A Guide to the Sport of Rugby
Rugby, at present, is one of the most exciting contact sports. The game is rather a combination of football with its hard-hitting physical nature, and soccer, with its speed and movement.
Rugby balls are quite similar to a football in size and shape. However, rugby balls are larger than a football. The modern version of the rugby balls have no laces. Rugby players’ personal equipment includes a mouthpiece which is mandatory, and a soft-padded head gear which is optional.
Rugby is played on a large playing field called the ‘pitch.’ 100 meters long and 70 meters wide, is the dimensions of a rugby playing field or pitch. There are uprights positioned on every end of the rugby field. Behind the uprights is the goals area. The minimum depth of the goal area is 10 meters but it is often 22 meters.
Two teams are represented in the pitch who will play the game. Each team fields in fifteen players for the game. The packs and the backs makes up a team. The pack players have jerseys with numbers from one to eight. Pack players are made up of the larger, more physical players. The jersey’s with numbers from nine to fifteen constitute the backs which is made up of the fastest team players.
Scoring a goal known as ‘try’ is the main objective of this game. You can achieve a try by touching the ball down inside your opponent’s end zone. There is no particular player that can carry the ball to the zone to make a score. When a player makes a try, it is equivalent to 5 points. Making a try gives you a chance to make a conversion kick. This allows him to add 2 more points to the score if he is successful.
A ‘drop goal’ is another way of scoring. A drop goal is equivalent to 3 points. The drop goal is made by kicking the ball through the upright of your opponent. To make a drop goal the ball should make contact with the ground first before you kick it.
Penalty kicks are also granted on player fouls. Penalty kicks are worth 3 points. The player kicks the ball freely on the site where the foul was committed and behind the 22 meter line.
At present, there are many professional levels of rugby. Like pro football teams in different states, rugby also has teams in different cities. International levels of rugby games are already becoming the most popular of all. International teams are made up of the best players in the city teams in different countries. These days, most people watch these international events.
Source: john trusello