Rugby Glossary
Glossary explained in plain English for parents learning Rugby.
| Term | Plain-English Meaning | Example | Also Known As |
|---|---|---|---|
| Try | The main score in rugby, usually awarded when the ball is legally grounded in the opponent's in-goal area. | The referee raises an arm and awards the try. | Score |
| Conversion | An attempt for extra points after a try, often kicked but sometimes modified or skipped in youth formats. | The team lines up for a conversion after scoring. | Kick after try |
| In-goal | The scoring area beyond the try line where the ball must usually be grounded for a try. | The ball carrier reaches the in-goal area and places the ball down. | Try zone |
| Try line | The line at the front of the in-goal area. | The winger crosses the try line but still needs to ground the ball. | Goal line |
| Backward pass | A legal pass that travels backward or sideways from the passer's hands. | The scrum-half passes backward to the fly-half. | Lateral pass |
| Forward pass | An illegal pass that travels toward the opponent's goal line from the passer's hands. | The referee whistles because the pass floated forward. | Forward throw |
| Knock-on | A handling error where the ball goes forward from a player's hands or arms. | The ball bounces forward off a catch attempt. | Handling error |
| Tag rugby | A non-contact or limited-contact youth format where defenders remove a tag or flag from the ball carrier. | After the tag is pulled, the player follows the local pass or reset rule. | Flag rugby |
| Touch rugby | A format where a touch stops or resets the ball carrier according to local rules. | The defender touches the ball carrier with two hands and the attack resets. | Touch |
| Tackle | In tackle formats, a legal stop that brings the ball carrier to ground under age-specific contact rules. | The referee manages release after the tackle. | Contact stop |
| Release | The requirement for certain players to let go of the ball or opponent after a tackle under the rules. | The referee calls not releasing after a tackle. | Let go |
| Ruck | A contest for the ball on the ground after a tackle, with players on their feet over the ball. | The team forms a ruck and protects possession. | Breakdown |
| Maul | A contest where the ball carrier is held up and players bind around the ball while it remains off the ground. | The maul moves toward the try line before the referee stops it. | Held-up contest |
| Scrum | A structured restart often used after a knock-on or forward pass, sometimes simplified or uncontested in youth rugby. | The referee sets a scrum after a knock-on. | Set piece |
| Lineout | A restart from touch, usually involving players lining up for a throw-in, with youth modifications common. | The ball goes out and play restarts with a lineout. | Throw-in |
| Touchline | The sideline of the rugby field. | The ball crosses the touchline and a lineout is awarded. | Sideline |
| Offside | A violation for taking part from an illegal position relative to the ball, restart, or offside line. | A defender moves ahead of the offside line at a ruck. | Offside line |
| Penalty | A referee award for an infringement, often giving the non-offending team restart options. | The captain chooses a tap after the penalty. | Penalty kick |
| Free kick | A restart for some technical infringements, usually with fewer options than a full penalty. | The referee awards a free kick after a scrum issue. | Short-arm penalty |
| Advantage | A referee decision to let play continue because the non-offending team may benefit after an infringement. | The referee calls advantage after a knock-on. | Play on |
| Restart | The way play begins again after a score, whistle, ball into touch, or infringement. | Players reset for a kickoff after the try. | Set restart |
| Scrum-half | A back who often connects forwards to backs and passes from scrums, rucks, and mauls. | The scrum-half passes from the ruck to the fly-half. | Halfback |
| Fly-half | A back who often organizes attack, receives from the scrum-half, and chooses pass, kick, or run options where kicking is used. | The fly-half moves the ball wide to the centers. | First five-eighth |
| Forwards | Players who often contest restarts, support contact areas, and do close support work, with youth roles simplified by format. | The forwards help secure possession after a tackle. | Pack |
| Backs | Players who often use space, passing, running lines, and wider support roles. | The backs spread out for a passing move. | Backline |
| Held up | A situation where the ball carrier is stopped upright or over the goal line without a clear legal grounding, depending on the context. | The referee signals held up and orders the local restart. | No grounding |