Rules of Rugby League

I

Introduction

Rules of Rugby League, 13-a-side field game that developed from rugby union football, but is now radically different. It is a hard, fast-moving sport which needs a high degree of fitness to play well. See also Rugby League, History of.

II

Rudiments of the Game

The goalposts on a standard pitch are 5.64 m (18.5 ft) apart and have a crossbar which is 3 m (10 ft) above ground. The ball is oval and has the approximate dimensions: length—27 to 29 cm (10• to 11y in); circumference—59 to 61 cm (23 to 24 in). A game is controlled by a referee with the help of two touch judges or linesmen. In senior competitions a game has two 40-minute halves with a 5-minute interval. Points are scored in the following ways: (1) a “try”—scored by a player placing the ball on the ground in his opponents’ in-goal area (worth four points); (2) a “goal”—achieved by kicking the ball by a place-kick over the crossbar and between the uprights. A goal can be scored after a try, when it is said to be “improved” or “converted” (two points), and from a penalty kick (two points). A “drop goal”—when the ball is kicked through the goalposts and over the crossbar on the half-volley in open play, is worth one point.

A team comprises six forwards and seven backs. There are two prop forwards and a hooker, two second-row forwards, and a loose forward. The backs consist of a scrum-half, a stand-off half, two centre three-quarters, two wing three-quarters, and a full-back. A game begins with a place-kick from the middle of the centre line. It is restarted in the same way after points have been scored and at the beginning of the second half. Thereafter each side tries to gain as much possession of the ball as possible and, by passing manoeuvres, to score tries. As in rugby union football the ball must be passed backwards or laterally in order to get it forwards.

III

Ball Play

The most important feature which distinguishes rugby league from rugby union is the “play-the-ball” rule. After a player is tackled and brought to the ground while in possession of the ball, he is allowed to get to his feet and play the ball with his foot without being interfered with. As a rule he back-heels the ball to a team-mate standing behind him. This player is known as the acting half-back who, in all probability, will begin a passing movement. The team in possession is allowed five successive play-the-balls. If a team is tackled a sixth successive time, the ball in the meantime not having been touched by an opponent, then possession of the ball is surrendered to the opponents.

A player can gain ground by “finding touch”—kicking the ball forwards so that it first bounces in the field of play before entering touch (that is, outside the field of play). In this case a “scrum” is formed opposite the point where the ball crossed the touch line, 10 m (11 yd) inside the field. At the scrum the non-kicking side has the advantage of feeding the ball into the scrummage. To form a scrum the front-row forwards of a team bind together with their arms, and interlock arms and heads with the opposing front-row forwards in order to form a clear tunnel between the rows. The second-row forwards bind and pack in behind and between the front rows’ thighs and buttocks, and the loose forward packs in in the same way behind and between the two second-row forwards.

A player cannot gain ground by kicking the ball forwards so that it enters touch without it first bouncing in the field of play, except from a penalty kick. Kicking the ball into touch on the full is referred to colloquially as “ball back” to signify that no ground has been gained and a scrum is formed where the ball was kicked. This does not apply to a place kick from the centre. In this case a penalty is awarded against the kicker.

A player can gain ground from a penalty kick by kicking the ball into touch on the full, and in this case the kicker’s side is allowed to regain possession of the ball by taking a second kick 10 m (11 yd) in from touch and opposite the point of entry into touch. If a player kicks the ball from his own in-goal area and it goes into touch on the full, the game is restarted with a drop-out kick from between the posts.

If the ball is kicked or carried over the dead-ball line or touched down by a defender, or kicked into touch on the full by a defender, the game is restarted by the defending side drop-kicking from between the goalposts. If the ball is kicked over the touch-in-goal line or dead-ball line by an attacking player or an attacking player infringes in the opponent’s in-goal area, the game is restarted by the defending side kicking the ball forwards from the centre of the 22-metre line. A player may tap the ball forwards and regain it himself, providing the ball has crossed the line.

IV

Possible Infringements

There are many possible infringements, but the commonest are: (1) a “forward pass”—when the ball is thrown or passed accidentally (or deliberately) towards the opponents’ goal line; (2) a “knock-on”—when the ball, after touching the hand or arm of the player, is dropped to the ground in a forwards direction (that is, towards the opponent’s goal line); (3) “obstruction”—impeding an opponent who does not have the ball; (4) “offside”—a player is offside (except when in his own goal area) when the ball is held or played by a member of his own team behind him. In that case the player must make no attempt to join in the play, nor may he encroach within 10 m (11 yd) of any player who is waiting for the ball; and he must move 10 m (11 yd) from any player who gains possession. He is put onside if: (1) an opponent carries the ball for more than 10 m (11 yd); (2) an opponent touches the ball without holding it; (3) a team-mate runs in front of him holding the ball or chasing a kick forward; (4) he retires beyond the point where the ball was last played by a member of his own side.

In the case of an accidental forward pass or knock-on the referee orders a scrum and the non-offending side has the put-in. In the case of an offside or obstruction the referee is likely to award a penalty kick to the non-offending side. If within range of the goal there will probably be a kick at goal. Fouls involving rough play are punished by a penalty. If a player who scores a try is fouled by a defender a penalty is awarded at the centre of the line 10 m (11 yd) from the goal line. This penalty is a kick at goal only and is taken after, and in addition to, the conversion attempt. As in other games an advantage rule operates. Play is allowed to go on if that is to the advantage of the side which has not committed an offence. There are many other rules and features of technique.