Rugby ATL Produces Two Part Mini-Series On Terminology in ‘Rugby 101’ Episodes 4 & 5

For episodes four and five of Rugby ATL’s ‘Rugby 101’ video series, to educate our passionate fanbase, pro player Neets Gericke is here to teach us about the specific terminology related to the game of rugby, as part of a two-part series that further explains the information we have been introduced to in previous episodes like the drop kick, kickoff restarts, the zones and lines on a field, and ways to restart play when the ball has moved into touch, or “out of bounds.”

In part two of the mini-series, after dutifully outlining the field map and restarting play through a dropkick, Neets teachers us about restarting play through the set-piece. A lineout takes place to restart play when the ball has gone into touch. A scrum is set when a mistake occurs on the field of play, like a knock-on, a forward pass, or when the attacking team chooses to scrum on a penalty or a free kick.

A scrum is when the eight forwards of each team bind together, arms interlocked, and push forward with their heads down against the opposition. Each backline sets themselves five meters behind the hindmost foot in the scrum, and must not advance until the ball leaves the scrum.

The lineout is set on a parallel line to where the ball went into touch, as the participants get set between the five-meter line and the fifteen-meter line. The attacking team uses a code to coordinate who is being lifted, where they will jump from, and when the hooker will throw in the ball. Each backline must be set ten meters behind their lineout, and can only advance when the lineout is over.

A maul occurs when a ball carrier is being held by at least one player from each team, as all participants bind on and push towards their opposing goal line. The ball can be transferred back for better security, but must not be dropped, and when the maul stops or goes to ground the ball must be removed from it.

The ruck occurs after a tackle has been made and the ballcarrier is on the ground, with at least one player from each team on their feet and engaged over the ball. The first thing that must happen is the tackler must roll away, and the ball carrier is allowed one movement to place the ball. The players engaged in the ruck may not use their hands to grab the ball, and must use their feet to drive over the ball or to move the ball back. After the ball emerges on one sides hindmost foot, it can be picked up by a player. At the ruck, an offsides line is set behind the hindmost foot of the last player engaged in the ruck.

After a tackle at the contest, attacking players attempt to clear out defenders who attempt to steal the ball for their side. If the defender infringes during play, the referee may award an advantage to the attacking team remembering the penalty in case no territory or tactical advantage is gained.

Other terminologies addressed in this video are obstruction, blindside and openside, kicking from hand, dummy passing and runners, penalties, cards, options on a penalty, penalty tries, and the refereeing groups roles.

If you have any further questions about the terminology discussed in our video, follow us on our YouTube page and watch our next few videos, as we dive even deeper into what we’ve discussed: the set-piece, tackling, and the breakdown.