Rugby Terminology FAQ

The referee’s whistle is used to signal various actions during a rugby match, such as stoppages, infringements, or the end of a period.

A knock-on happens when a player accidentally knocks the ball forward with their hands or arms. It results in a scrum being awarded to the opposing team.

The touchline in rugby refers to the boundary lines on either side of the field. If the ball or a player carrying the ball goes out of bounds, it is considered to have crossed the touchline, resulting in a lineout or a scrum, depending on the circumstances.

A rugby pitch is the playing field where rugby matches are conducted, typically featuring grass or artificial turf and defined boundaries.

Knock-on advantage is when the team that didn’t knock the ball on gets a chance to play advantage from the referee instead of immediately stopping play for the scrum. If they fail to capitalize on this advantage, play will return to the original knock-on situation.

In rugby, a try is a method of scoring points by grounding the ball in the opponent’s in-goal area. It’s worth five points and is the primary method of scoring in the game. After scoring a try, the team is awarded the opportunity to attempt a conversion kick for additional points.

Rugby union is a form of rugby football characterized by two teams of fifteen players each, competing to score points by carrying or kicking the ball.

A loose ball in rugby is a ball that is not in the possession of any player and is free to be picked up or played by either team. It often occurs from dropped passes, knock-ons, or turnovers in possession.

The tryline, also known as the goal line, is the boundary line at each end of the rugby field. It marks the area where players score tries by grounding the ball. Crossing this line with the ball under control results in a try being awarded to the attacking team.

A 22 drop out occurs when the defending team kicks the ball from their own 22-meter line after it was last touched by the attacking team but didn’t result in a try.

A mouthguard is a protective device worn over the teeth and gums to help prevent dental injuries during contact sports like rugby. It absorbs and disperses the force of impact, reducing the risk of broken teeth, jaw injuries, and concussions.

The sin bin is a temporary suspension area for players who commit serious or repeated infractions during a rugby match. When a player is sent to the sin bin, their team plays with one fewer player for a specified amount of time, typically 10 minutes, allowing the opposing team a potential advantage.

The 22-meter line in rugby marks the point on the field, 22 meters from the defending team’s try line, where a drop-out or scrum occurs after certain events.

Offside in rugby occurs when a player is in a position that is ahead of a teammate who is carrying the ball or ahead of the ball itself during play. Being offside can result in penalties that can be taken as kicks or scrums, depending on the situation.

A try in rugby occurs when a player grounds the ball with downward pressure in the opponent’s in-goal area. It’s the primary method of scoring and is worth five points. After scoring a try, the team is given the opportunity to attempt a conversion kick for additional points.

50-22′ is a rugby rule where if a team kicks the ball from their own half and it bounces in the field of play before going into touch inside the opponent’s 22, they gain the throw-in at the resulting lineout.

In rugby, a penalty is awarded by the referee against a team for a rule infringement committed by its players. The non-offending team can choose to kick the ball for territory or attempt a goal kick, or they may opt for a scrum or lineout.

In rugby, a yellow card is a disciplinary action issued by the referee to a player for committing a serious or repeated infraction. The player must leave the field for a specified period, typically 10 minutes, during which their team plays with one fewer player, giving the opposing team a potential advantage.

Advantage is a rugby term used by referees to allow play to continue after a minor infringement by the defending team, giving the attacking team an opportunity to gain a more favorable position.

A red card in rugby is a severe disciplinary action taken by the referee against a player for serious foul play or repeated infringements. It results in the player being sent off the field for the remainder of the match, and their team must play with one fewer player.

The advantage line is an imaginary line on the rugby field that is parallel to the halfway line and denotes the point beyond which the attacking team must reach to maintain an advantage granted by the referee.

The referee in rugby is the official responsible for enforcing the laws of the game, ensuring fair play, and making decisions during a match. They have the authority to award penalties, free kicks, and cards, as well as to manage player behavior and the overall flow of the game.

A conversion is an attempt to kick the ball over the crossbar and between the goal posts after a try has been scored, earning additional points for the scoring team.

Rugby boots are specialized footwear designed for playing rugby. They typically have studs or cleats on the sole to provide traction and grip on the grassy or muddy surface of a rugby field. Rugby boots offer stability, support, and protection to players during matches and training.

A drop goal is a method of scoring in rugby where a player kicks the ball through the goal posts during open play by dropping it to the ground and kicking it just after it bounces.

A scrum cap is a piece of protective equipment worn by rugby players, primarily forwards, to reduce the risk of head injuries, particularly during scrums and collisions. While it doesn’t prevent concussions, it can offer some protection against cuts, abrasions, and minor impacts.

In rugby, a forward pass occurs when a player throws or passes the ball forward towards the opponent’s goal line, which is against the rules and results in a scrum awarded to the opposing team.

A set piece in rugby refers to a structured situation where the ball is put back into play after a stoppage, typically a scrum or a lineout. Set pieces are important for both attacking and defending teams, as they provide opportunities to regain possession or launch an attack.

Headgear in rugby refers to protective equipment worn by players to reduce the risk of head injuries, typically including padded helmets or scrum caps.

The sin bin in rugby is a temporary suspension from the game for a player who has committed a serious foul or multiple infractions. Players typically spend 10 minutes off the field, during which their team plays with one fewer player. Sin bins are indicated by a yellow card from the referee.

In rugby, ‘held-up’ refers to a situation where a player carrying the ball is prevented from scoring a try by the defending team’s efforts and the ball does not touch the ground.

Substitution in rugby is the replacement of one player with another during a match. Teams can make substitutions for tactical reasons, to replace injured players, or to provide fresh legs and energy as the game progresses. Substitutions must follow the rules and be approved by the match officials.

A high tackle in rugby refers to a tackle where a player makes contact above the line of the opponent’s shoulders. This is dangerous and can result in penalties or disciplinary action due to the risk of injury, especially to the head and neck area.

A tap penalty is a restart in rugby awarded to the non-offending team following a penalty. Instead of kicking for territory or attempting a goal kick, the team chooses to quickly tap the ball with their hand and resume play, often to catch the opposing team off guard and gain momentum.

The in-goal area is the area behind the try line on a rugby field. It’s where a player must ground the ball to score a try. It’s also where a drop-out or 5-meter scrum takes place when the attacking team puts the ball into touch in their opponent’s in-goal area.

The Television Match Official (TMO) is an off-field match official who assists the on-field referee with making decisions using video replays. The TMO reviews incidents such as potential tries, foul play, and other key moments to ensure fair and accurate decisions are made during the match.

In rugby, a Grand Slam refers to a team winning all of its matches in a specific tournament, usually the Six Nations or Rugby Championship.

In-goal touch refers to when the ball or a player carrying the ball goes into touch (out of bounds) within the in-goal area. When this happens, a restart occurs with either a 22-meter drop-out or a scrum, depending on who last touched the ball.

A touch judge in rugby assists the referee by making calls along the sidelines, particularly regarding the ball going out of bounds. They also help with offside calls and foul play incidents that occur out of the referee’s sight.

Key skills for effective rugby play include agility, strength, speed, endurance, decision-making, communication, and teamwork. Developing these skills through practice, coaching, and game experience is crucial for players to perform well and contribute to their team’s success.

A Captain’s challenge is a mechanism where the team captain can request a review of a referee’s decision during a match, usually limited to certain situations.

A conversion kicker is a player responsible for attempting to kick the ball through the goal posts after a try has been scored, earning additional points.

In rugby, ‘dummy’ refers to a deceptive move made by a player to mislead the opposition, often involving a fake pass or run.

Fifteens’ refers to the standard form of rugby played with fifteen players on each team, as opposed to other variations like sevens or tens.

A goal kicker is a player designated to take penalty kicks or conversion attempts at goal during a rugby match.