Rugby Draft
A fast, physical team sport where players carry the oval ball and pass it backward to move forward. Tag and touch versions let beginners play without tackling.
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How to start
What you need
- Rugby ball (size 4 for kids, size 5 for adults)
- Mouthguard (required in most clubs)
- Rugby boots or soccer cleats with rounded studs
- Shorts and a jersey; padded headgear and shoulder pads are optional
- Water bottle
Typical cost
Club fees range from $50 to $300 per season. Basic gear (boots, mouthguard) is about $40 to $120. Tag or touch rugby is often $20 to $60 per season (approximate, varies by city).
Where to play
Local rugby clubs, high schools and universities, community leagues, and tag-rugby groups that play in parks. Many clubs welcome beginners at 'come and try' sessions.
Rules
- Two teams of 15 (rugby union) or 7 (sevens) try to score by carrying the ball over the opponents' try line and touching it down for a try, worth 5 points.
- After a try, the scoring team can kick a conversion for 2 more points. Penalty kicks and drop goals are worth 3 points.
- The ball can only be passed sideways or backward. You can kick it forward.
- A player who is tackled must release the ball. Tackles must be below the shoulders and use arms to wrap.
- After a tackle, a ruck forms. Players must come in through the 'gate' from their own side and cannot use their hands.
- A scrum restarts play after a minor forward pass or knock-on. In touch and tag rugby, a touch (or pulled tag) replaces the tackle.
- Matches are usually 80 minutes in two halves for adults (shorter for kids and sevens).
Drills
Pass and catch 8 min
Stand 5 meters apart. Pass the ball with both hands, rotating from the hip, and catch with hands up. Do 20 passes each direction.
Footwork gates 8 min
Set up cones in a line. Weave between them using sharp steps and keep the ball tucked in two hands.
Tackle technique on a pad 10 min
With a coach, hit a tackle bag from a kneeling and then standing position. Head to the side, shoulder to the thigh, wrap arms, drive with legs.
Touch tag game 12 min
Play small-sided touch, 5 on 5 on a short field. Focus on spacing and passing backward.
Ruck and maul basics 10 min
Practice arriving at a ruck with a low body position and driving over the ball with a low back.
Etiquette
- Show respect to referees and opponents. Shake hands after the game.
- Players usually call out their position and communicate loudly.
- Social events after matches are part of the culture. Join in.
Safety
- Always wear a mouthguard and, for contact, learn tackle technique before games.
- Report head knocks, stop playing, and follow the concussion protocol.
- Never tackle above the shoulders or drive into someone's neck.
Levels
- 1First sessions; learning to pass backward and the rules of tag or touch.
- 2Can pass and catch while moving; understands rucks and offside.
- 3Plays a position in a team; knows basic tackling and breakdown rules.
- 4Reads the game and communicates; plays league matches with some contact.
- 5Strong skills, fitness and tactical understanding; plays competitive club or college rugby.
Questions
Do I need to be big?
No. Rugby has roles for all sizes and speeds.
Is rugby dangerous?
Contact rugby has injury risks. Good coaching, mouthguards, tackle technique and concussion protocols reduce them; tag and touch have far less contact.
What is the difference between union and league?
Union has 15 players and rucks and scrums; league has 13 players, six tackles per set and no rucks. Both are physical and use an oval ball.
Draft guide: written from general knowledge and not yet checked by someone who plays rugby. Costs are approximate and vary by city. Check with a coach or doctor before starting anything new.