The Ultimate Rugby Glossary: A-Z of Rugby Terms

 

Introduction

Welcome to the ultimate glossary of rugby terms, a comprehensive guide to help you understand the rich and dynamic language of rugby. Whether you’re a seasoned player, an enthusiastic fan, or new to the game, this glossary will provide you with the essential terminology used in rugby. From basic rules to advanced tactics, we’ve got you covered. Join us on JamboBet as we delve into the world of rugby, enhancing your knowledge and appreciation of the sport. 

 A 

22 Meter Drop Out  

A method to restart the game using a dropkick when the defending team has touched the ball down behind their try-line or when the ball has gone out over the dead-ball line.

 

Acting Half-Back  

Also known as the dummy half, this player stands behind the play-the-ball, ready to pass, run, or kick the ball. Typically, this role is filled by the hooker.

 

Advantage  

The period after an infringement where the non-offending team has a chance to gain territory or a strategic opportunity. The referee signals advantage by extending an arm. If no advantage is gained, the referee stops play and awards the appropriate penalty.

 

Advantage Line  

An imaginary line drawn across the pitch during a break in play, such as a ruck, maul, or scrum. Crossing the gain line indicates a territorial gain.

 

All Blacks  

The national rugby union team of New Zealand, known for their dominant performance in international rugby.

 

Ankle Tap  

A last-ditch tackle involving a dive and a slap to the ankle of the attacker, causing them to stumble. Also called a Tap Tackle.

 

Attack Team  

The team in possession of the ball, actively trying to score.

 

Back  

A player positioned behind the forwards, primarily focused on defense and counter-attacks.

 

Ball Back  

In both types of rugby, if the ball goes into touch, play is restarted, usually by a line-out in rugby union, from the point where the ball left the field.

 

Barbarian  

An invitational rugby union team based in Britain, known as the Barbarian Football Club or the Baa-Baas.

 

Behind  

Indicates that both feet of the players are behind the position in question.

 

Behind Ball  

A ball passed behind one optional runner to another.

 

Bind  

In both types of rugby, forwards bind together in three rows to form a scrum. The scrum then ‘engages’ with the opposing team, connecting the players’ heads with those of the other side’s front row. The referee coordinates the start with calls like ‘crouch, bind, set’.

 

Bledisloe Cup  

A rugby union contest between the national teams of Australia and New Zealand, held since the 1930s. New Zealand has won the trophy 47 times, while Australia has won 12 times.

 

Blind Side  

Also known as the Weakside, it refers to the short side of the field from a set piece, ruck, or maul.

 

Blitz Defense  

A defensive tactic where the entire defensive line moves forward as one towards their marked man once the ball leaves the base of a ruck or maul, often led by the inside center.

 

Blood Bin  

Also known as a blood replacement, a player with a visible bleeding injury can be replaced for up to fifteen minutes to receive first-aid treatment. The player can return to the pitch once the bleeding is controlled.

 

Bomb  

A high kick intended to send the ball straight up, allowing players to get under it before it comes down. It disrupts the defensive line and can shift the momentum to the attacking team.

 

Bonus Points  

A method of awarding table points to encourage attacking play and discourage repetitive goal-kicking. Teams can earn additional points for scoring a certain number of tries or for losing by a narrow margin.

 

Box Kick  

A high, over-the-shoulder kick executed by scrum-halves in intense attacking or defensive situations.

 

Breach  

Any unintentional or intentional non-compliance with the rules of the game.

 

Breakdown  

The brief period of open play after a tackle and before and during the ensuing ruck. Teams compete for control of the ball during this time.

 

 C

 

Calcutta Cup  

The annual match between England and Scotland during the Six Nations Championship.

 

Cap  

When a player participates in a match, they receive a cap, often used to denote the number of official games played for their national team.

 

Caution  

A player who frequently or intentionally infringes the laws is cautioned and shown a yellow card, resulting in a ten-minute suspension from the field.

 

Center  

Players wearing shirt numbers 12 and 13, divided into inside and outside center positions.

 

Charge Down  

When a player blocks an opponent’s kick.

 

Chip Kick  

A short, shallow kick over the head of an onrushing defender, intended to be quickly retrieved or caught by the kicker or a supporting player.

 

Clearance Kick  

A kick into touch to relieve pressure on a team under serious attack.

 

Converter  

After scoring a try, the scoring team’s kicker attempts a conversion kick at goal. A successful kick adds two points to the team’s score.

 

Converting a Try  

The act of attempting a conversion kick after scoring a try.

 

Corner Post  

A post with a flag located at the intersection of each touchline and goal line. It must be made of non-rigid material and at least 1.25m high.

 

Counter Attack Transition  

The opportunity to launch an attack after a defensive play.

 

Counter Rucking  

When the defending team forces the attacking team off the ball at a ruck to gain possession.

 

Crash Tackle/Crash Ball  

An attacking technique where a player receives a quick pass and runs straight at the defensive line, committing multiple defenders to the tackle and creating space for teammates.

 

D

 

Defending Team  

The team whose half of the field is being attacked.

 

Differential Penalty  

A penalty that cannot be kicked for goal, awarded for technical rule violations during a scrum.

 

Double Marker  

The two players allowed to contest the play-the-ball positions.

 

Drag and Drop  

‘Drag’ refers to running and pulling a defender out of position, while ‘drop’ refers to passing the ball to a player running a ‘hook line’.

 

Drift  

A running line that ‘drifts’ across an opponent.

 

Drop Goal  

A goal scored by dropkicking the ball through the opponent’s goalposts. It scores three points.

 

Drop Kick  

A type of kick where the ball is dropped and kicked after it touches the ground.

 

Dropout  

The way play is restarted using a dropkick after the defending team touches the ball down behind their try-line or when the ball goes out over the dead-ball line.

 

Dummy  

A feigned pass intended to mislead an opponent ready to make a tackle.

 

Dummy Half  

The player behind the play-the-ball situation, also called acting half-back.

 

Dummy Pass  

An offensive trick where the ball carrier pretends to pass the ball to a teammate but continues running with it.

 

Dummy Runner  

An attacker runs towards the opponent as if receiving a pass, only for the ball to be passed to another player or kept by the ball carrier.

 

Dump Tackle  

A tackle where the tackler lifts the ball carrier and drives them to the ground.

 

E

 

Eagles  

The national rugby union team of the United States of America.

 

Ellis  

The person credited with inspiring the new game of rugby football in 1823.

 

F

 

Face Ball  

A pass that goes across the face of one optional runner to another. Also called a cutout ball or face pass.

 

Feed  

The action of throwing the ball into the scrum via the scrum-half.

 

Field of Play  

The area between the goal lines and touchlines.

 

Five Meter Scrum  

A scrum given on the five-meter line after a scrum offense near the try line or when a player takes the ball over their try line and touches it down.

 

Flanker  

Players wearing shirt numbers 6 and 7, known for their all-round qualities such as speed, power, fitness, tackling, and handling skills.

 

Fly Half  

The player wearing shirt number 10, responsible for key strategic decisions during the game.

 

Foot Up  

An offense where a hooker puts their foot forward before the ball is moved by the scrum-half.

 

Forward  

Players who form and contest scrums, usually powerful and bulkier team members.

 

Forward Pass  

An illegal movement of the ball forward. A penalty scrum results in favor of the opponent.

 

Foul Play  

Deliberate violation of the laws of the game.

 

Fourth Official  

Responsible for controlling replacements and substitutes, and can substitute the referee or touch judge if needed.

 

Free Kick  

A kick awarded for a technical offense, such as a lineout or scrum violation. It cannot be used to kick for goal.

 

Front Five  

A common term for the front (props and hooker) and second row (locks) forwards. Also called the Tight Five.

 

Front Row  

The combination of props and hooker at the front of a scrum.

 

Full Time  

The end of the game, also called No-side.

 

Fullback  

The player wearing jersey No.15, positioned deep behind the backline, responsible for covering strategic kicks and joining attacks unexpectedly.

 

 G

 

Garryowen  

A high kick intended to stay in the field of play, allowing the kicking team to compete for possession.

 

General Player  

Players with good speed, strength, determination, self-discipline, and knowledge of the laws.

 

Goal  

The area toward which rugby players aim to score points by grounding the ball or kicking it through the goalposts.

 

Goal From Mark  

An earlier scoring move where a player makes a fair catch and shouts “mark,” entitling them to a free kick.

 

Goal Line  

The line a team tries to advance the ball towards to score points.

 

Grand Slam  

Achieved when one

 

 team in the Six Nations Championship wins all its matches in a single year’s competition.

 

Grounding the Ball  

Holding and touching the ball to the ground in-goal to score a try.

 

Group of Death  

A term describing a group with the strongest competitors, all potential winners of the tournament.

 

Grubber Kick  

A kick that makes the ball roll and tumble across the ground, creating difficulty for the defending team to pick it up without causing a knock-on.

 

H

 

Haka  

A cultural ritual performed by many Southern Pacific teams as a challenge before a match.

 

Half Time  

A fifteen-minute interval splitting the two halves of the match.

 

Halfback  

The player lining up behind and to one side of the quarterback in the backfield.

 

Handoff  

When the team with the ball hands it off to another player to advance it.

 

Handover  

When a player surrenders the ball to the opponent after being tackled the statutory number of times.

 

Heels  

After play-the-ball, the player can roll the ball back to another player with their foot.

 

High Tackle  

A tackle where the tackler grabs the ball carrier above the shoulders.

 

Highball  

A kick that sends the ball high into the air, allowing players to compete for possession.

 

Home Nations  

The collective term for the teams of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

 

Hook  

The hooker’s act of reaching the ball with their foot in the scrum.

 

Hookers  

Players wearing the number 2 shirt, located in the center of the front row of the scrum.

 

Hookline  

A running line for receiving the ball inside the ball carrier.

 

Hospital Pass  

A pass received by a teammate just before they are tackled hard by one or more opponents.

 

 I

 

In Goal  

The scoring area extending 6-11 meters from each goal line to each dead-ball line.

 

In Possession  

When a player has the ball in their hand.

 

Injury Time  

In professional matches, the referee stops and starts time for long interruptions, adding the duration to the end of each half.

 

IRB  

The International Rugby Board, now known as World Rugby, the governing body of rugby union.

 

J

 

Jumper  

A rugby jersey or a player in a lineout jumping to catch or intercept the throw.

 

K

 

Kick Tennis  

A style of play where both teams frequently kick the ball back and forth, rather than running with it.

 

Kickoff  

The dropkick from the center of the halfway line that starts both halves of the match.

 

Kicks  

Hitting the ball with the foot or moving the feet and legs rapidly and violently.

 

Knock On  

Losing, falling, or knocking the ball forward from a player’s hand.

 

L

 

Latcher/Latching On  

A player joining the ball carrier in open play to add strength and weight to break the line.

 

Late Tackle  

A tackle made on a player who has already passed or kicked the ball.

 

League  

Rugby’s version played with thirteen players under different laws than rugby union.

 

Lifting  

Lifting the lineout jumper into the air for a better catch or interception.

 

Line Break  

When the ball carrier gets through the opponent’s defensive line without being tackled.

 

Line Out  

In rugby union, a way to restart play after the ball goes into touch.

 

Line-Out Code  

Coded information used to communicate intent about a line-out within one team.

 

Lock  

Players wearing shirts numbers 4 and 5, known for their height, strength, and jumping ability.

 

Loose Arms  

An offense committed by the hooker if they do not bind correctly in the scrum.

 

Loose Balls  

When the ball is not carried by a player and not being scrimmaged.

 

Loose Forward  

A forward who plays behind or alongside the scrum without being fully bound into it.

 

Loose Head  

The prop closest to the player who feeds the scrum.

 

 M

 

Mark  

When a player standing inside their twenty-two-meter line catches a forward kick and shouts “mark,” entitling them to a free kick.

 

Maul  

When approximately three players from each team contest the ball carrier, moving toward a goal line.

 

Medical Joker  

A player signed as an injury replacement for a professional rugby club.

 

Mismatch  

A situation where a back is one-on-one with a forward, advantageous for the attacking side.

 

Mulligriber  

A kick directed towards the ground, causing the ball to bounce unpredictably.

 

Mutual Infringement  

A stoppage not caused by either team.

 

 N

 

No Side  

An outdated term for the end of the match, replaced by full time.

 

North  

Before professionalism in rugby union, players often switched to rugby league for payment, making them ineligible for rugby union.

 

Not Straight  

A call by the referee when a lineout throw or scrum feed is incorrectly aimed toward the team in possession.

 

Number 8  

Players wearing shirts number 8, coordinating scrums and ruck moves with the scrum-half.

 

 O

 

Obstruction  

An offense where a player intentionally impedes another player without the ball.

 

Offload  

When a player passes the ball to a teammate before being tackled.

 

Off-Load Pass  

A short pass made before being tackled or reaching the ground.

 

Offside  

An imaginary line during rucks, scrums, lineouts, and mauls, crossing which before the set-piece is a penalty.

 

On Side  

When a player is behind the related offside line and actively participating in the game.

 

On The Full  

When the ball is kicked into touch without bouncing inside the playing field.

 

Open Side  

The side opposite to the blindside during a set-piece, ruck, or maul.

 

Out of Play  

Not in a position to be officially or feasibly played.

 

Overlap  

A situation where more attacking players are on one side of the field than defending players.

 

Overload  

When the player’s body is adjusted to the training stress, working harder or longer than normal.

 

 P

 

Pack  

Another term for the forwards, especially when bound for a scrum.

 

Pass  

When a player transfers the ball to a teammate by throwing it.

 

Penalised  

Subject to a penalty for breaking the rules of the game.

 

Penalty  

Punishment for a rule violation, awarded to the opposing team.

 

Penalty Kick  

A place kick awarded for a penalty offense, worth three points if successful.

 

Penalty Try  

Awarded when the referee believes a try was illegally prevented from being scored, worth seven points.

 

Phase  

The duration the ball is in play between breakdowns.

 

Pills  

A term for a rugby ball.

 

Pitch  

The playing field for rugby, covered with grass and defined by specific markings and dimensions.

 

Place Kick  

A kicking style used for penalties and conversions, usually aiming for points.

 

Play Area  

The area bounded by the touchlines and dead-ball lines.

 

Playing Field  

Also called a pitch or paddock, the grass-covered area where rugby is played.

 

Pop Pass  

A short pass where the ball is “hung” in the gap for the receiver to run onto.

 

Prop  

A forward at both ends of the front row of a scrum.

 

Puma  

The South African Rugby union team competing in the First Division of the Currie Cup.

 

Punters  

Players who kick the ball to the other team to limit field position advantage.

 

Pushover Try  

A try scored by the forward pack pushing the other side’s scrum pack backward over the try line.

 

 R

 

Red Card  

A card signifying a player has been sent off and cannot participate further.

 

Red Zone  

The area of the field between the try line and around 22 meters out, where a try is most likely to be scored or conceded.

 

Restart  

A kick from the center line after the opponent has scored points.

 

Round the Corner Kicking  

A style of placekicking where the kicker approaches the ball from an angle.

 

Ruck  

Formed when a player is tackled, goes to ground, and frees the ball. Teams compete for the ball by driving over it.

 

Rugger  

An informal term for rugby.

 

Ruggerbugger  

A dated term for someone who played rugby.

 

RWC  

Acronym for the Rugby World Cup, the premier international rugby union competition.

 

S

 

Scrum  

A method to restart play involving players packing closely together to gain possession of the ball.

 

Scrum Down  

The formation of a scrum before the ball is placed in.

 

Scrum Half  

The key player who throws the ball into the scrum and passes it out to the backline.

 

Selector  

Someone responsible for choosing players for a team, usually for representative sides.

 

Set Piece  

A situation where the ball is returned to open play after a stoppage.

 

Seven  

Rugby union’s variant played with seven players, resulting in a fast-paced game.

 

Shoeing  

Pushing players away with feet during a ruck, an illegal act.

 

Short Arm Penalty  

A penalty awarded for technical offenses, resulting in a free kick.

 

Sipi Tau  

A Tongan war dance performed before international matches.

 

Siva Tau  

A Samoan war dance performed before international matches.

 

Six Nations  

An annual competition involving England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.

 

 

Spear Tackle  

A dangerous tackle where a player is lifted and driven into the ground head-first.

 

Springboks  

The national rugby union team of South Africa.

 

Static Passing  

Passing while stationary.

 

Stellenbosch Law  

A set of experimental laws considered by World Rugby from 2006 to 2008.

 

Strike  

Trying to secure possession of the ball, usually by heeling it in a scrum.

 

Super 14  

A round-robin competition where each team plays every other team once.

 

Switch  

A simple change of direction in play.

 

 T

 

Tackle  

When an opponent brings the ball carrier to the ground and holds them there.

 

Take  

A well-performed catch of a kicked ball.

 

Tap Kick  

A kick from a penalty or free kick, followed by a quick pass or run.

 

Tap Penalty  

A quick tap kick taken to exploit the opponent’s unorganized defense.

 

Tap Tackle  

A tackle where the defender dives and taps the attacker’s ankle, causing them to stumble.

 

Ten  

A variation of rugby union with ten players per team.

 

Ten Meter Law  

An offside rule to prevent injury during a forward kick.

 

Test  

A match between two national teams.

 

Test Match  

An international rugby union match between senior national teams.

 

Tight Five  

The five non-loose forwards in a scrum.

 

Tighthead  

The prop positioned to the right of the hooker in a scrum.

 

TMO  

Television match official, also known as the video referee.

 

Touch  

The area outside the touchlines.

 

Touch Down  

Grounding the ball by the defensive team in their in-goal.

 

Touch Judge  

An official monitoring the touchline and verifying goals.

 

Touching the Ball  

Grounding the ball in the goal area to score points.

 

Touch-in-Goal  

The sides of the in-goal areas.

 

Touchline  

The lines bounding the long sides of the playing field.

 

Tri Nations  

An annual competition between the men’s national teams of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

 

Try  

Scoring by grounding the ball on or behind the opponent’s goal line, worth five points.

 

Try Line  

The goal line defining the boundary between the field of play and the in-goal.

 

Tunnel  

The gap between the front rows in a scrum or the gap between the two lines of forwards in a lineout.

 

Turnover  

When one side gains possession of the ball, usually at the breakdown.

 

Twenty Metre Restart  

A dropkick taken from behind the twenty-meter line after the ball was caught in the in-goal area.

 

Twenty Two Metre Drop-Out  

A dropkick from behind the twenty-two meter line to restart play.

 

 U

 

Uncontested Scrum  

A scrum where the team throwing in gains possession without competition.

 

Union  

Another term for the most popular form of rugby, including 15, 10, or 7 players per side.

 

Unload the Tackle  

Releasing another player after making a tackle.

 

Up and Under  

A high kick aimed to allow the kicking team to compete for the ball.

 

Upright Tackle  

A tackle where the player’s elbow touches the ground, or they are held in an upright tackle.

 

Use it or Lose it  

A call by the referee during a maul, requiring the team with the ball to pass within five seconds.

 

 V

 

Video Referee  

Television match official, monitoring the match and assisting the referee.

 

Voluntary Tackle  

When a player stops play without being tackled.

 

 W

 

Wallaby  

The national rugby union team of Australia.

 

Weak Side  

Also known as the Blindside, the short side of the field.

 

Webb Ellis Trophy  

Awarded to the winner of the men’s Rugby World Cup.

 

Wheel  

A scrum that has turned 90 degrees or more, leading to a reset.

 

William Webb  

An English clergyman credited with inventing rugby football in 1823.

 

Wings  

The quickest players in the team, using speed to avoid tackles.

 

 X

 

XY  

The first fifteen selected players of a rugby club or team.

 

 Y

 

Yellow Card  

A card shown for offenses under Law 9 – Foul Play, resulting in a ten-minute suspension.

 

 Z

 

Zero Tackle  

A rule allowing the attacking team to restart the tackle count after the defending team touches the ball in the air.

 

 

Explore these terms and more on JamboBet to deepen your understanding of rugby and enhance your betting experience.

 

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