The Simple Rules of Rugby League
The
game duration is 80 minutes split into 2 halves.
Each
team has 13 players on the field and 4 substitutes.
Each
team is 2 parts: 6 bigger size players (forwards) in the middle, and 7
players (backs) who are faster runners and are on the sides, and behind the
forwards.
Forward
passes are forbidden.
Each
team has 6 attempts (or tackles) to score a try.
If the ball-possessing player is tackled on the 6th tackle the ball
is handed over to the opposition team.
Usually,
before the 6th and last tackle, the ball-possessing team uses the strategy
of kicking the ball to the opposite side of the field instead of handing it
over to the other team.
After
a tackle the player has to get up and play the ball backwards with his foot
to his teammate. This move is called “Play the ball”.
2
defenders, called “Markers”, are allowed to stand right in front of the
player playing the ball. The other 11 players must be at a 10 metre distance
backwards otherwise it’s an “Offside”.
A
“Scrum” is done in 2 cases. First, when a ball-possessing player drops
the ball forward doing a “knock on”, and second when the ball-possessing
player goes out of the field’s borders. The scrum is composed of the
forward players facing each other, then a player slides the ball between his
team-mate’s legs, and the ball is played when it goes out of the back of
the scrum.
The points are awarded as follows:
1.
A Try gives 4 points and is scored when the played touches the ground beyond the
score line on the opposite side.
2.
A Goal gives 2 points. An opportunity to kick a goal is given after a try is
scored or in the case of a foul against your team. The kicker must kick the ball
from the ground between the 2 vertical poles and over the horizontal pole.
3.
A Drop Goal gives 1 point. It is scored by kicking the ball after it is dropped
and touches the ground. The ball should also go between the 2 vertical poles and
over the horizontal pole.