Spectators Guide

THE GAME - What am I watching!?

Two teams of 15 players each will compete for 70 minutes (35 minute halves) with a 5 minute half time.  The athletes are divided into 8 forwards and 7 backs. Every player is eligible to pass, run, or kick at any time. All players are responsible to play offense and defense throughout the match. The ball can be advanced in three ways; running, passing laterally/backward, or kicking down field. Up to 8 substitutions are allowed, but players are not allowed to return to the game when taken out.  If a ball is dropped forward during play, called a  “knock-on”, a scrum will be used to restart the play. When the ball goes out of bounds, a lineout is used to restart the play.

SCORING

TRY - 5 points:  The rugby equivalent of a touchdown. The ball must be placed on the ground over the opponents goal line. Players will work to place the ball down as close to the goal posts as possible to help the kicker with an easier conversion attempt.

CONVERSION - 2 points: A successful kick through the posts following a try.  The kick is taken in-line with the spot where the try was scored. This significantly increases the challenge of converting the try.

DROP KICK/DROP GOAL - 3 points: Scored when a player in open play drops the ball on the ground and simultaneously kicks the ball through the posts (rare and incredibly difficult).

PENALTY KICK - 3 points: When the match official awards a penalty to either team, they may choose to kick a field goal depending on their field position.

RESTARTS

SCRUM: Eight forwards connect (bind together) and push against the other team’s eight.  The scrum-half from the non-offending team will put the ball between the forwards as they compete to hook/rake the ball backward with their feet.

LINEOUT: When a team puts the ball out of bounds on either side of the field, the forwards from both sides will line up parallel, at right angles from the sideline (touch line).  The ball is thrown in by one player from the non-offending team as players jump for the ball.  Players are allowed to lift their designated catchers.