An Introduction To Rugby League

Sportscenter posted this on their Instagram last night:

And it got me fired up. By God, where are these massive hits and what game are they playing!? Fear not my American friends I am here today to introduce you to the fine sport of Rugby League (footy). Footy is back! Tonight! From my understanding it is the only live contact sport in the whole world so the time is now to capture the international market. So, if you are missing watching men throw a ball around and engage in bone rattling contact then this is the sport for you.

I want to first make an important distinction. The sport of “rugby” is somewhat know in the US although that version is actually known most other places as “rugby union.” Today I will be talking about rugby league (also called NRL (National Rugby League)) which is admittedly similar in some ways but more confined to Australia, New Zealand and England mostly. I will cover the basics of the sport including players, game play, and rules so if you’re an insomniac with a cable connection you can enjoy the games.

Players and Field

The field is similar to an American football field except that the playing surface is 100 metres long not 100 yards. Rugby League fields also have two “end zones” or try lines where teams have to place the ball to score points. It looks like this:

Each team has 13 players on the field at a time and a maximum of four on the bench. Each team has 10 substitutions they can use per game and the same player can come off and go back on as many times as they like. The players are essentially split into “backs” and “forwards” which is similar to skill positions and linemen in the NFL. The backs are positions 1–7 and the forwards are positions 8–13. The forwards play mostly in the middle of the field and are responsible for the hard yards and tackling, while the backs are more skilful and looking to capatalize on scoring points off the back of their forwards work.

Game play

I’m going to try and just cover the basics here without going too in depth. Half the fun of a new sport is trying to figure it out on your own right? Footy is much more free flowing and non stop than a sport like the NFL. The only time it stops is if the ball goes out of bounds, a penalty is committed, or an error forces a turnover of possession. Each team gets six tackles (downs) while they have the ball. On the sixth tackle (fourth down) most teams will kick (punt) the ball to the other team and play defense. There is no down or distance in Rugby League, you can usually only get a fresh set of six tackles if the other team commits a penalty. If you choose to not kick on sixth tackle, and you do not score your team turns the ball over.

The ball must be passed backwards but can be passed as many times as players like before they are tackled by their opposition. Once tackled, the defender must release the player so he can get up and play the ball backwards so the attacking team can start the next play. While the tackle is being made, the rest of the defensive team must retreat 10 metres before the next play begins otherwise a penalty is awarded. Without a lot of time to plan plays in advance, a lot of the plays are made off the cuff with what the players see in front of them.

Scoring

Much like many other sports, the aim of the game is to score more points than the other team. Teams can score in these ways:

Try (touchdown) — 4 points. A try is scored when a player grounds or places the ball under control over the try line (in the end zone).

Conversion (extra point/s) — 2 points. Much like the point after in NFL, after a try is scored teams are able to kick a conversion goal to get an extra 2 points. The twist is that the kicker must kick from a position directly behind where the try was scored. So, if you score underneath the goal post, you kick from right in front of the goal post, but if you score way out wide then you also have to kick from way out wide. Here’s one of the best:

Penalty goal (field goal) — 2 points. Off the back off a penalty, teams can elect to kick for goal for 2 points as opposed to continuing to play and push for a try.

Drop goal — 1 point. Scored by drop kicking the ball between the goal posts over the crossbar.

Rules

NRL games are played for two 40 minute halves. I think I’ve covered a lot of the rules but here’s a quick recap:

• Must pass the ball backwards — forward pass equals turnover
• 6 tackles on offense — then kick or turn over
• Defensive team must retreat 10 metres from the play the ball each tackle
• If the ball is knocked on or fumbled forward it is a turnover
• Tacklers must allow the ball carrier to get up and play the ball backwards
• No obstruction or blocking for your teammate who has the ball

Penalties

Penalties can be awarded against the attacking or defending team at any time depending on the infringement. When awarded a penalty teams are given these options:

• Kick a penalty goal — worth 2 points
• Kick for touch — wherever the ball lands out is where they will start their new set of six tackles
• Quick tap — a simple tap and go. Usually used when close to the try line.
• Scrum — not opted for usually but the respective forward packs will engage in a scrum with the team that was awarded the penalty getting the feed.

Some of the most common penalties are:

• High tackle — dangerous tackle around the head or neck
• Offside — defending team did not retreat the full 10 metres
• Hands in the ruck — tackler disrupted the ball carrier getting up and playing the ball ie. slowing the game down
• Obstruction or blocking — impeding a defender from getting to the ball carrier

Well, that’s pretty much the basics. There’s still plenty to dive into if people are interested. Scrums, goal line dropouts, 40/20 kicks and much more. The time is now for the NRL to infiltrate the American market. Maybe if they’re smart they’ll even retweet this blog. Guess we’ll see!

P.S We are all Sydney Roosters fans now. Back to back champs chasing a 3-peat. Also, if you need more convincing on why to watch here are some great rugby league plays (and fights).