Rugby league

Rugby league is one of the two codes of rugby, the other being rugby union.

Playing rugby league

Rugby league is played by two teams on a rectangular field with a length generally double the width. The in-goal areas, located at each end of the field, are used to scoring a try. At the intersection between the field of play and each in-goal area are also a set of goal posts in the shape of the capital letter H, used for point scoring via a field goal, penalty goal or conversion.

Related Topics:
Try - Field goal - Conversion

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Rugby league consists of an attacking team who has possession of the ball and a defending team who must attempt to stop the attacking team from scoring. In order to score points the attacking team must move up field. To do this they use a combination of kicking and running head-on into the defensive line to either force back the defence or break the defensive line. The defence must devise tactics that limit the effectiveness of the attacking teams ball running and kicking.

Related Topics:
Ball running - Kicking

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An attacking team has six 'chances' to score a try or a field goal; known as the six tackle rule. The defensive team reduces the chances an attacking team has to score by tackling the player with the ball; a tackle forces a stoppage of play. Following a tackle, the defending team, with the exception of two markers, must move back 10 metres towards their in-goal area. The attacking team restarts play and continue with their next chance to score via the play the ball.

Related Topics:
Six tackle rule - Tackle - Markers - Play the ball

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After each tackle the attacking team is usually closer to the oppositions in-goal area and hence goal posts. If the attacking team is tackled a sixth time, a change over takes place, where the defending team becomes attacking and visa versa.

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Attacking Tactics

• The largest players generally move the ball up field through what is known as a hit up in order push back the defence; in other words gain field position.
• Skilful forwards will attempt pass the ball after drawing in the defence which breaks down the effectiveness of the defensive line; known as an off-load.
• The attacking team may use combinations of plays utilising speed, passing and kicking designed to confuse the defence, breaking down the effectiveness of the defensive line.
• Kicking is most commonly attempted as a last ditched attempt to score, when a team has used all of its 'chances'. Kicks are used to break the defensive line or to gain field position.

Defensive Tactics

• A defending team must effectively defend against ball runners. The sliding defence and the umbrella defence are effective in stopping line breaks.
• Players in the defence usually drop out of the defensive line to cover the back half of the field in order to defend against line breaks and kicks.
• A defensive team may force the attacking team in to touch or force errors which gives possession to the defending team.
• Late during the tackle count an attacking team uses an array of tactics to put themselves in the better defensive position on the opposite side of the 'change over'.