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INTRODUCTION

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BASIC RULES & THE FIELD OF PLAYThe basic aim is naturally to score more points than your opponents. Points are scored in Rugby League on the following basis:

Try - 4 pointsA try is scored when the ball is grounded over the try line of the opposing team.

Conversion - 2 pointsFollowing a try a team is given an extra opportunity to score points by kicking the ball from a position directly related to where the try was scored. To score these ‘extra’ two points, the kicker must get the ball through the uprights of the posts and above the crossbar.

Drop goal - 1 pointScored by drop kicking the ball so that it passes between the posts and above the crossbar.

Penalty goal - 2 points After an infringement, the team awarded a penalty can take a kick at goal and will gain two points if successful.

The game starts with a kick-off as one team kicks the ball into the opposition half and then attempts to gain possession. The team in possession then attempt to move the ball up the pitch by passing it to hand or kicking it.

There are rules concerning how the ball must be passed and for how long teams are able to keep possession before it passes to their opponents. The most basic rules are:

•The ball when passed by hand has to be passed backwards.

•Player can pass the ball as many times as they like until one of them is tackled (brought down legally and held) in possession.

Teams have possession of the ball for six tackles or plays. On the sixth play, teams usually elect to kick the ball long down the field to gain territory. If they do not kick, after the sixth tackle the ball is ‘handed over’ to the other team.

When tackled, the ball carrier plays the ball backwards by foot along the ground to a teammate behind them.

When a player has been tackled, his opponent must release him to enable him to play the ball.

A scrum, consisting of six players per team is used to re-start the game after the ball has been ‘knocked-on’ or fumbled forward or when a forward pass has occurred. A scrum is also formed when a player is tackled into touch or when the ball is kicked into touch. Scrums are not contested like they are in Rugby Union.

Players can be ruled offside if they are in front of a teammate who is in possession and they are deemed to be interfering with play. Players are not allowed to touch the ball if they were further up the field than a teammate who has kicked the ball upfield i.e. only players who are behind the player kicking the ball are allowed to touch it.

Penalties can be awarded in other circumstances such as high tackles, hitting an opponent, tripping, kicking the ball when a player is attempting to pick it up, using foul or abusive language. Offenders can be given a yellow or red card, a yellow resulting in a 10 minute spell in the sin-bin to cool off.

There are of course a number of other laws and rules in Rugby League that we haven’t covered here in our attempt not to baffle you from the outset, but the more you watch or play the game, the more clear these other rules will become. Good luck getting to grips with Rugby League.

/ BASIC RULES & THE FIELD OF PLAY / AN INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY LEAGUE /

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HALF WAY LINE

100m

6-11

m

68 m

/ GLOSSARY / AN INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY LEAGUE /

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RUGBY LEAGUE VS RUGBY UNION

Union is more about territory than having the ball - as there is always a chance to turn it over in a ruck. Whereas in Rugby League, there is a limit of 6 tackles for the offensive side until they are forced to hand possession over.

Rugby Union is more of a kicking game, as there are more points on offer for a drop goal.

Why League?

Rugby League is a faster game, with the two flankers taken out to open up the attacking lanes. Tries are scored because of this, and the limit in tackles pressures the offensive team to penetrate the opposing defence quickly and efficiently.

With the emphasis on try scoring, Rugby League offers the more eventful game, as both teams are fighting to gain the advantage with the limited plays that they have. It offers the viewer a more end-to-end, action packed 80 minutes.

/ LEAGUE VS UNION / AN INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY LEAGUE /

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Jarrad Hickey of the London

Broncos

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Full-Back (1)A full-back is often the most complete player on the team. The full-back is usually the last line of defence and often the first player making the break in attack. They need the safest hands in the team.

They are responsible for catching the opposition’s high and testing kicks in attack. A full-back can suddenly turn defence into attack, make important last-ditch tackles and make the extra man in attack.

Wing (2 & 5)Speed is what the winger is all about - and you need plenty of it. But to be a truly dependable winger, you need to pick up those difficult passes in tight spaces.So as well as the speed of a sprinter, you need hands like glue - the ball needs to stick to you every time you get it.

But don’t think you’re only responsibility is in attack. Often the winger can be the last line of defence, so you need to be able to make those important tackles when they count.

Centre (3 & 4)The centre is always in the thick of things, whether in attack or defence. They should be comfortable creating space for wingers as well as making that last-ditch tackle. Centres can expect to do plenty of running up and down the pitch.

Stand-Off (6)The stand-off is the brains of the team - the player who makes the important decisions in attacks. A brilliant stand-off has the kicking skills of an international footballer. Whether it be a place kick, a drop kick or

just a plain old punt, the stand-off needs to make every kick count.

They also need to be as good a passer as their half-back partner, the scrum-half. They also have to make the big tackles under pressure when it counts.

Scrum-Half (7)The scrum-half is the link between the forwards and the backs. They can expect to make plenty of passes to team-mates.

Scrum-halfs need to have the safest pair of hands on the team - as well as a brilliant rugby league brain. They are the player who makes the important passes, and need to make the right pass at the right time. The scrum-half is the player who feeds the ball into the scrum.

Prop Forward (8 & 10)Front row forwards must enjoy bashing their way through tackles and making big tackles when they count.

They are also the first line in the scrum, so can expect plenty of tussles and battles with their opposite number. As always, they need excellent ball handling skills and a good rugby league brain.

Hooker (9)The hooker probably makes more contact with the ball than any other player on the field. They often are the players who act as the dummy half after a play the ball, swinging the passes out or breaking down the opposition’s defence.

As the centre of the scrum, the hooker is the player whose job it is to win the ball from the scrum-half’s feed. Then, on top of that, they are expected to make plenty of tackles when they matter.

Second Row (11 & 12)Like the prop forwards, the second rows get stuck in at the deep end. Making tackles and breaking down the opposition’s defence are two things every second rower loves doing.

On top of that, they are also an important part of the scrum, providing the power behind the front row. As always, a good pair of hands and a good engine are required to be a quality second row.

Loose Forward (13)The loose forward will always be found in the thick of the action. It is a job that requires plenty of running, so they need to be super fit.

Not only that, loose forwards have to have excellent handling skills and a defence as tough as iron. They will generally top the tackle count at the end of the game. And as the last man in the scrum, it is the responsibility of the loose forward to make sure the ball is available for the scrum-half.

Interchange (14, 15, 16, 17)If a player is injured or just not playing well enough, they can be replaced by a substitute, called an interchange.

Each team has four interchange replacements to choose from and can they come on at anytime during the game. Most interchanges are tactical, but they can also come on for any player who has been sent to the blood bin with an injury. But the interchange cannot replace any player who has been sent to the sin-bin.

POSITIONS

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/ POSITIONS / AN INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY LEAGUE /

A GUIDE TO THE PREMIER DIVISION

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Kevin Sinfield after winning

Leeds Rhinos’ 6th Super League

Title

SUPER LEAGUE TEAMS

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Club Bradford BullsStadium Odsal Stadium2012 finish 9thWeb site www.bradfordbulls.co.ukContacts 08448 711 490Address Odsal Stadium, Odsal, Bradford, BD6 1BS

Club Castleford TigersStadium The PROBIZ Coliseum2012 finish 13thWeb site www.castigers.comContacts 01977 552 674Address The PROBIZ Coliseum, Wheldon Road, Castleford, WF10 2SD

Club Catalan DragonsStadium Stade Gilbert Brutus2012 finish 4thWeb site www.catalansdragons.comContacts +33 4 68 35 32 59Address Stade Gilbert Brutus, 10 avenue du Languedoc, 66 000 Perpignan, France

Club Huddersfield GiantsStadium The John Smith’s Stadium2012 finish 7thWeb site www.giantsrl.comContacts 01484 484123Address The John Smith’s Stadium, Stadium Way, Leeds Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG

Club Hull FCStadium The KC Stadium2012 finish 6thWeb site www.hullfc.comContacts 01482 327 200Address The KC Stadium, West Park, Hull, HU3 6HU

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/ SUPER LEAGUE / AN INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY LEAGUE /

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Club Leeds RhinosStadium Headingley Carnegie2012 finish 5th (Champions)Web site www.leedsrugby.comContacts 0844 2486651Address Headingley Carnegie Stadium, St Michael’s Lane, Leeds, LS6 3BR

Club London BroncosStadium The Twickenham Stoop2012 finish 12thWeb site www.londonbroncosrl.comContacts 0208 410 6000Address Twickenham Stoop Stadium, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 7SX

Club Salford City RedsStadium Salford City Stadium2012 finish 11thWeb site www.reds.co.ukContacts 0161 736 6564Address Salford City Stadium, 1 Stadium Way, Eccles, M30 7EY

Club St. HelensStadium Langtree Park2012 finish 3rdWeb site www.saintsrlfc.comContacts 01744 455 050Address Langtree Park, McManus Drive, St Helens, WA9 3AL

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Club Hull Kingston RoversStadium MS3 Craven Park Stadium2012 finish 10thWeb site www.hullkr.co.ukContacts 0844 2490 105Address Craven Park Stadium, Preston Road, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU9 5HE

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A highly contested affair between Huddersfield Giants & Hull FC

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Club Wakefield Wildcats Stadium Rapid Solicitors Stadium 2012 finish 8th Web site www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk Contacts 01924 211 611 Address Rapid Solicitors Stadium, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 5EY

Club Warrington WolvesStadium The Halliwell Jones Stadium2012 finish 2ndWeb site www.warringtonwolves.comContacts 01925 248 880Address The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Mike Gregory Way, Warrington WA2 7NE

Club Widnes VikingsStadium Stobart Stadium Halton2012 finish 14thWeb site www.widnesvikings.co.ukContacts 0151 495 2250Address Lowerhouse Lane, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 7DZ

Club Wigan WarriorsStadium The DW Stadium2012 finish 1stWeb site www.wiganwarriors.comContacts 01942 762 888Address DW Stadium, Robin Park, Wigan, WN5 0UH

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/ SUPER LEAGUE / AN INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY LEAGUE /

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East Yorkshire 5. Hull FC 6. Hull KR

Greater London 8. London Broncos

Overseas 3. Catalan Dragons

West Yorkshire 1. Bradford Bulls 2. Castleford Tigers 4. Huddersfield Giants 7. Leeds Rhinos 11. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Merseyside & Greater Manc. 9. Salford City Reds 10. St. Helens 12. Warrington Wolves 13. Widnes Vikings 14. Wigan Warriors

TEAM DISTRIBUTION

Although there are 14 teams in the Super League, the teams are only distributed in 5 different counties in the UK - with the exception of the French team Catalan Dragons.

Rugby League has always been a Northern-based sport, demonstrated here, and it gives the sport enthusiast a variety of venues to choose from, regarding they’re located in the ‘Rugby League hotspots’.

/ SUPER LEAGUE / AN INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY LEAGUE /

GLOSSARY

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Accidental Strike When a ball strikes a player who makes no attempt to play at the ball.

Acting Half Back The person behind the play the ball situation (also referred to as dummy half).

Advantage Allowing the advantage means allowing play to proceed if it is to the advantage of the team which has not committed an offence or infringement.

Attacking Team The team, which at the time has a territorial advantage. If a scrum is to be formed on the halfway line the team which last touched the ball before it went out of play is the attacking team.

BBack As applied to a player means one who is not taking part in the scrum.

Ball Back To form a scrum where the ball was kicked from after it has entered the touch on the full.

Behind When applied to a player means, unless otherwise stated, that both feet are behind the position in question. Similarly ‘in front of’ means nearer to one’s opponent’s goal line

Behind Ball A ball which is passed behind one optional runner to another.

Blindside Means the side of the scrum or of the play the ball nearer to touch.

Bomb Refers to a high kick.

Breach Any accidental or deliberate

non-compliance with the rules.

Charging Down Blocking the path of the ball with hands, arm or body as it rises from an opponent’s kick.

Chip Kick A short weighted kick usually over the top of the defensive line.

Converting a Try The act of kicking a goal following the scoring of a try.

Corner Post A post surmounted by a flag placed at the intersection of each touch line and goal line. The post shall be of non rigid material and shall not be less than 1.25m high. The corner posts are touch in goal.

Counter Attack The opportunity to launch an attack after a period of defending.

DDead Ball The ball is out of play.

Defending Team Is the team opposing the attacking team.

Differential Penalty Differs in one respect from a Penalty Kick in that a goal cannot be scored from it.

Double Marker The two players allowed to oppose the ‘play the balls’ situation.

Drag and Drop ‘Drag’ is to run and pull a defender out of position, ‘drop’ is the pass made to a player running a ‘hook line’.

Drift A running line ‘drifting’ across your opponent.

Drop Goal Sometimes referred to as a Field Goal,

C A

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is a goal scored by propelling the ball over the crossbar by drop kicking it.

Drop Out A drop kick from between the posts or from the centre of the 20 metre line when bringing the ball back into play.

Dummy The pretence of passing or otherwise releasing the ball while still retaining possession of it.

Dummy Half The person behind the play the ball situation (also referred to as acting half back).

FFace Ball A ball that is passed across the front of one optional runner to another.

Field of Play The area bounded by, but not including, the touch lines and goal lines

Forward In a direction towards the opponents dead ball line. As applied to a player it means one who is at the time packing down in the scrum.

Forward Pass A throw towards the opponent’s dead ball line.

Foul Play Refers to the various types of misconduct resulting in infringements of the Laws of the Game.

Free Kick The kick awarded to the team, which kicks into touch from a penalty kick. The kick is taken 10 metres in from touch opposite the point of entry into touch. The ball may be kicked in any manner in any direction but a goal cannot be scored from it, nor can ground be gained by

kicking into touch on the full.

Full Time The end of the game. Also referred to as No-side.

General Play Refers to all aspects of play after a match has been started or restarted by a Place Kick, Drop Out, Penalty Kick, Free Kick or Scrum.

Goal The act of converting either a try or penalty kick.

Grounding the Ball a) Placing the ball on the ground with hand or hands, or b) Exerting downward pressure on the ball with hand or arm, the ball itself being on the ground, or c) Dropping on the ball and covering it with part of the body above the waist and below the neck, the ball itself being on the ground.

Grubber Kick A kick into the ground that rolls point over point along the floor.

HHalf Time The end of the first half of the game.

Hand Over The surrendering of the ball to the opposition after a team has been tackled the statutory number of successive times.

Heel When a player propels the ball behind him/her with the sole or heel of his/her foot.

Hook The act of the hooker when he strikes with a foot for the ball in the scrum.

Hook Line A running line to receive the ball inside the ball carrier that is running across the face of the defence.

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In-Goal The area bounded by the goal line, touch-in-goal lines and dead ball line.

In Possession To be holding or carrying the ball.

Inside Ball Refers to a pass being turned back inside, opposite to the direction in which the ball was traveling.

KKick Imparting motion to the ball with any part

of the leg (except the heel) from the knee to toe inclusive.

Kick-Off The method of starting each half of the game.

Knock On To knock the ball towards the opponent’s dead ball line with hand or arm.

LLoose Arm An offence by the hooker if he/she does

not pack into the scrum with both arms around the neck of the prop and front row forward.

Loose Ball When during play the ball is not held by a player and not being scrimmaged.

MMark The point at which a penalty kicks or free

kick is awarded or a scrum formed.

Mutual Infringement The reason for the stoppage in play is not the fault of either team.

Obstruction The illegal act of impeding an opponent who does not have the ball.

Offloading Passing the ball out of the tackle.

Off Side Applied to a player that is temporarily out of play and may be penalised if he/she joins in the game.

On Side Means that a player is not off-side.

Open Side The side of the scrum or the play the ball further from touch.

On the Full The ball is kicked over a given line or is caught by a player without first coming into contact with the ground or another player.

Out of Play Refers to a player out of play at the restart of play.

Overload Getting more players around the ball than the opposition.

PPack Refers collectively to the forwards of any

one team. To pack down means to form a scrum.

Pass A throw of the ball from one player to another.

Penalise To award a penalty kick against an offending player.

Penalty Kick Awarded upon infringement to the non offending team.

/ GLOSSARY / AN INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY LEAGUE /

I O

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Place Kick To kick the ball after it as been placed on the ground for that purpose.

Playing Area The area enclosed by the fence, or other such line demarcation, which prevents encroachment of spectators.

Playing Field The area bounded by, but not including the touchlines and dead ball lines.

Play the Ball The act of bringing the ball into play after a tackle.

Pop Pass A short weighted pass.

Prop The front row forward nearest to the scrum half putting the ball into the scrum.

Punt A kick whereby the ball is dropped from the hand or hands and is kicked before it touches the ground.

Put-In Also known as ‘feeding the scrum’ is the rolling of the ball into the scrum.

RRuck Refers to all players involved in and around

the tackle and subsequent play the ball.

SScrum Where a team loses the advantage of the

‘Loose Head’ and ‘Put-In’ the scrum is said to be awarded against the team.

Static Passing Passing whilst in a stationary position.

Strike As applied to the foot means to attempt to secure possession of the ball, usually by

heeling it, in a scrum.

Switch Changing the direction of a pass or the direction of play.

Tackle The act of bringing the ball carrier (opposing player) to ground.

Touch Down In the grounding of the ball by a defending player in his/her own in goal.

Touching the Ball In all aspects of play ‘touching the ball’ refers to deliberately playing at the ball.

Try In the grounding of the ball by a attacking player in their opponents in goal area.

Twenty Metre Restart A kick taken at the centre of the 20 metre line to restart play, the ball may be kicked in any manner and in any direction.

UUpright Tackle Where a player in possession is effectively

tackled without being brought to the ground.

Unload the Tackle Getting off an opponent after making a tackle.

VVoluntary Tackle Where a player in possession voluntarily

stops play when not effectively tackled.

ZZero Tackle The tackle is not counted in that set of

six tackles.

/ GLOSSARY / AN INTRODUCTION TO RUGBY LEAGUE /

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