Did you know that the first official rugby match was held in 1871 in Warwickshire, England? Nowadays, playing rugby has become a popular sport in many countries throughout the world. But, as you can imagine, a lot has changed since that first match, from rules to equipment requirements.
Would you like to learn how to play rugby? If so, be sure to keep reading as we go through some of the basic rugby rules and some tips on how to play better.
How To Score
Before you get into the nitty-gritty aspect of rugby for beginners, you’ll need to understand the basics of scoring. Like other sports, you get a point by grounding the ball in the opposition’s in-goal area. Additionally, you can kick the ball into the in-goal area for the same amount of points.
Keep in mind that each point or try, as it’s referred to in rugby, is worth five points. One of the most interesting facts about rugby is that anyone can score a point, unlike other sports. As you can imagine, that means everyone in the opposing team can pose a threat, so setting up a good defensive strategy is crucial.
Some of the best rugby coaches have created a near-impenetrable line of defense. For example, South Africa won the famous 1995 Rugby World Cup thanks to a perfect defense. If you are interested in seeing some memorabilia of that historical event, be sure to click this helpful link.
Start Of The Match
A rugby match starts by kicking the ball, but you must bounce the ball once on the ground before kicking the ball. Additionally, the ball must travel at least ten meters for the kick-off to be valid. The team that has the ball can then catch, pass, or kick the ball again to continue the match.
Field Play
Anyone can carry the ball during field play, and you can do it with both your hands or only one. Additionally, there are no rules for which direction you decide you take the ball, so if you need to fall back to your defensive lineup, you can do so without breaking the rules. So, how can the defensive team stop you?
The opposing team can tackle, hold, push or grab the ball carrier, but keep in mind that they can do that only to the one holding the ball, not your other teammates. On top of that, your team can’t obstruct opposing players, which means they can’t protect you from tackles. That’s why if you are the ball carrier, your only objective is to run straight to the goal area.
Of course, the ball carrier can pass the ball to a teammate, but it can’t be a forward pass. Instead, the pass must be either go across the field or backward. So, one of the best rugby tips you can follow is practicing your backward passes, as it may be the key to your team’s victory.
Learn How to Play Rugby Easily
Hopefully, you know how to play rugby like a pro with this brief guide. Of course, you’ll need to train hard if you want to be the very best, so don’t feel discouraged if you aren’t winning your matches. So, when will you start playing rugby?
Did you find this short guide about rugby helpful? If so, we invite you to check out our other sport-related topics!
