Aim

• The aim of the game is very simple: score more points than the other team.
• You do this by scoring trys, conversions, drop goals and penalties in your opponent's goal area.

Duration

• A game of rugby union consists of two halves of 40 minutes, with injury time added on at the end of each half.
• In between the two halves, there is a maximum 10-minute interval after which both team change ends.

Dress

• Rugby players must wear a Jersey, shorts, socks and boots on the field of play.
• But as the game becomes more physical, more players are using upper body and head protection on the pitch.

Players

• So you think all rugby players are seven foot tall with shoulders the size of Belgium then? How wrong you are.
• The beauty of rugby union is that is a game for people of all shapes and all sizes.

A 15-man team

BBC Sport Academy

1. Loosehead Prop 2. Hooker 3. Tighthead Prop 4. Second Row 5. Second Row 6. Blindside Flanker 7. Openside Flanker 8. Number 8 9. Scrum-half 10. fly-half 11. Winger 12. Inside Centre 13. Outside Centre 14. Winger 15. Full-back

Scoring

• Try (5 points) is scored when a player puts the ball on the ground with "downward pressure" (very important) inside the opposition's in-goal area between the try line and deadball line.
• Conversion (2 points) is a kick of getting two bonus points after your team after have a try. It is successful if the ball goes between the opposition's goalposts and above the crossbar.
• Penalty (3 points) is like a conversion but tge referee will award the penalty from the spot where the offence occured.
• Drop Goal (3 points) is scored when a player kicks the ball from hand through the opposition's goal posts, above the crossbar, but the ball must touch the ground between being dropped and kicked.

Scrum

• A scrum is a way of re-starting play after: 1) The ball has been knocked on 2) The ball has gone forward 3) Accidental offside 4) The ball has not come out from a ruck or maul.
• The scrum is formed at the place where the infringement happened.

Foreward Pass

• Rugby is one of the few ball games where the ball cannot be passed forwards at anytime.

Tackle

• Defenders tackle opponents by grasping their body (usually legs) and causing them to stop running or even fall down.

What is sevens rugby?

• It's a shortened version of the 15-man game.
• It's a very fast collision sport played at high speed by athletes who are very, very fast and skilful and incredibly fit.

What are the main rules?

• You have to keep the ball alive as long as possible, but you can only pass it backwards.
• Each half is seven minutes each way.
• And you have to score as many tries - and points - as possible, then you'll win the match.

Fijian Waisale Serevi

Briefly describe the basic scoring system in sevens.

• It's exactly the same as 15-a-side rugby.
• You get five points for a try, which is when you put the ball over the opposition's goal line.
• You get three points for a penalty or two for a conversion, which is a kick at goal after a player has scored a try.

Scoring

• To score a try (1 point) by placing the ball, with downward pressure, on or behind the opponent's goal line.

Number of Players

• Most Tag Rugby festivals are played with 7 a-side teams. When playing mixed games teams usually include 3 or 4 females.

Duration of Play

• For 7 a-side games two halves of seven minutes each way are played with 1 minute for half time. At festivals for young players it is suggested 10 minutes games with no half time avoids confusion and saves time.