Basic rugby rules

Know the basic rugby rules and enjoy rugby. Be confident. Know what's happening. Get into it. Easily find all details of the rules when you want to. Improve your game.

Answers questions like…

What must I know for basic rugby knowledge
What are the rules in a rugby match
Where can I find basic rules of rugby

What are the easy rules of rugby
Where do they list rugby rules

Who controls the rules of rugby?

The International Rugby Board (IRB) controls rugby and how it's played.
They control the "Laws of the Game - Rugby Union"
These rules tell us how to play.

Where can I find all rugby rules?

The IRB's website has downloads for all the rules.
They're very detailed. They have to be.

The rules downloads are large!
Links for all the rules are given below.

What are the basic rugby rules?

Some rules are simple and necessary and easy to include.

Some rules are necessary to know but very complex and technical. So it's best to include just the most important parts of them when getting toether basic rugby rules.

On this page get to know the basics.
For some rules the basics are just a few words.

Where there is a link, click to get what you need to know.
For full details, follow the links to the IRB Laws.

1 The rugby field

Lines everywhere! Some solid, some dashed. What do they all mean and which are most important? Get to know more about the basic rugby rules by learning about the layout of the pitch.
Easy, step by step, know the rugby field layout. Official IRB 1

2 The rugby ball

That's a bit of a wierd shape for a ball! Get to know your rugby ball and control it.
Know the rugby ball like a friend. Official IRB 2

3 The Number of Players

One of the simple basic rugby rules - maximum of 15 on each side. Substitutes are allowed. Official IRB 3

4 Players Clothing

Rugby gear is shirt, shorts, underwear, socks and boots! - talk to current players for advice on kit - especially boots. Some minimal padding is allowed. Official IRB 4

5 Time

Two 40 minute halves, maximum of 10 minutes half-time break. Use any existing weather conditions, they may change. Official IRB 5

6 Match Officials

Referee and two touch judges. Being a match official is not easy, officials provide a great service and deserve support. Official IRB 6

Always remember the spirit of the rules of rugby...

We all make mistakes
What we think we saw/heard is sometimes not what really happened
Just like you, the Match officials are doing their best
Play to the whistle; it may be your advantage.

7 Mode of Play

Players are running all over the place. What's going on!

The ball is kicked to start the game.

Players then carry, throw, kick or give the ball, usually but not necessarily to other players in the same team. The objective is to ground the ball in the in goal area of the opposition. Official IRB 7

8 Advantage

That's unfair! They just broke the rules of rugby, but the referee ignored it!
Know the rule of advantage. Official IRB 8

9 Rugby Tries and goals

Why have this team got more points than that one? Why are they trying so hard to get over that line? High up in basic rugby rules.
Know about rugby tries and goals. Official IRB 9

10 Foul Play

Foul play is doing anything in the game which is against the rules of rugby or the spirit of the rules. It includes obstructing opponents and doing anything which is unfair or dangerous. Official IRB 10

11 Offside and Onside in General Play

That player is right where the ball is. Why don't they pick it up?
It's maybe because they are offside. This important in the basic rules of rugby, If they picked up the ball they would give away a penalty.

Here's a basic rule of thumb. Make sure the ball and the player in your team who last played the ball are between you and the opposition goal line. If not, avoid becoming involved in play. Official IRB 11

12 Knock on or Throw forward

They want to get to the other end don't they? Why do they keep thowing it backwards! It's because all passes must be thrown backwards.

The hands and any movement must direct the ball backwards but because of the speed of the player passing the ball, it is possible (and permitted) that the ball travels forward from the point where the ball is released. Official IRB 12

13 Kick off and restart kicks

These kicks are taken when the game starts, when the game is resumed after half time and after each occaision points are scored. Kicks are taken from the centre of the half way line and must travel at least 10 metres. Official IRB 13

14 Ball on ground - No Tackle

Know about ball on ground - no tackle. Official IRB 14

15 Rugby Tackle: Ball Carrier Brought to the Ground

Know the rugby tackle. Official IRB 15

16 Rugby Ruck

The ball is right there on the ground, Shouln't they pick it up?
Know the rugby ruck. Official IRB 16

17 Rugby Maul

They're all grappling for the ball. What's going on!
Know the rugby maul. Official IRB 17

18 Rugby Mark

They just caught the ball, and shouted "Mark". Then everything stopped. What's happening? Know the rugby mark. Official IRB 18

19 Touch and lineout

When the ball goes "into touch" the game is restarted with a line out. The ball is thrown into play between two opposing lines of players.
Official IRB 19

20 Scrum

Following some infringments of the rules play is restarted with a scrum. Eight players from each time bind together in their own 3-4-1 formation in a crouching position. The two formations then engage each other head on to form a single mass off 16 players. The ball is then put into the gap between the opposing formations and each team attempts to get control of the ball with their feet Official IRB 20

21 Penalty and free kicks

Depending on the seriousness of the offence, teams may be awarded a penalty or a free kick when the other team infringes the rules. In the case of penalties, a kicker may elect to take a place kick at the goal posts. If the ball goes over the cross-bar points are awarded. Official IRB 21

22 In goal

This is important in terms of basic rugby rules. Grounding the ball in the opposition in goal area results in points being awarded because a "try" has been scored. Grounding the ball in your own in goal area makes the ball dead and play will be restarted.Official IRB 22

Should I know all the rules?

It's good to know the basic rugby rules....but.....
There's no substitute for knowing all the rules of rugby!

Now you've got the essentials, let them sink in.
Then you can take in more of the details of rugby rules.

The more you know, the more confident you'll be that you're playing correctly. It's important to avoid giving away penalties.

Fair play is one of the basic rugby rules Principles of the Game and Principles of the Laws are well worth reading.They're part of a huge document. Download it when you have plenty of time and plenty of disk space! It's the official IRB Law book.

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