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The Complete Guide to Basic Rugby Rules

Rugby looks like organized chaos at first, but it runs on a tight set of rules. Here are the essentials that make sense of what's happening on the pitch.

Object of the Game

Players carry an oval ball and try to advance it into the opponent's in-goal area to touch it down for a try, or kick it between the goal posts to score. Two formats are most common worldwide: 15-a-side rugby union and the faster 7-a-side rugby sevens.

The No-Forward-Pass Rule

One of rugby's most distinctive rules: the ball can only be passed sideways or backward, never forward. A pass thrown ahead of the passer is ruled a 'knock-on' or 'forward pass' and results in a turnover, which is why players carry the ball forward themselves or pass backward while advancing as a team.

Tries and Conversions

Grounding the ball in the opponent's in-goal area scores a try worth 5 points, and a successful conversion kick through the posts afterward adds 2 more. A penalty kick is worth 3 points, and a drop goal kicked during open play is also worth 3.

Tackles and Rucks

When a ball carrier is tackled to the ground, they must immediately release the ball. Players from both teams then bind together over the ball to contest possession in what's called a 'ruck' -- and while a ruck is in progress, players can't touch the ball with their hands, only push it backward with their feet.

Scrums and Lineouts

Play restarts with a 'scrum' -- forwards from both teams binding shoulder-to-shoulder and pushing to win the ball -- after minor infringements or a ball knocked forward. When the ball goes out over the touchline, play restarts with a 'lineout,' where players from both teams line up and the ball is thrown in.

Forwards and Backs

In the 15-a-side game, the team splits into 8 'forwards,' who handle the physical contest at scrums and rucks, and 7 'backs,' who use speed and passing to create scoring chances. Jersey numbers are fixed by position, which makes roles easy to follow on a broadcast.

Sevens vs. Fifteens

Rugby sevens, an official Olympic event, fields 7 players a side over two 7-minute halves for a fast, wide-open game. Traditional 15-a-side rugby union plays two 40-minute halves and leans more on forward power and sustained phases of play, while sevens showcases individual speed and space.

The Rugby World Cup and Global Popularity

Rugby draws its biggest audiences around the quadrennial Rugby World Cup, with especially deep followings in the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks, performs a traditional Maori haka before matches -- a moment that's become iconic even to people who don't otherwise follow the sport.

Rugby Sevens and the Olympics

Beyond the traditional 15-a-side format, rugby sevens -- a faster game played 7-a-side -- became an official Olympic sport starting with the 2016 Rio Games, drawing new global attention to the sport. Its shorter matches and wide-open, speed-driven play make it especially approachable for newcomers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a rugby ball oval instead of round?

The oval shape makes the ball easier to carry and run with, and its unpredictable bounce adds an extra layer of unpredictability to the game. Early rugby actually used a round ball similar to a soccer ball, and the oval shape emerged gradually over time.

What's the difference between rugby and American football?

American football allows forward passes, permits free substitution, and is played in full protective padding, while rugby prohibits forward passes, limits substitutions during play, and is traditionally played with little to no protective gear.