-The field that rugby is played on is called a pitch. The pitch is expected to be 100 yards long by 75 yards wide. The sidelines are called touchlines and there are two in-goal areas which are expected to be 10 to 25 yards deep with a try line marking the front and a dead ball line at the back. The goal posts are located on the try line and are 18' 6" apart with a crossbar set at 10 feet. The height of the uprights can vary but should not be less than 10'. Measurements are now generally quoted on in meters.

click to enlarge

-Other important lines on the pitch include the half way mark at 50 meters. A dashed 10 meter line set each side of the 50 meter line which is used to judge kickoffs and a solid 22 meter line marked 22 meters from each try line. Other lines include dashed lines set at 5 meters marked parallel to each touchline. This line is used to mark the front of the line out.  On some pitches a dashed 15 meter line is also marked.  These two parallel lines are used mostly to identify the zones for line outs.

-Rugby union is played in different variations depending on the number of players on the field for each team. The typical game is played with fifteen players per side and lasts 80 minutes, with 40 minutes being played in each half. (35 minutes maximum per half for TRU high schools). An abridged version is also very popular and is played with seven players per team over two seven minute halves. A less often played version is called tens and is played with ten players per side.

-'Teams in a "fifteens" match will consist of two groups of players, the forwards and the backs. Each position has a specific number and responsibilities during the two 40 minutes halves of a match. The following diagram shows the position of each player at a set scrum with the team set up for offense:

click to enlarge

-The Role and Goals of Each Position
In rugby, especially the modern game, everyone must be able to run, pass, tackle and kick the ball as well as know where to be positionally in support of the player in possession of the ball and what to do in rucks and mauls. General, player attributes are:  PHYSICAL - Speed, Strength, Agility, Acceleration, Flexibility; MENTAL - Mental Toughness, Determination, Composure; OTHER - Discipline to Team Plan, Self Discipline, Knowledge of the Laws.

-THE FORWARDS: In general the forwards job is to gain possession of the ball for their team from the set pieces (scrums and line outs) as well as loose play (rucks and mauls). There are eight forwards in the "pack".  Specific roles for each position are as follows:

-Props: (# 1 & 3) form the platform for the front row in scrums supporting the hooker.  In addition, when the ball is put in to the scrum by the scrum half, the loose head prop (always on the left) assists the hooker in trapping the ball with his left foot (the hooker  uses his right foot) and directing it to the back of the scrum.  The props will also provide support in the line outs to the line out jumpers - assisting them by holding them up when they jump and then `binding" on the jumper to protect possession of the ball.
Specific position skills & measurements are: Scrum formation & engagement, Body shape & height in scrum, Lineout support on the our throw, Line out pressure on opposition throw, Body height and angle at the ruck & maul, Drive/impact at the breakdown (rucks & mauls), Mobility in attack & defense, Kickoff support, Effectiveness in tackling, Ball running & retention after contact.

-Hooker: (# 2) As described above the hooker's role in the scrum is to ensure that the ball is "hooked" back.
In general the hooker also calls the signals in the line outs and is the one who throws the ball into the line out to one of three jumpers - usually the locks standing 2nd and 4th in the line out and the no. 8 standing 6th in the line out.
Specific position skills measurements are: Line out throws, Line out work on own ball, Line out work on opposition ball, Scrum organization, Hooking, Ball running & retention after contact, Body height and angle at the ruck & maul, Involvement & effectiveness at the breakdown, Drive/impact at the breakdown (rucks & mauls), Kickoff support.

-Locks:  (# 4 & 5) The locks "bind" together in the scrums and provide support to the front row by pushing between the hooker and props.  The locks are usually the tallest forwards and are therefore the line out specialists who jump high for the ball when thrown in after going out of bounds.  The locks jumping in the line out and the hooker throwing the ball in the line out must have an understanding to effectively time the throw in with the jump to get maximum advantage.
Specific position skills measurements are: Quality and consistency of push in the scrum, Body shape in the scrum, Drive in rucks & mauls, Body height & angle in ruck & mauls, Line out jumping, Reaction to opposition ball in line out, Delivery of ball in line out, Kickoffs & restarts, Number of touches in general play, Number of quality tackles made, Mobility in general play, Impact while carrying the ball & ball retention in the tackle.

-Wing Forwards: (#6 & 7).  Wing forwards provide support in the scrum by packing their inside shoulder against the respective props and by pushing forward when the ball is put into the scrum.  In addition the wing forwards, by the fact that they are the first to "break away" when the ball comes out and a scrum is over, provide support to the backs by following the ball wherever it goes.  Wing forwards should be the first to a break down after a tackle and try to regain possession.  Wing forwards are also marauders trying to disrupt the other side by tackling their players in possession of the ball.
Specific position skills measurements are: Contribution to scrum, Contribution to the line out, Pressure on the opposition in close, Pressure on the opposition out wide, Running line in attack (support play, linking) & defense, Effectiveness in the tackle, Effectiveness at the breakdown, securing ball, Speed of arrival at the breakdown, Relative contribution in front & behind the gain line, Relative contribution on open side & blind side, General involvement in play, Basic skills- running, handling, evasion, Impact on the game.

-Eighth Man: (# 8) The number 8 or eighth man's job is similar to the wing forwards.  In addition the No. 8 is a primary link to the backs in both set pieces (scrums and mauls) and loose play.  The No. 8 may also be used as a line out specialist at the 6th position in the line out.  The # 8 is responsible for play variations from the scrum such as picking up the ball at the back of the scrum and running around the blind side or towards the opposing fly half to pull him into a loose maul and then get a quick second phase ball out to his backs.
Specific position skills measurements are: Contribution to scrum, Contribution to the line out, Pressure on the opposition in close, Pressure on the opposition out wide, Running line in attack (support play, linking) & defense, Effectiveness in the tackle, Effectiveness at the breakdown, securing ball, Speed of arrival at the breakdown, Relative contribution in front & behind the gain line, Relative contribution on open side & blind side, General involvement in play, Basic skills- running, handling, evasion, Impact on the game.

-THE BACKS:   The role of the backs is primarily to receive the ball from the forwards on offense and to advance the ball passed the defenders through running, lateral passing or kecking the ball ahead.

-Scrum Half: (# 9)  The scrum half is the link between the forwards and the backs in the set pieces (line outs and scrums). More than anyone else on the field the scrum half must be at the base of every loose play, (mauls and rucks) to pick the ball up and throw it to the backs (usually the fly half).  The scrum half puts the ball into the set scrums and is usually the player who often restarts play from a penalty awarded to his team.  The scrum half also acts as an extra loose forward and must be able to tackle well and try to regain possession of the ball in loose play.  The scrum half may also use tactical kicking from the base of the scrum, line outs and loose play if the situation dictates it.
Specific position skills measurements are: Service from the scrum, Service from the line out, Service from general play, Kicking, Handling under pressure, Putting pressure on your opposite, Blind side work in attack & defense, Communication with the forwards, Communication with the backs, Variety in ball usage, Field vision, Decision-making, Organization skills, Effective tackling.

-Fly Half: (# 10) The fly half takes possession of the ball from the scrum half (and occasionally any other player who picks it up in a loose play situation) and determines whether to quickly pass the ball on to the inside center, throw a skip pass, kick tactically over the heads of the defending backs or run with the ball.  Other set team play variations are often called by the fly half.  The fly half generally is the player who takes the restart kicks from half way or for a 22 meter drop outs.  The fly half will generally run behind his back line in defense to add as an extra defense and will also back up the full back if he is out of position.
Specific position skills measurements are: Starting position, Running alignment & angle, Quality & speed of ball transfer, Support lines & effort, Ability to control game, Kicking quality clearing kicks, Kicking quality - kicks for territory, Kicking quality - kicks for pressure, Organization & bringing up defense, Defense - effectiveness in the tackle, Composure under pressure.

-Centers: (# 12 & 13)  Centers can play left and right (that is one is always the left center and one is always the right center) or they can play inside center and outside center (the inside center is always next to fly half in the back line).  Generally the inside center is a strong runner who can also run into the opposing centers and set up for second phase possession.  The outside center will usually be a faster runner. Centers must mark their opposing man in defense and ensure that they do not get passed them.
Specific position skills measurements are: Running alignment, Running angle, Agility & running skills, Quality & timing of ball transfer, Support play, Creativity, Midfield tackling, Chasing of kicks, Counter attack contribution, Communication in defense.

-Wings:  (# 11 & 14) Wings are designated left (#11) and right (#14).  The wings are at the end of the back line and their job is to take the ball at speed and try to beat the defense.  Wings must also be able to link back and pass the ball inside to another player and also be able to chip kick the ball ahead and across over the defenders heads when the situation calls for it.  Wingers are usually the fastest backs.
Specific position skills measurements are: Finishing, Involvement on own side field in attack & defense, Involvement on other side of field in attack & defense, Support for the fullback, Communication with the fullback & the other wing, Chasing kicks, Penetration achieved, Positional play from scrum & line out in attack & defense, Counter attack, Receiving kicks & returning or other options, Control of ball at contact, Defensive qualities - tackles made.

-Full Back: (# 15) The full back is the last line of defense and must be a good tackler as well as field high kicks from the opposition and determine whether to run back or kick for out of bounds depending on the situation.  The full back also acts as an extra attacking back by coming into the back line in different attacking variations to create an extra man situation.
Specific position skills measurements: Catching & kicking, Organization of the back three (defense, kicks & counter attack), Positional play - defense & attack, Defensive position & tackling, Contribution to penetration, Staying in the attack - support, chasing , Communication skills, Evasion skills.

-A coin toss determines the team which will kickoff first. The kicking team will send their forwards to one side of the pitch at the 50 meter line. The opposing forwards will move in front of their opposites, but spread out behind the 10 meter line in preparation to receive the kick.

-If the ball is held up off the ground, once more than any two players have bound together a maul is formed. If the ball has gone to ground, then the group of bound players is called a ruck. The very important principle of rucks and mauls is that once they are set, two imaginary offsides lines become present at the back of each team's rucking/mauling players extending from touchline to touchline. Any player running into the zone who is not joining the ruck or maul, from behind this line, before the ball leaves is considered offside and a penalty can be awarded to the other team.

click to enlarge

-Offside is the most common penalty during a match. If a penalty is awarded within goal kicking distance of a team's kicker, the team captain may elect to have the kicker take an uncontested place kick at goal for three points from a spot determined by the referee called a mark. If the kick is successful, play is restarted at the 50 meter line with a drop kick back to the scoring team. After an unsuccessful penalty kick, play is usually restarted by a drop kick (a kick executed by allowing the ball to hit the ground before kicking it) to the kick attempting team from the 22 meter line. This restart is called a 22 meter dropout.

-If and when the ball is produced from a ruck or maul without penalty, usually by the scrum half, the ball will most often be passed to a forward charging back through the defense or to the fly half who has predetermined a course of action.

-Most tactical kicks by the fly half will be to advance the ball up field and into touch. He will take this option most often to clear the ball during heavy pressure. He can also kick the ball forward expecting a fast charging back to recover the ball before the opposition. Any person chasing a kick must have started the chase from behind the kicker or have been previously overtaken by the kicker or someone who was behind the kicker. Thus anyone in front of a kick is offside until put onside by the kicker or someone who was behind the kicker. Another important aspect of tactical kicking is that a kick to touch from behind the 22 meter line is marked at the point the ball left the pitch. A kick taken in front of the 22 meter line must land in field or a touch a player on the field before going into touch, otherwise the line-out is awarded at the location of the kick and not where it went out. A penalty kick in front of the 22 is allowed to be kicked directly to touch.

-Other tactical kicks include a drop goal kick, an up-and-under, chip and grubber kicks. When a team is putting good pressure on the opposing side's try line, a player can decide to attempt a drop kick at goal for three points. The ball must be dropped and touch the ground before being kicked through the goal posts to be awarded. An up-and-under is a kick placed very shallow and very high. The idea is to put the receiving opposition players under incredible pressure and give your own players the time to get underneath the descending ball. A chip kick is best utilized in an open field situation by a runner who is about to be stopped. As a player cannot be tackled without the ball in hand, a runner can kick the ball just over an onrushing defender allowing the runner, or supporting runner, to go past untouched hoping to recover the kick. A grubber kick is in principle much the same as a chip kick, but is kicked along the ground.

Scrums

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

-Sevens is typically played only during tournaments. A sevens match consists of two seven minute halves and is a much faster game than fifteens due to the smaller number of players on a standard sized pitch providing ample running space. The players on a sevens team are as follows:

Forwards
#1 - Prop
#2 - Hooker
#3 - Prop

Backs - the group of players normally numbered 9 through 15 who do not participate in scrums and line outs, except for the scrum half.