(Point and click on picture for descriptions.)
Position Names and Links to Descriptions: Loose Head Prop 1, Hooker 2, Tight Head Prop 3, Loose Head Lock Forward 4, Tight Head Lock Forward 5, Wing Forward 6 and 7, Eight Man 8, Scrum Half 9, Flyhalf 10,Weakside Wing 11, Inside Center 12, Outside Center 13, Wing 14, Fullback 15
Links to Terms: Goalpost, 22 Meter Line, Half Line, Touch Line
Position #1
Supports the hooker in the scrum downs, and act as general workhorses on the field. The tight head prop is on the right side.
Position #2
The hooker is in the front and center of the scrum, and "hooks" the ball back through his team's side of the scrum with his foot. Around the field the hooker acts as a workhorse.
Position #3
Supports the hooker in the scrum downs, and act as general workhorses on the field. The tight head prop is on the right side.
Loose Head Lock Forward (Second Row)
Position #4
Serves as the main push in the scrum downs, and act as general workhorses on the field. Also known as the second row, the loose head is on the left side.
Tight Head Lock Forward (Second Row)
Position #5
Serves as the main push in the scrum downs, and act as general workhorses on the field. Also known as the second row, the tight head is on the right side.
Position #6 & #7
The wing forwards are generally the most mobile forwards and since they are positioned on the outside of the scrums are often the first players to the breakdowns.
Position #8
Positioned in the back of the scrum, the Eight Man acts as the rudder in the scrum by keeping the scrum from wheeling. As with all of the scrum the eight man is a work horse who fights for possession of the ball.
Scrumhalf (Halfback)
Position #9
The scrumhalf handles the ball more than any other player on the field. The scrumhalf moves the ball from the rucks and mauls to the wing.
Position #10
Generally the first player to handle the ball from the scrumhalf. The Flyhalf is often a sure-handed experienced player.
Position #12
The inside center is usually a powerful runner who will often "crash" his run into the defense.
Position #13
The outside center is also often a powerful runner who will either "crash" the ball, or look for a gap to shoot through.
Position #14
Often the quickest and most fleet footed player, the wing doesn't get the ball as often as some of the other players, but when he does it can be exciting.
Position #11
Protects and attacks on the weak side (shorter, or smaller side) of the field.
Position #15
The Fullback serves as a safety valve to cover the ball on deep kicks and breakaway runs. Generally the fullback represents the last line of defense and prevents many scores.
There are three ways to score using the goalpost. The first and most common is a place kick after a try is scored. A kick through the uprights is worth three points. Unlike football, the kick does not occur a specific distance from the goal line in the center of the field. In Rugby the kicker has the option of placing the ball as near or far from the try line as he prefers, however it must be placed perpendicular where the try was scored. Keep in mind that the score is considered where the ball is placed down, not where the ball was carried into the try zone. Thus, a runner can make the kick easier for the kicker if he can place the ball down directly behind the goalpost.
The second way to score via the goalpost is by a penalty kick. When a penalty is awarded, the team who is given possession of the ball has the option to kick the ball through the goalpost. This score is worth three points. The kick can either be a place kick or a drop kick, but a place kick is most common. The kick takes place from the point where the penalty is awarded, which is typically the point at which the infraction occurred.
The third way is by a drop kick through the uprights during open play. This is not a real common score, but it does occur occasionally. This difficult score is also worth three points.
See 22 Meter Line in the Rugby Glossary
Line where Kickoffs are kicked from to restart the game.
See Touch Line on Rugby Glossary
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