Lesson 4 of 5 · Learn Major League Rugby
Lesson 4: Key Rules and Fouls
Rugby has clear rules that keep the game fair and safe. Here are the most important ones for beginners.
Core Rules:
- Forward Pass: You can ONLY pass the ball sideways or backward — never forward. Breaking this gives the other team a scrum.
- Knock-on: Dropping or fumbling the ball forward is a knock-on — also results in a scrum for the other team.
- Offside: Players must stay behind the ball or risk being offside and interfering with play — a penalty kick is awarded.
- The Tackle: When a ball-carrier is brought to the ground, the tackler must release immediately. Players must enter the breakdown area through "the gate" (from behind the ball).
- Ruck: When both teams contest the ball on the ground — players cannot use their hands to pick the ball out.
- Maul: When the ball-carrier is held up off the ground by teammates and opponents.
Fouls and Cards:
- Yellow Card: The player sits in the sin-bin for 10 minutes
- Red Card: The player is sent off; in MLR, a replacement may enter after 20 minutes
- High or dangerous tackles are treated especially seriously and can result in cards