5 Things You Need to Know About Rugby

1. Where Soccer Meets Football

The sport of rugby offers a hybrid of soccer and American football, with a few notable changes. Rugby takes its name from the Rugby School in England, where the game originated during a soccer match. Rugby matches lure huge crowds in England, France, Australia and New Zealand, and other countries, including the United States, host amateur and professional leagues.

2. Some Rules May Sound Familiar

Rugby is played on a rectangular field with an end zone behind each goal line with rules somewhat similar to American football. The rugby ball weighs slightly more than a football, but its still a leather oval. A rugby game consists of two halves, each totaling 40 minutes. Unlike football, there's no big half-time show, and the action keeps going unless there's an injury or the referee calls for a pause in the game. A rugby field measures 110-yards long and 75-yards wide. There's a goal post located at the center of each goal line. When a team runs the ball into the opponents' end zone, it's called a try, not a touchdown. Each try is worth 5 points. A rugby ball can be kicked toward the opposing team's goal, and a player may also catch the ball and run with it or throw it sideways to a teammate. Only the player kicking the ball can be blocked or tackled. A team consists of anywhere from 7 to 15 players, depending on the rugby league.

3. Prepare for Possible Emergencies on the Field

Rugby's a rough and tumble sport and serious injuries can occur. Rugby headgear resembles those photos you see of early football helmets. These helmets fit close to the head and are made with a light foam-like padding. Rugby players wear mouthguards, sometimes made from a dental mold, to protect their teeth. Players should wear rugby boots manufactured by companies like KooGa in practice and during games, to protect against foot and ankle injuries. The referee and other officials should check the field playing conditions for slippery or mushy spots and ensure that spectators are at least five feet away from players at all times.

4. Get in Rugby Shape

You can't move from the couch to the rugby field without getting in shape. Train for the sport by lifting weights, doing pulls-ups, bench presses and push-ups. Running, including sprints and a 2 to 5 mile jog each day while in training, increases overall endurance for the game, whether you play for an amateur team or in the National Rugby League (Australia) or Rugby Union (England).

5. Rugby League in the U.S.

The United States has an amateur rugby league, the ANRL (American National Rugby League), with teams in Chicago, Dallas, Miami and many East Coast cities. Most American colleges have men and women's rugby teams, so there are plenty of places to watch rugby in the States even though it's not as popular as soccer.