# Rugby Rules: The Laws of Rugby Simplified

**By Adam Clark** · 2024-10-02

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Rugby union is played between two teams of 15 players, governed by laws set by World Rugby. Unlike many sports, rugby calls its rules "laws" — and there are a lot of them. This guide covers the essentials: how the game works, how points are scored, and what the key terms mean.

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## The basics

The aim is simple: score more points than the opposition. The primary way to do that is by carrying the ball over the opponent's try line and grounding it — a try. You can also score by kicking the ball through the H-shaped goalposts from various situations.

Players can carry the ball forward, kick it forward, but can only pass it backwards or sideways. When a ball carrier is tackled to the ground, play doesn't stop — a contest for possession immediately begins.

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## How does rugby scoring work?

This is the most common question from anyone new to the game. There are four ways to score points:

**Try — 5 points** The main way to score. A player grounds the ball in the opposition's in-goal area (the area beyond the try line). The ball must be held and pressed down with downward pressure — simply carrying it over the line is not enough.

**Conversion — 2 points** After a try is scored, the scoring team gets a kick at goal. The kick must be taken in line with where the try was grounded — which is why players try to score under or near the posts to make the conversion easier. A successful kick adds 2 points to the try's 5, making a converted try worth 7 points in total.

**Penalty goal — 3 points** When the opposition commits a penalty, the non-offending team can choose to kick at goal. If the kick goes between the posts and over the crossbar, they score 3 points. Penalties can be awarded for a wide range of infringements — offside, not releasing the ball in the tackle, collapsing a scrum, and many others.

**Drop goal — 3 points** A player can attempt a drop goal during open play at any time. They drop the ball onto the ground and kick it on the half-volley through the posts. Worth 3 points, drop goals are rare but can be decisive in close matches — Jonny Wilkinson's drop goal to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final being the most famous example.

**Penalty try — 7 points** If the referee determines that a try would have been scored had it not been for foul play by the defending team, they can award a penalty try directly. This is worth 7 points with no conversion kick required.

Score

Points

Try

5

Conversion (after try)

2

Converted try (total)

7

Penalty goal

3

Drop goal

3

Penalty try

7

A [rugby kicking tee](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/rugby-kicking-tees) is used for conversions and penalty kicks — the ball is balanced on the tee before the kicker strikes it.

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## The playing field

Rugby is played on a rectangular grass pitch with H-shaped goalposts at each end. The key lines are:

The try line (also called the goal line) is where tries are scored. Beyond it is the in-goal area — typically up to 22 metres deep. The 22-metre line marks the boundary for certain restarts and defensive kicks. The halfway line divides the pitch. There are also 10-metre lines on either side of halfway, relevant for kick-offs and restarts.

A full breakdown of pitch dimensions and markings is in our [rugby pitch dimensions blog](https://www.rugbystuff.com/blogs/rugby-stuff-news/rugby-union-pitch-dimensions-and-markings).

![Rugby pitch dimensions](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1227/8086/files/URC_2425_1024x1024.png?v=1727365093)

## Players and positions

Each team fields 15 players split into eight forwards (numbers 1-8) and seven backs (numbers 9-15). Forwards do the physical heavy lifting at scrums, lineouts, rucks, and mauls. Backs use the ball to create and finish attacking opportunities.

For a full breakdown of every position and what they do, read our [rugby positions guide](https://www.rugbystuff.com/blogs/rugby-stuff-news/rugby-positions-explained-a-beginners-guide-to-understanding-the-game).

![Rugby Positions Explained](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1227/8086/files/Positions_Graphic_1024x1024.png?v=1727365350)

## Key laws and terms

**Tackle** When a ball carrier is brought to the ground and held by one or more opponents. The tackled player must immediately release the ball. The tackler must also release and roll away. Failure to do so by either player results in a penalty.

**Ruck** Formed after a tackle when at least one player from each team comes into physical contact over the ball on the ground. Players must bind onto teammates and stay on their feet — hands on the ball are not allowed in a ruck. The team that wins the ruck retains possession through their scrum half. Read more in our [what is a ruck guide](https://www.rugbystuff.com/blogs/rugby-stuff-news/what-is-a-ruck-in-rugby-understanding-the-basics-and-beyond).

**Maul** Similar to a ruck but the ball is off the ground. The ball carrier is held by an opponent and at least one teammate binds on. A maul can be driven forward, and the team in possession can keep it moving until it stops or goes to ground.

**Scrum** A set piece used to restart play after a knock-on or forward pass. Eight forwards from each team bind together, engage, and contest for the ball which is fed in by the scrum-half. The hooker tries to win the ball by raking it back with their foot while the pack drives forward. [Soft ground boots](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/soft-ground-rugby-boots) with screw-in studs are essential for forwards in scrums on wet pitches.

**Lineout** Used to restart play after the ball goes into touch (out of bounds). Forwards from each team form a line, and the hooker throws the ball in straight. Players are lifted by teammates to compete for the ball in the air. [Lineout lifting blocks](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/rugby-lifting-blocks-and-lineout-tape) are used in training to develop lifting technique.

**Knock-on** When a player drops the ball or hits it forward with their hand or arm, and the ball travels forward. Results in a scrum to the opposing team.

**Offside** A player is offside if they are in front of a teammate who last played the ball. Offside at the breakdown means being in front of the hindmost foot of the ruck or maul. Offside at the lineout means not standing back 10 metres. Persistent offside results in a penalty.

**Sin bin** A player guilty of a serious or repeated infringement is sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes (2 minutes in sevens), leaving their team a player short. A red card results in permanent dismissal.

**TMO (Television Match Official)** The video referee who assists the on-field referee with try decisions and foul play reviews. The on-field referee can refer decisions to the TMO before awarding or disallowing a try.

**Advantage** When the opposition commits an infringement but the referee allows play to continue because the non-offending team have gained a territorial or tactical benefit. If the advantage doesn't materialise, the referee calls "advantage over" and returns to the original infringement.

**Match length** A standard match lasts 80 minutes — two 40-minute halves with a half-time interval. The clock does not stop for most stoppages, though referees can add time for injuries and other significant delays. Read more in our [how long is a rugby match guide](https://www.rugbystuff.com/blogs/rugby-stuff-news/from-kick-off-to-final-whistle-how-long-is-a-rugby-game).

![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1227/8086/files/Social_Post_24_23_1024x1024.png?v=1727789642)

## The kit

Rugby requires relatively little specialist equipment, but what you wear matters — particularly for forwards.

[Rugby boots](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/all-rugby-boots) are the most important purchase. Forwards typically need [soft ground boots](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/soft-ground-rugby-boots) with screw-in studs for grip in scrums and rucks. Backs generally prefer [firm ground boots](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/firm-ground-rugby-boots) with moulded studs for speed and agility.

A [mouthguard](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/rugby-mouthguards) is compulsory at most levels of the game. [Headguards](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/rugby-head-guards) are widely worn but not mandatory. [Shoulder pads](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/rugby-shoulder-pads) and [body armour](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/body-armour) are permitted within World Rugby specifications. [Rugby shorts](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/rugby-shorts), [socks](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/rugby-socks), and a jersey complete the basic kit.

Browse our full [rugby equipment range](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/rugby-equipment) or our [rugby boots](https://www.rugbystuff.com/collections/all-rugby-boots) if you're just getting started.

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> Source: [Rugbystuff.com](https://www.rugbystuff.com/blogs/rugby-stuff-news/rugby-rules-the-laws-of-rugby-simplified)