Have you ever heard of rugby? We explain how this sport works. This sport originated in England in the 19th century. This sport gained a popularity that the sport did not expect, which it achieved over the years, which required the creation of a very regular system called Rugby Football Union, in its country of origin.
This sport was featured in the Olympic Games in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924. In this way, the sport gained its own competition, called the Rugby Union World Cup, which is played and held every 4 years. It is the third most watched event in the world today, behind the World Cup and the Olympic Games themselves.
Game time
Rugby is a sport that can be played by people of both sexes, divided into two teams. Since it is a sport that involves intense physical contact, it is necessary to use protective equipment to avoid getting hurt, as wearing boots, shoulder pads, a mouthpiece, and a cap will provide you with more protection.
In its main variant, teams have 15 starters and 7 substitutes, and the game takes place both indoors and outdoors. The objective is to score points, which can be obtained in different ways, all similar to American football.
How to make points
Try: This is worth five points and occurs when the player crosses the opponent's baseline and lands the ball on the ground.
Conversion: After a try is scored, the team will be entitled to a conversion, that is, a shot on goal. It is worth two points.
Pity: It is worth three points and occurs when the referee determines a penalty after serious fouls. It gives the right to shoot at goal.
Drop Goal: Finally, the Drop Goal is also worth three points, and occurs when the player kicks the ball and it goes over the goalpost and between the opposing team's goalposts. The ball must be on the ground before the kick.
Rugby Rules and Positions
As we said initially, the teams are made up of 15 players: those numbered from 1 to 8 are called forwards, while those numbered from 9 to 15 are called lines. The field positions are as follows:
Let's start by talking about the Left Prop (Loosehead Prop), Heeler (Hooker), Right Prop (Tighthead Prop), Second Row (Second Row), Second Row (Second Row), Blindside Flanker (Blindside), Openside Flanker (Openside), Number 8, Scrum-half (Scrum-half), Fly-half, Left Wing (Left Winger), First Centre (Inside Centre), Second Centre (Outside Centre), Right Wing (Right Wing) and the Defender (Full-back).
- Matches last 80 minutes, divided into two regular 40-minute halves. In knockout matches, if the match ends in a draw, the teams go into extra time.
- The referee is made up of three referees on the field, one main referee and two lateral referees.
- There may also be a fourth referee and even a video referee, the ball must be passed with the hands, and only backwards or sideways. Carrying the ball forward is only allowed with the feet.
- A player may throw an opponent to the ground in an attempt to steal the ball.
- The shuffle formation is when the attackers of both teams form formations, one counting the other. It is usually used in penalty shootouts.
- In addition to the scrum, penalties can be awarded with clearance (kick forward), running (running with the ball) and penalty goal (kick between the posts).
- Players can be punished with a yellow card, which expels them from the field for ten minutes, or with a red card, which expels them from the match. The one who scores the most points wins the matches.