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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 rugby 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
  • what rules apply to the rugby sidestep




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.






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 together 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 of rugby rules, follow the links to the IRB Laws.

There are no rules which specifically mention the rugby sidestep.
Sidesteps are simply a special way you move the ball towards the opposition goal-line when you are carrying the ball.




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 field,
   also known as the rugby pitch.

In case you don't already know,
   text in a different colour
   and underlined is a link
   to another page.
Click on these links and you
   get more information

Look at the field.
It's a great place to start
   your basic rugby rules.

Easy, step by step, know the rugby field.  Official IRB 1 (IRB Site)




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. Being able to sidestep will make it easier to evade opponents when you carry the ball. 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?

Important 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 is 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 a pass "forward" is not permitted.

Pass straight across the field...Yes, OK
Pass backwards towards own goal-line...Yes, OK
Pass forwards towards opposition goal-line... NO, not permitted!

The hands and any movement must direct the ball backwards (or level). 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 occasion 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 this is how you score rugby tries. Grounding the ball in your own in goal area makes the ball dead and play will be restarted. Official IRB 22






23 Learn to sidestep

Probably the most important rule of all.

Nah...just kidding.
It's actually Rule 1...but I forgot to put it in
   and couldn't face changing all the numbers.

Of course it's not a rule at all...but it should be.
You'll enjoy rugby anyway
   but you'll have much more fun
   when you learn to sidestep
   is the question
   now is the answer.
It's a good time to find out more about rugby sidesteps
   so you can always be thinking about them
   and how you will be good when you learn with Evtechs

Make this one of your basic rugby rules!





U19, 7s, referee signals, other languages ?

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.

You can see variations of the basic rugby rules for...

...U19 rugby rules...

...7s rugby rules...

...and find out about referee signals.

If your first language is not English
   you can read the rugby rules in other languages.





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.


What next?

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Hang around or come back soon...

Now you know the basics
   have a look at some of the skills
   or how to play
   or find out more about positions...



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