Rugby Facts
Rugby Facts
- ONLY the captain may speak to the referee
- Profanity during match play is forbidden
- Matches last 70 minutes (35 minute halves)
- The ball can ONLY be passed backwards
- 15 players per side
- Players play BOTH offense & defense
- No huddles, no timeouts, no downs – just open play like basketball & soccer
- EVERY player can run and score the ball
- There a 8 forwards and 7 backs on each side
- Forwards form the scrum & lineouts
- Backs are primarily open field runners
- A “try” = 5 points, similar to a football touchdown
- Conversion kicks = 2 points, similar to a football extra point
- Penalty kicks = 3 points, similar to football field goals
- Tacklers MUST wrap & engage below the shoulders, no shoulder tackling
- No blocking for the runner
- Once runner passes the ball, the runner can NOT be tackled
- Any player can kick at anytime
- Those substituted can NOT return to the field
- 7 substitutions are allowed per match
- Post match cheering and hand-shaking lines are REQUIRED in honor of both sides and the referee