Rugby is a team game in which opposing teams move a ball up and down a field to score points against the other. It is played similarly to American football, but, although it involves a lot of contact, rugby players don’t wear much protective gear compared to football players.
Rugby is played on a grass field, and has rules about scoring points that are similar to American football. A rugby team will carry or kick an oval ball (which looks like an American football, but slightly bigger) into the opposing team’s end to score points. Scoring points is a challenge because the opposing team will tackle the ball carrier or kicker to prevent the opponent from scoring. Teamwork is required by the attacking team to rush the ball forward and pass the ball to open teammates who weave through defenders. Players can only pass the ball backwards to teammates. Rugby has many of the features of American football, including tackles, hits, long runs, kicking and passing – but the rugby players don’t wear protective equipment. It is also played on a similar-sized field, almost 120 yards in length and 60 feet in width.
The team that scores the most points wins the match.
Shoes – rugby shoes have cleats on the bottom, like spikes, for better traction on grass
Uniform – teammates wear the same shirt, shorts and socks
Mouth guard – protect the teeth during contact with other players
Backs – one of the two key groups of players on the field. The backs are the most athletic and creative, and set up scoring chances for their team
Forwards – tend to be the more physical players on the team, and will do the pushing for position in set plays like the scrum
Scrum – the opposing teams line up against each other, pushing against the other team in a line, and the ball is tossed under the players’ legs so the teams can battle to be the first to pick it up and try to race down the field to score