Rugby

Wheelchair rugby is a team sport played by athletes with physical disabilities affecting their legs. The objective is to score points by carrying the ball across the opponent’s goal line, using a wheelchair. Each team has four players on the court, who can pass the ball, dribble, or charge towards the goal. Players use wheelchairs to block opponents and try to steal the ball. The game is played in four quarters, and points are earned when a player crosses the opponent's goal line with the ball. The sport combines elements of rugby and basketball, emphasizing teamwork, speed, and strategy.

In rugby, a mark is a rule that allows a player to claim possession of the ball after it has been kicked by an opponent and caught cleanly, without the ball touching the ground or any other player. The player must catch the ball within their own half of the field. Once the mark is made, the player is awarded the opportunity to take a free kick without interference from opponents. This rule is used to reward players for good catches and to allow them time to organize the next play.

A conversion in rugby is a kick taken after a team has scored a try. The kick is attempted from a spot in line with where the try was scored, with the goal of sending the ball through the opponent's goalposts. If successful, the conversion adds extra points to the team's score. The conversion kick is an important part of scoring, as it can significantly increase the total points earned from a try.

A throw forward in rugby is an illegal action where a player throws the ball in the direction of their team's goal line. The ball must be passed sideways or backward to a teammate, but a forward throw, or "forward pass," results in a free kick or scrum awarded to the opposing team. This rule ensures that the game remains fair and that teams do not gain an unfair advantage by advancing the ball illegally. A forward throw is one of the basic mistakes that can stop the flow of the game.

A grubber kick in rugby is a type of low, bouncing kick where the ball is kicked along the ground. This kick is typically used to gain ground quickly or to put pressure on the opposing team. It is often used in tight situations or when trying to catch the defense off guard. The ball’s unpredictable bounce makes it difficult for opponents to track and intercept, giving the kicking team an advantage. A grubber kick can be used to break through defensive lines or to set up scoring opportunities.

A knock-on in rugby occurs when a player accidentally loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, either by the ball hitting the player's hands or arms and then touching the ground or another player. This is considered a mistake and results in a stoppage of play. The opposing team is then awarded a scrum at the location where the knock-on happened. A knock-on prevents a team from gaining an advantage, as it interrupts the flow of the game and gives the other team a chance to win possession.

Open play in rugby refers to the part of the game where the ball is in active play and not stopped by a set piece, such as a scrum, lineout, or free kick. It involves players moving the ball through passing, running, and kicking, while the opposing team tries to defend and prevent any scoring opportunities. Open play is the most dynamic phase of the game, with both teams working to advance the ball, create space, and maintain possession. It is where most of the action and strategies unfold during a match.

A no side refers to the end of a match when the game concludes and no winner is declared, often due to a draw or a situation where the match ends without further play. This term is used to indicate the official finish of the game, regardless of whether one team has won or if the match has ended with no winner being decided.

The try line in rugby is the line located at each end of the field, just before the goalposts. To score a try, a player must carry or ground the ball over this line in the opponent’s area. The try line marks the boundary that a team must cross to score points in a match. If the ball is touched down behind the try line, the team earns a try, which is worth five points in most forms of rugby. The line is crucial as it indicates the scoring zone for both teams.

The dead-ball line in rugby is the boundary line at each end of the field. When the ball crosses this line, it is considered out of play. If a player carries or kicks the ball over the dead-ball line, it stops the play, and the game restarts with a specific procedure, such as a goal kick or a scrum, depending on how the ball went out of bounds. This line helps define the end of the playing area and ensures the game remains within a defined space.

A throw-in is a method of restarting play in sports like soccer when the ball goes out of bounds along the sidelines. A player from the opposing team of the one that last touched the ball throws it back into play using both hands while keeping both feet on the ground behind the sideline. The throw must be made from behind or over the head, and it is often used to quickly pass the ball to a teammate and continue the game.

A lineout in rugby is a method used to restart play when the ball has gone out of bounds along the sidelines. The two teams form parallel lines, and the ball is thrown in from the touchline by a player from the team that did not cause the ball to go out. Players in the lineout can jump to try to catch the ball or tap it to a teammate. The lineout helps bring the game back into play and offers an opportunity for both teams to compete for possession.

A drop goal in rugby is a way of scoring points by kicking the ball through the opponent’s goalposts. To perform a drop goal, a player must drop the ball onto the ground and kick it as it bounces back up, aiming to send it between the goalposts. A drop goal is worth three points and is typically attempted during open play when a team is in a good position but cannot score a try. It provides an alternative way to score and can be used strategically during a match.

A touchdown in rugby is a way of scoring points by carrying or grounding the ball over the opponent's try line. The player must either run the ball into the in-goal area or catch it in the air and touch it down behind the try line. A touchdown is worth five points and is one of the main methods of scoring in rugby. After a touchdown, the team that scored has the opportunity to attempt a conversion kick for extra points.

A tap penalty in rugby is a way of restarting play after a team has been awarded a penalty for a rule violation by the opposing team. Instead of kicking the ball, the player taps the ball on the ground with their foot and then quickly passes or runs with it. The tap penalty is usually taken from the spot where the foul occurred and allows the team to resume play quickly, often in an attempt to catch the opposing team off guard. It is a common method used to gain ground or set up an attacking move.

A maul in rugby happens when a player with the ball is held by one or more opponents, but the ball is still in the air. Other players from both teams then join in to form a group around the ball. The goal for the team with the ball is to try to move forward while keeping the ball in their hands. Players must stay on their feet, and the ball can only be passed backward to teammates. If the group stops moving or the ball is no longer in play, the referee might stop the play and call for a scrum.

A ruck in rugby happens when the ball is on the ground, and players from both teams try to win possession by pushing over it with their feet. Players must stay on their feet and not use their hands to pick up the ball. The goal is for one team to drive the other team away from the ball while trying to get it into their own side, where they can play it. If players do not follow the rules or the ball is not available, the referee may stop play and call for a scrum.

A scrum in rugby is a way to restart the game after a rule is broken, such as a minor knock-on. It involves players from both teams forming three rows and binding together. The team that did not break the rule gets the ball, which is thrown into the middle of the scrum. The players then push against each other, trying to hook the ball with their feet and win possession for their team. The scrum is a way to get the game moving again while allowing both teams a fair chance to compete for the ball.

A quick-throw in rugby happens when the ball is thrown back into play from the sideline. Instead of waiting for a lineout, the player quickly throws the ball to a teammate to catch, without giving the opposing team a chance to set up. This method helps keep the game fast-paced by catching the other team off guard. The throw must be done over the head with both hands, and the player must remain behind the line where the ball went out of bounds.

An interception in rugby occurs when a player catches the ball that was intended for an opponent. This often happens when the opposing team is passing the ball, and the player steps in the way, catching it before the ball reaches its target. By doing this, the player gains possession of the ball for their team and can try to advance it down the field. Interceptions can lead to scoring opportunities or changes in the momentum of the game.

A goal kick in rugby happens when the ball is kicked by the defending team from their goal area after the attacking team kicks the ball over the goal line, but does not score. The defending team takes the kick from the spot where the ball went over the line. The goal kick helps the defending team get the ball back into play and move it away from their goal area, giving them a chance to start a new attack.

A try in rugby is a way of scoring points by grounding the ball over the opponent's try line. To score a try, a player must carry the ball into the opposition's in-goal area and touch it to the ground. A try is worth five points, and it is one of the main ways to score in rugby. After a try is scored, the team can attempt a conversion kick for additional points. Scoring a try is a key part of the game and can greatly influence the outcome of a match.