Rugby is not just a game, it is a lifestyle. Its essence is not drawn simply from the physical competition on the pitch, but also from friendships that develop from sharing such an uncommon- common bond. We welcome you into our family, and we hope you stay awhile.

Rugby is the ultimate team sport enriched with tradition of sportsmanship on and off the field.  Derived from soccer and the basis for American football, rugby combines 80 minutes of endurance play with the physicality of a tackle game.  There are no set plays, the game doesn’t stop unless there is a score, penalty, or the ball goes out of bounds. A full game of rugby has 40 minute halves with only one stoppage at halftime. 

There are two teams of 15 players on the field - and an allowance of up to 8 substitutes in an official match.  Unlike most sports, our jersey numbers correspond to our position on the field, and there is a position for everyone, no matter your size, speed, or knowledge of the game.

Each team is made up of two types of players: forwards and backs Forwards tend to be the bigger, more aggressive players, while backs are usually quick, agile players. The number on a player’s jersey corresponds to the position she’s playing. 1-8 are forwards; 9-15 are backs. The positions are:

Positions

Props (1 and 3): These players are in the front row of the scrum, and it is their job to support the hooker.

Hooker (2): In a scrum, the hooker is in the front row between the two props. Her job is to “hook” the ball back so the scrumhalf can take it. She is also normally responsible for throwing the ball back in during line-outs.

Locks (4 and 5): In a scrum, they bind on behind the two props to form the second row. They provide much of the drive that moves the scrum forward.

Flankers (6 and 7): Along with the eight-man, flankers are known as “loose forwards.” They bind on to the sides of the scrum and generally have the most mobility.

Eight-man (8): The final position in a scrum. She binds on behind the two locks and holds up the scrum.

Scrum-half (9): The scrum-half serves as the link between the forwards and the backs. She retrieves the ball from line-outs, scrums, and rucks and is usually responsible for dictating plays.

Fly half (10): Usually the first one to receive the ball from the scrum-half, the fly half is responsible for leading the back line in plays.

Wings (11 and 14): Wings are positioned on either side of the back line. They are often the fastest players on the pitch.

Centers (12 and 13): The inside center (12) and outside center (13) do most of the ball handling in the back line. They are usually the ones who crash into the opposing team’s defensive line.

Fullback (15): The fullback is the last line of defense against the opposition. Her main responsibilities are catching kicks and tackling any players who break through the defensive line.

The game begins with a drop kick from one team into the other team’s territory, and the players try to retrieve and advance it.

No forward passes are allowed. The ball may only be passed backward or laterally. There are three main ways for a ball to move forward: by a running ball carrier, by a kick, or by a maul.

When an offensive ball carrier is stopped by a defensive player, the ball carrier is brought to ground in a tackle, in which case players from both teams form a ruck to compete for possession of the ball. If the ball carrier stays on her feet, it is called a maul.

Scoring

Try: 5 Points, placing the ball down to the ground in the try zone.

Conversion Kick: 2 Points, after a try a conversion is attempted from where the ball was placed down

Penalty Goal: 3 Points, a type of kick made through goal posts off of a penalty

Drop Goal: 3 Points, a type of kick made through goal posts during open field play

Glossary of Rugby Terms

Knock-on– A knock-on occurs when the ball is knocked forward off of a player’s body in any way other than a kick. If a knock-on is committed, play is stopped and the game is restarted with a scrum.

Line-out– A line-out occurs when the ball goes out-of-bounds. The forwards on each team line up to catch the ball as it is thrown back in, usually by the hooker. Two lifters on each team will lift a jumper into the air to catch the ball, which is then passed to the scrum-half.

Maul– A maul occurs when a ball carrier is stopped by a defensive player, but instead of being brought to ground, she remains on her feet. Players from both teams form a maul around the ball carrier and compete for possession as they would in a ruck.

Off-sides– At a breakdown, a player is off-sides if she is in front of the back foot of the last player in the breakdown.

Quick Tap– A quick tap is one way to resume play after a penalty. The ball is kicked a very short distance, allowing the kicker to regain the ball and begin an offensive play.

Ruck– After a tackle, players on both sides form a ruck. They bind onto each other and try to drive the opposing team back to win possession of the ball.

Scrum– A scrum is one way to restart play after a minor infringement. Both teams’ forwards bind up in three rows, and then bind on to each other so that the front rows are interlocked. The scrum-half throws the ball into the gap between the two front rows, and the hookers on both teams try to hook the ball back with their feet while the other forwards try to drive the opposing team away from the ball.