subject: Getting Down The Roots Of Rugby [print this page] The history of rugby, also known as rugby union, goes back to the 19th century when a Rugby School student named William Webb Ellis, who was playing soccer at the time, picked up the ball and ran downfield with it instead of kicking it. Other English schools and universities soon adopted the style in the mid-19th century.
In 1875, rugby was able to make its way to the US but only to fade away a few years later as football, a similarly played game, came into the forefront. In 1895 an argument in England over paying players led to a split between groups of clubs and two forms of the sport rugby league and rugby union - have existed since.
The rules may differ slightly, but the basic idea for both the rugby league and the rugby union is the same. The rugby field is roughly 160 yards long and 75 yards wide, with goal lines 110 yards apart.Two in-goals corresponding to football's end zones are positioned 25 yards deep. A halfway line divides the field, which is further subdivided by other lines which are parallel to the goal line.
The goal posts have measurements that are similar to those used in American football, and the ball, although larger and more rounded, is comparable to the American football. Players may kick, carry, or pass the ball, although they can only pass the ball to either side or to the rear.Tackling is permitted in rugby games, although blocking is forbidden.
Unlike American football, rugby games feature almost continuous play.After penalties and out-of-bounds plays, a scrum, in which the two opposing lines of forwards kick the ball thrown between them, starts play again.
Points are scored for carrying the ball into the opponent's in-goal, conversions, field goal kicks, and penalty kicks. Rugby games have two 40-min halves, and may end in a tie. Since 1987, when the Rugby World Cup matches were first established, nations have competed for the Webb Ellis Cup, named for the sport's supposed founder; outside the British Isles.The sport has also found a following in the countries of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and France.
