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  • Ninh explains the rules of Rugby Union.

  • The object of the game is for your team to score more points than the opposing team.

  • The game is played with two teams of 15, playing on a field that's 100 metre long between the goal lines.

  • In Rugby Union, you may run forwards with the ball, and you may kick the ball forwards.

  • But what's interesting about Rugby Union is that you can only pass the ball backwards or sideways.

  • You cannot pass the ball forwards, and doing so will result in your opponent being awarded possession.

  • The idea is to score points, and there are several ways to do this.

  • #1 A Try: You can run with the ball into the opponent's in-goal area and place the ball down onto the ground.

  • This is a try and is worth five points.

  • Unlike in American Football, the player must press the ball on the ground with downward pressure.

  • No downward pressure equals no try.

  • #2 A Conversion: After scoring a try you're awarded a conversion kick to add more points.

  • The kick is made from a spot 20 m from the goal line and perpendicular to the spot where the try was scored.

  • Kicking the ball between the posts and over the crossbar scores two points.

  • #3 A penalty:

  • If your opponent commits a foul, you may choose to kick the ball from the ground between the goal posts.

  • This scores three points.

  • #4 A Drop Goal:

  • You can also kick the ball between the posts at any time during open play.

  • To do this you must drop the ball on onto the ground first before kicking it. This also scores three points.

  • To stop you from scoring, your opponents will try and stop you by tackling.

  • Your opponent can grab you below the shoulder and pull you to the floor or stop you moving forwards.

  • In Rugby Union, once a player is tackled, the ball carrier MUST let go of the ball.

  • This usually results in players pushing each other away on the ground whilst a team mate tries to get possession of the ball.

  • Players from either team can get possession at this point.

  • This is known as a ruck and is an important part in the game.

  • To the untrained eye, it looks like a bunch of men rolling around on the floor, but in reality, they're trying to push their opponents away so that they can get the ball.

  • The maul is the other important part of the game.

  • This is essentially a ruck whilst standing up.

  • Players will usually push opposing players backwards in order to get better field position.

  • Unlike in American Football or Rugby League, there are no set limits for possession.

  • If a team can keep the ball for the entire game, they generally will.

  • The game is played in two 40 minute halves.

  • For a combined playing time of 80 minutes.

  • Team with the highest score after 80 minutes wins.

  • That's basically the gist of it, but there's a few other rules you'll need to understand before playing or going to a game.

  • For example, Knock-on:

  • Any player deflecting the ball forwards with their arms or body is committing a knock-on.

  • Remember, you're not allowed to pass the ball forwards, so you're not allowed to deflect it forwards either unless it's a kick.

  • Committing a knock-on will result in the other team being awarded a scrum.

  • Scrum: This is a method of restarting play, usually after a forward pass or knock-on.

  • The forwards of both teams line up and push against one another whilst the ball is rolled between them.

  • In general, any team can win possession of the ball at this point.

  • In Touch:

  • This is rugby terminology for "out of the playing area."

  • The outer lines of the field are touch lines, and any ball leaving the field of play is said to be "in touch."

  • Line-out:

  • This is another method of restarting play, usually when the ball has left the field in touch.

  • Players from each team line up 1 metre apart whilst the ball is thrown between them.

  • Players are allowed to lift teammates up to try and gain possession of the ball.

  • There are many other rules not discussed here, but as you watch or play rugby union, they will be very clear indeed.

  • If you found this video at all helpful, please like, share and subscribe.

  • It takes me ages to make one of these things and good karma is very much appreciated.

  • Be sure to follow me on Twitter also, but in the meantime enjoy Rugby Union.

  • Ninh Ly, www.ninh.co.uk, @NinhLyUK

Ninh explains the rules of Rugby Union.

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