Rugby is a two-team sport that requires minimal equipment to play. A field (or pitch), a rugby ball, and some cleats are the basics required for playing. There are two main types of rugby – League and Union. Muddy York plays Union rugby, meaning there are 15 players on each side. Within each side, the 15 players are split between “forwards” and “backs”. The forwards typically are on the bigger side physically and work to gain possession of the ball from the other team and to protect the backs once possession is gained. The backs use speed and ball handling to create opportunities to score points. Most crucially: players can only pass the ball backwards or sideways.
The objective of the game is to score points by carrying the ball across the opponent’s goal line (called a “try”) or kicking it over the crossbar of the goalposts.
In non-contact flag rugby, the number of players and their positions are less defined, but their objective remains the same: run forward, pass backwards, and carry the ball across the other team’s try line.
Beginners guide to Rugby Union
Player position overview
(starting at 2:21)
Introduction to flag rugby