5 Things You Need to Know About Rugby Rules

1. Numbers in Rugby

Rugby is played with 15 players on the field for each team. Many leagues put limitations on the number of substitutions allowed during a match, with some leagues allowing substitutions only if a player is injured or ejected from the game. Rugby fields are 100 meters long and typically divided by increments of 10 meters. During a kickoff, the ball must travel at least 10 meters. A rugby field has a marked 50-meter line where play starts. Rugby matches last 80 minutes and are divided into halves.

2. Protective Gear or Lack Thereof

Rugby players typically don't wear protective gear other than a mouth guard. However, the rules allow shin guards as long as they are worn underneath socks, sweat bands around the head or wrists, knee and elbow pads, scrum caps, elastic or cloth knee braces and cotton or soft rubber padding to protect a wound. A scrum cap is made of leather, fabric or soft pliable plastic and protects the player's ears and head. Cleat studs must be circular and made of rubber, plastic or aluminum. Jewelry is prohibited.

3. Methods of Scoring

There are 4 ways to score in rugby. A try is worth 5 points and is scored when a player touches the ball to the ground across the opponent's goal line. A try is also awarded if a player touches a loose ball that is across the opponent's goal line with her hands and maintains control of it. A goal is scored by kicking the ball through the opponent's crossbar and is worth three points if it's scored during game play. Scoring a goal after a try is worth two points. The scoring team always has the opportunity to attempt to score a goal following a try. Scoring a goal from a penalty kick is also worth three points.

4. Pass the Ball Backwards

A player is considered offsides if he is in front of the teammate who is carrying, touching or kicking the ball. An offsides call will be made only if the offsides player joins the play. Therefore, when a ball is passed in rugby, the player with the ball must either toss the ball backwards to his teammate or to the side so the teammate can run onto the pass.

5. Scrummages, Rucks and Mauls

Scrummages are formed when the ball must be put back into play. The players from each team get into crouched positions with the two front rows not farther than an arm's length from each other. When the referee calls "engage" the players attempt to get possession of the ball. Players form a ruck when at least one player from each team are on their feet and in physical contact with the ball between them. Player form a maul when at least one player from each team closes around the player carrying the ball.