugby is a popular game played by men and women of every race and creed, from under age five to well over fifty, in over 100 countries of the world. In a few of those countries it is the national sport -- some say religion. The basic game involves 15 players though seven-a-side tournaments are also popular.

The object of the game is to score as many points as possible by carrying, passing, kicking and grounding an oval ball in the scoring zone at the far end of the field -- called the in-goal area. Grounding the ball, which must be done with downward pressure, results in a try (worth 5 points). After a try a conversion may be attempted by place kick or drop kick. If the ball passes over the bar and between the goal posts the conversion is successful and results in a further 2 points. Points may also be scored from a drop kick in general play (worth 3 points) and a penalty kick (worth 3 points).

The ball may not be passed forward (though it may be kicked forward) and players may not receive the ball in an offside position, nor may they wait in such a position. Players may not be tackled without the ball. Play only stops when a try is scored, or the ball goes out of play, or an infringement occurs. When the ball goes out it is thrown back in at a line-out where the opposing "forwards" line up and jump for the ball. Infringements result in a penalty, or free kick, or scrum. In a scrum the opposing forwards bind together in a unit and push against the other forwards, trying to win the ball with their feet. Substitutions are only allowed in case of injury and there is no separate offensive and defensive unit.

STARTING PLAY
Captains toss for kick off, which is a place kick from the center spot. A place kick is also taken by the conceding team after a goal, and a drop kick after a unconverted try.
Opponents must stand behind their 10yd line, which the ball must cross unless first touched by an opponent. If the ball goes into touch (crosses the touchline) without bouncing, opponents may accept the kick, have it retaken, or scrummage in the center.

If the ball goes into touch in goal, over the dead ball line, or after someone touch downs, defenders restart with a drop out ( a free drop kick ) on or behind the 25yd line.

If the ball does not cross the 25yd line, the opposition my choose to form a scrum or to retake the kick. If the ball pitches directly into touch, they may also accept the kick. Opponents may not cross the 25 yd line until the kick is taken.

SCORING
A try (5 points) is scored by grounding the ball in the opponents' goal area. The player must be touching the ball as it is grounded. A penalty try may be given if a foul prevents a try. Conversion ( 2 points ) A place kick or drop kick at goal follows a try. It is taken on a line through where the try was scored: except after a penalty try, when it is taken as if the try was scored between the posts.

The kicker's team must be behind him; opponents must remain behind the goal line until the kicker runs at the ball, when they may charge or jump.

A dropped goal (3 points) is scored during play when the ball is dropped from the hands and kicked over the crossbar on the half volley.

A (3 points) is scored from a free kick awarded for an infringement. (Goals are valid if the ball strikes the crossbar or posts, or is blown back after passing correctly through the post.)

DURATION
There are two halves of 40 min each. Teams change ends a half time after a five-minute interval The referee adds on any time lost by stoppages.

SUBSTITUTES
Union only allows substitutes in internationals and certain trials, when a maximum of two injured players may be replaced. Substituted placers may not rejoin the match.

League allows two substitutes for any reason, but only with the referee's permission during a stoppage or when the ball is out of play.

PLAYING THE BALL
A player may run with the ball and kick it in any direction, but he may not throw or knock it toward his opponents' goal line. Any player holding the ball may be tackled.

TOUCH DOWN
In both league and union a defender may ground the ball in his own goal area. In league, defenders restart the game with a drop out from the goal line.
In union, it is restarted by a scrum 5yd from the goal line if the player carried the ball over it, or by a drop out from the 25yd line if he was behind the line. Both occur opposite the point of grounding.

DRESS
Players wear jerseys, shorts, socks, and boots. Headbands or scrum caps may be worn. Shin guards are optional, and league players may also wear other protective clothing, provided is not rigid.

Rugby Boots have studs of rubber, aluminum, or plastic, which must be circular and securely fixed. In league, boot studs must be at least 5/16 inches in diameter.

The pitch must be of grass, or clay or sand provided the surface is not dangerous. The touchlines are not part of the playing area.

OFFICIALS
The referee (1) is in charge of the game although he may take the advice of the touch judges (linesmen). He uses a whistle to indicate the start and end of play, scores, and infringements. Players must not dispute his decisions and must obtain his permission to leave and reenter the pitch during play. The two touch judges remain off the playing area except when standing behind the posts to judge a kick at the goal.

SCRUMMAGE
Players are formed into a scrummage, usually by their forwards, at or near the place of the infringement and parallel to the goal lines. There should be at least three players in each front row. The front rows interlock, leaving a clear tunnel between them. Other forwards bind with at least one arm onto a teammate: opponents may be held with only one arm to steady the scrum. Other players remain behind the line of the rear foot of their pack. The scrum should be steady until the ball is put in by the scrum half of the non-offending team. He stands 1yd away, midway between the front rows, holding the ball in both hands between his knee and ankle. He aims it to hit the ground just beyond the width of the near prop's shoulders. If the ball runs straight through the scrum, it must be put in again. If there is any doubt, that the ball is awarded to the team moving forward.

The two hookers strike for possession: they must not be lifted off their feet. Front players must not raise a foot until the ball touches the ground. All players may try to play the ball, but they must keep one foot on the ground. No player may handle the ball.

A ruck occurs in free play when one or more players from each team close around the ball when it is on the ground between them. Players must be on their feet, and must bind with at least one arm around a teammate. Players may not : return the ball into the ruck: handle it or pick it up except to handle a try: jump on other players: make the ruck collapse: stop the ball coming out (which is penalized by a penalty kick at the place of infringement).

A maul occurs in free play when one or more players from each team close around a player who is carrying the ball. It ends: if a player wit h the ball frees himself: in a ruck if the ball becomes loose: in a scrummage if the ball becomes unplayable.

LINE OUT
if the ball or the player carrying it touches or crosses the touch line, the ball is "in touch" and in union play is restarted by a "line out." The ball is thrown in at right angles to where it went into touch and between players of both teams who line up to receive the ball. Other players must be 10 yd away from the imaginary line bisecting the two lines of players. The thrower is from the team that did not touch the ball last. After an improper throw opponents choose to throw in or scrummage. If the ball pitches straight into touch, a line out occurs opposite to where the ball was kicked or where it went into touch, whichever is nearer the kicker's goal.

A knock on occurs when the ball is propelled forward from a player's hand or his arm. Charging down a kick does not count as a knock on.

OBSTRUCTION