Learn The Basic Rules of Rugby

This past Tuesday, February 15th, was the first rugby practice of the semester. In February practice will take place Tuesday and Wednesday nights, time to be determined. But, this year is not like other years for the club program. Coach Curtis D. Baker started up the women’s program along with the men’s. Practices are coed but games are not. In the spring you play with 7 on the field but in the fall you play with 15.

While playing with 7, you can run and kick the ball forward, but you can not pass the ball forward. You can only pass the ball to another teammate that is running behind you. If you pass the ball forward, your opponent will then gain possession.

There are several ways you can score points while playing with 7. The first way is a try which is where you run past the opponents goal line. After you run across, you must place the ball down on the ground to receive 5 points. Next, a conversion which takes place after you score with a try. You must drop kick the ball perpendicular to where the ball was scored and must go through the uprights which is worth two points. Next, you can score on a penalty. If your opponent creates a foul you are given the chance to kick the ball through the posts again which is three points. A drop goal can happen anytime during a play. The ball again must hit the ground before you kick it and go through the post. This awards you three points.

To stop the other team from scoring, you are allowed to tackle. You can only be taken down below the shoulders. If you are taken down with the ball you must release possession but can be given to another teammate. It does not have to go to the other team. You just have to shield the ball until another player can come grab it.

In the spring season the game is relatively short, only playing two 7 minute halves with a running clock. You win by scoring the most points after 14 minutes.