5m line (from goal line)

Sometimes a penalty or scrum will be awarded and take place here.

15m line

This is the back of the lineout. Those taking part in the lineout must stand within this line.

5m line (first dashed line from the touc

This is the front of the lineout. In a lineout, the ball must go at least 5m.

Touch line

Play stops when the ball goes past these lines (also called going into touch). You restart play with a lineout where the ball or person went out of bounds.

Halfway line

This is where the ball is kicked from to start each half of the game.

10 meter line

(can also be referred to as the 40m line). This is the line where the ball must cross during kick offs

22 meter line

Sometimes when the ball goes past the dead ball line, the team defending that try zone will drop kick the ball from this 22m line.

Try Zone

This is where you score! You must touch the ball down anywhere in this zone with downward pressure. Wherever you touch the ball down in this zone, is where you attempt to drop kick the ball through the posts.

Drop goal

This occurs in open play anywhere on the field where a player attempts a drop kick through the goal posts. Any player can attempt this.

Penalty Kick

When there is a penalty in your favor, you are able to elect to kick to attempt to kick the ball through the posts. The kick is worth 3 points and must be taken from where the penalty occurred. This kick is taken off of a tee, but can also be a drop kick if you prefer.

Conversion Kick

This kick is worth an additional 2 points. The conversion kick is taken from the spot where the ball was touched down when the try was scored. Scoring as close to the goal posts is important because it makes the conversion kick significantly easier. This kick is taken off of a tee, but can also be a drop kick if you prefer.

Try

When you score! You must touch the ball down in the opponent’s try zone with downward pressure on the ball. Scoring a try is worth 5 points. After you score, you are able to attempt a conversion kick.

Maul

Occurs when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball-carrier’s teammates bind on the ball-carrier. All the players involved are on their feet and moving towards the goal line.

Ruck

A ruck happens after someone is tackled with the ball on the ground. One or more players from each team, who are on their feet and in contact, close around the ball. Once a ruck is formed (this happens when a player from each team are in contact with each other), players cannot use their hands to get the ball.

Lineout

Looks somewhat like a jump-ball in basketball, with both teams lining up opposite each other, one team then throws the ball down the middle of the tunnel. Lineouts restart play after the ball or player carrying the ball, has gone out of bounds.

Scrum

A contest for the ball involving eight players who bind together and push against the other team’s eight assembled for possession of the ball. Scrums restart play after certain minor infractions (such as a knock on or a forward pass).