Summary of the Sport:
Rule: |
Description: |
Number of Players |
7 players per team on the field at any point of time. |
Object of the Game |
The object of the game is to carry the ball and place the ball down on the opponents touch line (called a Try) or kick it between the goal posts. |
Time Limit |
Two 20-minute halves with a 10-minute half time. |
The Ball |
A prolate spheroid shaped football. The accepted international size is called the "size 5" and is approximately 27 cm long and 60 cm in circumference at its widest point and weighs around 1lb. |
Advancing the Ball |
Running with the ball, and passing backward/laterally. |
Number of Referees |
3 referees plus booth review. |
Contact? |
The tackler has to attempt to wrap their arms around the player being tackled to complete the tackle. A tackle is deemed to be complete when the player in possession is held on the ground. |
Scoring Methods |
Try (5) Drop Goal (3) Conversion (2) Penalty Goal (1) |
Protective Gear |
Players are only allowed modest padding on Head, Shoulders, Collarbone etc. Only a mouthguard is required. |
Arena Rugby Pitch:
- Overall Dimensions = 200' x 85-100' (61m x 26-30m).
- In-Goal Areas = 25' (4.6m).
- Goal Posts = 10' (3m) wide & 10' (3m) above the ground.
- Sideline Barriers = 4' (1.2m) & may be used to promote business sponsors.
- The ball is a size 5 Rugby Union ball.
- 11–12" (27-30cm) long and 23–24" (58-60m) in circumference at its widest point.
- weighs 410–460 g (14–16 oz) and is inflated to 9.5–10.0 psi.
- Two 20-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime.
- The team in possession of the ball has a shot clock of 40 seconds either 1) advance to midfield, or 2) score.
- Each team gets 2 timeouts per half.
- Overtime periods are 5 minutes in length; each team gets 1 timeout per period.
- 7 players on the pitch; All teams are required to have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 8 reserves.
- Positions = 2 Props, Hooker, Scrum-Half, Fly-Half, center, Fullback
- All teams are allowed unlimited substitutions; all substitutions are done on-the-fly.
- The ball can only be advanced by running and passing.
- Passes can only be made backwards or laterally.
- Balls that bounce off the padded walls that surround the field are "live;"
- A player must not make the ball unplayable by falling down." A player who falls to ground with the ball or on it must immediately release or pass the ball, or get up with it.
- Only the player in possession of the ball may be tackled or interfered with.
- All tackles must be below the shoulders; the tackler has to attempt to wrap their arms around the player being tackled to complete the tackle.
- Tackling or interfering with a player who is not in possession of the ball is not permitted.
- Pushing, shoulder-charging, and tripping are not allowed.
- A tackle is deemed to be complete when the player in possession is held on the ground; that player must play the ball (either releasing it, passing it, or if over the try line grounding the ball) immediately and the tackler must roll away.
- Players are not allowed to go to ground unless they are effectively tackled by an opponent.
- An automatic handover takes place when the team in possession runs out the shot clock.
- If the ball goes out of play, the opposition are awarded a contested scrum. If this is from a kick going into touch on the full this is called ball back and the scrum is formed where contact with the ball was made.
- If a one-on-one tackle is attempted, the tackler can legally strip the ball from the attacking player.
- When an opposing player intercepts a pass.
- When the player in possession drops the ball and it is recovered by an opposition player.
- If a player commits an illegal play the opposing team is awarded a penalty and will receive the ball.
- The attacking team may lose possession in a scrum or tackle.
- Following an unsuccessful kick at goal; If the kick at goal misses and goes dead, play is restarted with a drop out at the 10yd line.
- The team which has just scored kicks off to the conceding team.
- The ball is kicked off from the try-line; all kicks must be made by either place kick or drop kick.
- Punting is illegal because of the size of the playing field.
- The receiving team must field any kick that lands in the field of play; the kicking team is required to give a 5yd empty zone until a player from the receiving team has possession of the ball.
- Any kickoff untouched which is out of bounds or hitting an overhead structure (i.e. scoreboard) will be placed at the 10-yard line or the place where it went out of bounds, whichever is more advantageous to the receiving team.
- Try = 5 points; A player tackled just short of the try-line can legitimately reach across it and place the ball down for a try.
- Drop Goal = 3 points; A player can only kick the ball within the 15yd line.
- Conversion = 2 points.
- Penalty Goal = 1 point.
- None of the tackler's team-mates can attempt to handle or pick up the ball once the ruck has formed.
- Team-mates of the tackled player can use their hands, but only if they are on their feet.
- All players must join the ruck from behind the 'hindmost' foot of the last player.
- They must bind with one arm round a team-mate at the very back of the ruck.
- The ball can often get stuck under a pile of bodies, making it difficult for either team to make it available.
- Players cannot take shortcuts and join from the sides.
- Players are allowed to free the ball by using their boot. This term is called 'rucking'.
- However, they must ensure they do not make contact with players' heads or tread on bodies intentionally.
- All players joining a ruck must be on their feet.
- If the ball does not come out of a ruck after about five seconds, the referee will award a scrum to the team he considers to have the greater forward momentum in the ruck.
- Players can only join in from behind that team-mate. Anyone who comes in from the sides will be penalised by the referee.
- Players joining the maul must have their heads or shoulders no lower than their hips and must have at least one arm bound to a team-mate.
- The team not in possession of the ball cannot deliberately collapse the maul.
- One of the infringements referees have clamped down on in the past few years has been obstruction in the maul, or "truck and trailer" as it has been called.
- This is when a player acts as a screen, blocking tacklers from reaching the ball carrier.
- However players can circumvent this law if two or more team-mates bind around the ball together and move forwards.
- As long as the tackler has a fair opportunity to contest the ball, the referee will allow the maul to continue.
- If the maul stops moving forwards the referee will often shout "use it or lose it" to the team in possession.
- This means they must pass the ball within a five-second time period.
- If they do not the referee will call a scrum and the team not in possession will be given the feed.
- However if a player has caught the ball from a kick-off or a drop-out and is drawn in the middle of a maul inside their own 10yd line, the referee will award the scrum to their side if the ball has not come out in time.
- A maul ends when the ball is passed out or is on the ground.
- Similar to other forms of rugby, both teams must wear their dark color uniforms during games unless either 1) the teams share similar colors or 2) if someone is colorblind; If that is the case, the designated home team will wear their dark color uniforms and the away team will wear either 1) their lighter color uniforms or 2) an alternative darker color uniform.
- Required = Rugby jersey, shorts, socks, cleats and mouthguard.
- Optional padding (but required if suffered a serious injury, and is only required for the afflicted area) = IRB-Approved Headgear, shoulder pads, and shin guards.
- 7-a-side Uniform # System - Props (1/2), Hooker (3), Scrum-Half (4), Fly-Half (5), Center (6), Fullback (7), Utility/Reserves (8-15).