How to Play Rugby | Beginner’s Guide to Rugby League & Rugby Union

Rugby is one of the ultimate team sports, famous for its physicality and strategy. It might look intimidating, but the game itself is simple. This beginner’s guide to rugby is designed to simplify the rules of both the 13-player Rugby League and the 15-player Rugby Union. We explain the key differences between the two codes and help you step onto the pitch with confidence!

Key Takeaways

• Rugby League is structured by the Six-Tackle Rule, while Rugby Union involves continuous competition for the ball in rucks and mauls.
• When learning how to play rugby, a properly fitted mouthguard is the single most essential piece of protective gear required for all contact play in both codes.
• Summit Sport provides all the necessary rugby equipment, from specialised balls for both codes to essential training aids like the Summit School Rugby Ball Pack.

What is Rugby? League vs Union Explained

So, what is rugby? Simply put, it’s a sport played with an oval ball where the objective is to score by running and grounding the ball over the opponent’s try line.

• Rugby League: Played with 13 players per side. It’s known for faster, more open play due to the 6-tackle rule; possession is handed over to the other team if they fail to score after six tackles.
• Rugby Union: Played with 15 players per side. It features a more set-piece-focused game involving scrums, lineouts, and continuous competition for the ball.
• Key Differences: Rugby Union has more players, scrums, and lineouts, while Rugby League focuses on faster play with fewer stoppages and a structured turnover system.

Rugby Union features a more set-piece-focused game involving scrums among other tactics.

How Long Are Rugby Games?

The rugby game length is standardised for senior professional competition in both codes.

• Rugby Union: Official timing is 80 minutes (two 40-minute halves) with a 10-15 minute halftime break. Rugby Sevens is much shorter, lasting only 14 minutes (two 7-minute halves).
• Rugby League: Official timing is also 80 minutes (two 40-minute halves), but the game is typically faster-paced due to the structured "Play-the-Ball" restart, resulting in fewer stoppages than Union.
• Variations: Game length is often reduced for friendly, social, or junior matches depending on the age group.

Rugby Positions: The Forwards and the Backs

Understanding rugby positions helps clarify the structure of how to play rugby. In both codes, players are divided into two distinct groups based on their role.

• Forwards (The Engine Room): These players are generally bigger and stronger, focused on the contact elements—tackling, securing possession in rucks/scrums, and driving the ball forward. Their job is to gain ground and protect the ball.
• Backs (The Attackers): These players are usually faster and more agile. They are responsible for the offensive movement, ball-handling skills, running with pace, and scoring tries in the open field.

For a more detailed breakdown, check out: The Ultimate Rugby League and Union Positions Guide.

Understanding the Basic Rules of Rugby

Understanding the core rugby game rules is the first step to mastering how to play rugby.

Here’s a simple breakdown of everything you need to know.

Number of Players

• Rugby League: 13 players per side.
• Rugby Union: 15 players per side (or 7 in Rugby Sevens).

Scoring

The primary goal is to score a try. This is how rugby games are scored:

• Try: A player grounds the ball over the opposition's try line. It is worth 5 points in Rugby Union and 4 points in Rugby League.
• Conversion Kick: A kick for 2 bonus points awarded after a try.
• Penalty Kick/Drop Goal: Kicking the ball through the uprights is typically worth 3 points in both codes (though the rules for when these are awarded differ).

Offside and Tackling

• Tackling: This is a fundamental part of the game. Players must tackle the ball carrier below the shoulders with the aim of stopping their progress.
• Offside: Players must remain behind the ball when it is played or kicked by a teammate. Failure to retreat behind the offside line results in a penalty.

It's important tackles are made below the shoulders, otherwise they're considered dangerous.

Scrums & Lineouts

• Rugby Union: Scrums and lineouts are major features used to restart play after certain infringements (like a forward pass) or when the ball goes out of bounds. A scrum is a method of restarting play, where players bind together and push to win possession of the ball.
• Rugby League: Scrums are still used but are less competitive and often uncontested. There are no lineouts. Possession is handed over with a scrum or simple handover after a knock-on.

Lineouts are used in rugby union to restart play after certain infringements.

How to Play Rugby: A Step-by-Step Beginner Guide

Learning how to play rugby involves understanding roles, field boundaries, and core movements.

• Form a Team: Know whether you are playing Rugby Union (15 players) or Rugby League (13 players) to understand your role.
• Understand the Field: Familiarise yourself with the markings, including the try lines, 22-meter lines, and the halfway line.
• Passing & Catching: Rugby is focused on passing the ball backward to maintain possession and move down the field in a series of passes.
• Tackling: Learn how to tackle safely and effectively, aiming for the ball carrier's waist and legs.
• Restart Methods: Master the required restart method. Scrums, lineouts, and free kicks in Union, or the six-tackle handover in League.
• Start Playing: Practice with simple drills focusing on passing, catching, and kicking to build foundational skills.

Why Play Rugby?

Forget what you think you know about rugby! It isn't just about big hits. It's an incredible workout and a brilliant team experience. You'll boost your strength, endurance, and agility thanks to all the cardio. Plus, it’s a fiercely collaborative game that demands constant communication and coordination from every player. The result is a rush of physical challenge, smart tactics, and thrilling action that will hook you immediately!

Getting Started with the Right Equipment

If this beginner’s guide to rugby has you ready to play, securing the right rugby equipment is your most crucial step for safety and confidence.

• Rugby Balls: We stock balls for both Rugby League and Rugby Union, including the Summit School Rugby Ball Pack, ensuring you learn the game with the correct grip and size.
• Training Essentials: Boost your practice with resources like the SUMMIT Mesh Sports Bibs for drills and the SUMMIT Coaching Folder for organising plays.
• Rugby Accessories: Enhance skill development with items like the Passing Target and essential training aids such as agility poles and ladders.

Visit Summit Sport to explore our full rugby equipment collection and ensure you have the correct, high-quality gear for your chosen code.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is a try in rugby?

A try is the main way to score: a player must run the ball into the opponent's end zone and ground it with downward pressure. It is the most valuable score, worth 5 points in Union and 4 points in League, and earns the team a bonus kick attempt.

How do rugby teams score?

Teams score points through four main methods: the highly valued try, which is the grounding of the ball, plus the subsequent kick for a conversion. They can also score through penalty kicks and drop goals aimed between the upright posts.

What is offside in rugby?

A player is offside if they are ahead of the teammate who last played the ball, and they are immediately prohibited from participating in the game. The key is to always stay behind the ball carrier or the kicker to remain eligible for play.

What is a scrum?

A scrum is a method of restarting play after minor fouls like a forward pass, primarily used in Rugby Union. The forwards from each team interlock and push against each other for possession of the ball, making it a major physical contest.