WHRFC - Learn

LEARN THE GAME

History

Legend has it that rugby began in 1823 at Rugby School in England when William Webb Ellis picked up a soccer ball and ran it into the goal. From that moment, the game of rugby was born. Over the next two centuries, rugby evolved into the global sport we know today, played in many forms across the world. The sport is now governed internationally by World Rugby and is played in more than 100 countries, emphasizing skill, toughness, teamwork, and respect.

15s Rugby

The most widely played form of the game is 15s rugby, with 15 players per side. A standard match lasts 80 minutes (70 minutes at the U19/high school level) and is played on a pitch approximately 100 meters long by 70 meters wide.

The ball may only be passed backward or sideways, but it may be kicked forward. There is no blocking allowed, and play is continuous—even after a tackle. When a player is tackled, the ball remains live and must be contested immediately, creating dynamic phases of play. The game is reset only after penalties, knock-ons, or the ball going out of bounds.

15s rugby combines strength, strategy, and structure, with players specializing in positions that emphasize power in the forwards and speed and creativity in the backs.

7s Rugby

7s rugby is a fast-paced, open-field variation of the game played with 7 players per side. Matches consist of two 7-minute halves, making it a high-intensity format that rewards speed, fitness, and quick decision-making.

The field dimensions remain the same as 15s, which creates more space for players to attack and defend. Like 15s, the ball can only be passed backward, and play is continuous. With fewer players on the field, 7s emphasizes one-on-one tackling, support play, and conditioning.

Rugby 7s is now an Olympic sport, showcasing the global growth and excitement of the game.

🏉 How Scoring Works in Rugby

Rugby is built around earning territory, creating opportunity, and finishing with precision. Here’s how teams put points on the board:

TRY — 5 Points
The primary objective of the game. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opponent’s in-goal area.

CONVERSION — 2 Points
After a try, the scoring team attempts a kick at goal. The kick is taken in line with where the try was scored, which is why players work to center the ball before grounding it.

PENALTY KICK — 3 Points
Following certain infractions, a team may choose to attempt a kick at goal rather than run a play. A successful kick adds three points.

DROP GOAL — 3 Points
During open play, a player may drop-kick the ball through the uprights for three points. While more common at higher levels, it remains an exciting scoring option.

🏉 Positions

A rugby team is divided into two main groups: forwards and backs. A player’s jersey number identifies the position they play on the field.

Forwards (1–8) are typically the bigger, stronger players. They are responsible for physical contests like scrums, lineouts, rucks, and mauls. Their role is to win possession, gain hard-earned territory, and provide the foundation for the attack.

1 – Loosehead Prop
Anchors the scrum and provides strength in close, physical play.

2 – Hooker
Usually throws the ball into lineouts and hooks the ball in scrums; a key connector in forward play.

3 – Tighthead Prop
Stabilizes the scrum and brings power to the forward pack.

4 & 5 – Locks (Second Row)
Tall, strong players who drive the scrum and are primary jumpers in lineouts.

6 – Blindside Flanker
A physical defender and ball carrier who thrives in contact situations.

7 – Openside Flanker
Often the quickest forward; focuses on tackling, turnovers, and disrupting play.

8 – Number Eight
Controls the ball at the base of the scrum and is a powerful ball carrier.

Backs (9–15) are generally faster and more agile. They use space, speed, and skill to move the ball, create opportunities, and finish scoring chances.

9 – Scrumhalf
Distributes the ball from rucks and scrums and sets the tempo of the game.

10 – Flyhalf
The team’s primary decision-maker who directs the attack and often kicks strategically.

11 & 14 – Wings
Fast finishers who use speed to score tries on the outside.

12 – Inside Center
Strong runner and distributor who links forwards and backs.

13 – Outside Center
Balances speed and power; creates space and defends the midfield.

15 – Fullback
The last line of defense; fields kicks and joins the attack from deep.

Terms

Scrum - Used to restart the game after a minor law violation. Two groups of forwards will bind together to form a tunnel. The non-offending team will roll the ball into the scrum, where the offensive team will try and move the ball to the back row of players and reintroduced to play.

Lineout - Used to restart the game when the ball goes into touch (out of bounds). Both teams will line up and the offensive team throws the ball down the tunnel where players are often lifted into the air to gain possession.

Set Piece - Used to describe scrums and lineouts.

Tackle - A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and is brought to ground. To maintain the continuity of the game, the ball carrier must release the ball immediately after the tackle, the tackler must release the ball carrier and both players must roll away from the ball. This allows other players to come in and contest for the ball, thereby starting a new phase of play.

Ruck - A ruck is formed when a player is tackled to the ground. Support players from both teams are able to contest for the ball while the tackled player will try and place the ball back to his side. Players must not handle the ball in the ruck, and must use their feet to move the ball or drive over it so that it emerges at the team’s hindmost foot, at which point it can be picked up.

Maul - A maul is formed when the ball carrier is held up, not tackled, and joined by his own team to drive the ball forward.

Forward Pass - Any pass that is passed forward. Results a scrum to the opposing team.

Knock On - Any pass that is accidentally hit or dropped forward. Results in a scrum to the opposing team.

Offsides - One of the more complicated laws to understand, most of the time the ball creates an offside line. At the breakdown or tackle, the offside line is the last foot (body part) of the ruck/tackle.

Penalty Kick - Awarded after more serious law infringement. Offending team must retreat 10M and the opposing team will either a.) kick the ball down field to touch for field advantage, b.) kick at the goal posts for 3 points, or c.) quickly tap the ball and run with it.

Free Kick - Awarded for minor infringements. This is a quick tap penalty. Can not be used to take a shot at goal.

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