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The main object of
Rugby league is for one team to score more points
than the other team. There are 80 minutes in which
to do this. A team can score points through scoring
a "try" or kicking a "goal".
Each team in effect, is given six tackles or chances
to score. If after six tackles they have not
achieved this then the ball is given to the other
team who then also have the chance to score with six
tackles. If a team has not scored by the fifth/last
tackle then the "acting half-back" will generally
pass the ball to the teams "kicker" who will punt
the ball downfield in order to gain "territorial
advantage" The only disadvantage to this tactic is
that if the ball goes out of play on the "full"
before bouncing, the opposition gain possession of
the ball form where the kick was originally made.
It becomes slightly more complicated than this, but
if you grasp this concept then you will have a
greater understanding of the game.
KEY PHRASES AND TERMINOLOGY
Try:
A try is worth four points and is scored when one
team’s player touches the ball down over the goal
line/try line of the opposition. A conversion
follows "worth two points if successful" and is
achieved by kicking the ball over the cross bar and
between the goal posts. For a try and conversion a
team will thus score 6 points.
Forward Pass/Knock On:
The ball can only be passed in a backwards motion
between players. Therefore, if the ball is passed in
a forward motion towards the opponents’ goal-line or
knocked forward by the attacking team when
attempting to catch it, then play will stop and will
be re-started with a scrum awarded to the opposing
team.
Scrum:
The two sets of "Forwards" (six from each team) lock
together and the ball is put into the middle by the
"Scrum-half" of the team that have been awarded the
scrum (called the feed). In modern day rugby, the
team feeding the scrum will nearly always win
possession from the scrum.
Play the Ball:
After a tackle is made, the tackled player restarts
the action and the next "tackle" by standing upright
and rolling the ball through his legs to a team-mate
stood directly behind him. The opposing team must
stand at least 10 metres in front of the player when
this is taking place.
Offside:
Several different types but the most common is when
at least one member of the opposing defending team,
encroaches within the ten metres at the play the
ball - a penalty will result. This offence usually
leads to the greatest number of penalties within a
game and causes the most distress amongst the fans!
Penalty:
Awarded for any foul or rule contravention. The team
awarded the penalty can either kick for goal, or
kick for touch and take six more tackles level with
where the ball landed in touch or continue with six
more tackles.
Acting half-back:
This is a player from the attacking team who picks
up the ball immediately following a play the ball
and passes it to a team mate or makes an attacking
run. He is generally the hooker.
Advantage:
Allowing the advantage means allowing play to
proceed if it is to the advantage of the team which
has not committed an offence or infringement.
Backs:
As applied to a player who is not in the scrum. They
comprise of: Full Back, left winger, left centre,
right centre, left winger and the two creative
players; stand off and scrum half.
Blood-Bin:
Occurs when a player has blood showing or flowing
from a wound. The referee instructs the player to
leave the pitch in order to clear up the blood
injury so that it is not visible. The player may
leave the field for a maximum period of 10 minutes.
Any longer and this temporary substitution becomes a
permanent one.
Dead Ball:
Means that the ball is out of play. ie. the field of
play
Drop Goal:
This type of kick is worth one point to a team if
kicked successfully. Sometimes referred to as a
field goal, this is a goal scored by propelling the
ball on the full, over the cross bar by drop kicking
it.
Dummy:
The pretence of passing or otherwise releasing the
ball whilst still retaining possession of it in
attempt to cause confusion to the defending team
40/20 Rule:
This was introduced to reward excellence in kicking
for touch. If a player kicks the ball into touch and
he is within 40 metres of his own line, (the 40
metre line is marked on the field of play) if the
ball BOUNCES into touch within the 20 metre area of
his opponents half, then the side who have kicked
the ball will have head and feed at the resulting
scrum. This virtually guarantees possession in an
attacking position and is just reward for a precise
kick covering over half the length of the field.
Forward:
A player who takes part in the scrum. Consists of:
Open -side prop, hooker, blind side prop, 2 Second
row forwards and a loose forward.
Full-Time:
Means the end of the game (80 minutes)
Half-Time:
Means the end of the first half 40 minutes.
Kick-off:
The method of restarting the game at the beginning
of each half or after a try, drop-goal or goal has
been scored.
Kicker:
Each side generally has a kicker who takes kicks
either in general play and/or kicks for goal. Any
player from either side may kick at any point in
play however.
Obstruction:
Is the illegal act of impeding an opponent who does
not have the ball.
Marker:
Is a player from the defending team who stands
directly in front of the attacking player at the
play the ball following a completed tackle. The
marker must stand directly in front of the tackled
player and not move until the play the ball has been
completed otherwise he will be penalised.
Play the Ball:
Is the act of bringing the ball into play after the
tackle has been completed by the team with the ball.
Referee:
The man in charge of keeping control of the game and
making sure that the game is played within the rules
of the sport. He is present on the pitch at all
times and it is his job to award penalties to teams
if required and make any decisions whilst still
maintaining the flow of the game.
Sin-Bin:
Occurs when a player from either team commits an
offence which the referee deems to be more serious
than an ordinary foul. The referee shows the
offending player a "yellow card" which means that
the offending player must leave the field
immediately for a period of 10 minutes
Substitutes:
There are 4 on each team and can be introduced at
appropriate moments in the game to replace another
player from the same team.
Territorial Advantage:
Each team aims to spend as much time as possible in
the oppositions half, this is known as territorial
advantage.
Zero Tackle:
Kick reception resulting from an opponent’s kick in
general play. Can also be applied by recovering the
ball when lost by the opposition in a set of six
tackles. Effectively creates seven tackles.
Now all you need to practise is the most important
phrase in rugby league: "gerrem onside!"
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