Rugby Union is a dynamic and physically challenging game. Rugby game rules are designed to ensure a fast flowing and entertaining game, while ensuring the safety of all rugby players. Rugby Union is played in two halves that are 40 minutes in duration, with a 10 minute interval between periods of play.
Field
A rugby field is usually 100 meters long and 69 meters wide. After each goal line, an end zone is located that is 10 to 22 meters in depth, and the ball remains in play in this area. Goal posts are located in the center of the goal line and are 5.6 meters apart, with the crossbar 3 meters high. A halfway line is located at 50 meters, and a 22 meter line is clearly painted in front of each team's goal line.
Personnel
Each rugby team fields 15 players that consist of eight forwards and seven backs. The eight forwards make up the rugby union scrum during a game. If a player receives a red card during a rugby game, he is ejected and his team must play a man down in accordance with rugby game rules.
Rucks and Mauls
After a rugby player is tackled, play still continues and both teams are allowed to fight for possession within the rules of the game. If the player is tackled but help upright a maul is formed after more than two players are bound. In a maul players are allowed to drive forward and wrestle for possession of the ball with their arms. All players must enter a maul from the back on their own team's side of the ball. If a player is tackled to ground, a ruck is formed and each team is allowed to drive the opposition forward and step over the ball without deliberately stamping on the tackled player. A player is permitted by rugby game rules to pick the ball up from the ruck when it emerges behind his own team, players are not allowed to pick up the ball while in the motion of driving the opposition.
Restarts
When the ball goes off the sidelines play is restarted with a lineout. During a lineout both teams form a straight line of their seven forwards, with one forward throwing the ball in, the ball must be thrown centrally allowing both teams to contest it. Minor infractions are restarted with a scrum, where both teams bind and drive forward to win the ball.
Scoring
Some fouls result in a rugby team being awarded a penalty, kicking a penalty over the crossbar and between the goalposts awards a team three points. Three points are also scored by drop-kicking the ball over the goalposts. A try is scored when the ball is grounded by a player over the opposition goal line, and is worth five points. After every try a team may place kick or drop kick a conversion for an additional two points.
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