47 rugby terms defined, including ruck, maul, garryowen, hospital pass and up and under, each explained in one short line.
Rugby terminology is unusually blunt: a maul is a maul, a knock-on is exactly what it sounds like, and the positions are named after what they do in the scrum. Below are the words related to rugby that describe phases of play, along with the words associated with rugby positions and the shorthand commentators reach for. The rugby glossary near the end sorts every term alphabetically for when a phase goes past faster than you can follow it.
Must-Know Rugby Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Blindside
- Breakdown
- Conversion
- Drop goal
- Flanker
- Grubber
- Hooker
- Lineout
- Maul
- Offload
- Prop
- Ruck
- Scrum
- Tackle
- Try
- Wing
- Back row
- Box kick
- Center
- Dummy
- Knock-on
- Lock
- Pitch
- Sin bin
- Fullback
- Garryowen
- Up and under
- Wing forward
- Yellow card
- Red card
Rugby Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Back row | The three players at the back of the scrum, the two flankers and the number eight. They link the forwards to the backs in open play. |
| Backs | The seven players outside the scrum, from scrum-half to fullback. They are generally the faster, more elusive half of the team. |
| Blindside | The narrower side of the field from a scrum or ruck, and the name of the flanker who packs down on that side. |
| Box kick | A high, short kick from the scrum-half at the base of a ruck, played to win territory or force a mistake under the ball. |
| Breakdown | The contest for the ball immediately after a tackle, before a ruck properly forms. Games are won and lost here. |
| Center | The two players wearing 12 and 13, inside and outside center. They defend the midfield and create space for the wings. |
| Choke tackle | A tackle that keeps the ball carrier upright and drives them backward, holding them off the ground so the ball cannot be released. |
| Conversion | The kick at goal after a try, worth two points, taken in line with where the try was grounded. |
| Drop goal | Three points scored by dropping the ball to the ground and kicking it through the posts on the half volley. |
| Flanker | A back row forward who packs on the side of the scrum, one blindside and one openside. High work rate, first to every breakdown. |
| Fly-half | The number 10, who receives the ball from the scrum-half and decides whether the team runs, passes or kicks. |
| Forwards | The eight players who contest the scrum, numbers 1 to 8. They win the ball in the tight and carry it into contact. |
| Fullback | The number 15, the last line of defense. Takes high balls, covers kicks and joins the attack from deep. |
| Garryowen | A high hanging kick sent up so chasers can contest it as it drops. Named after the Irish club that made it a weapon. |
| Grubber | A kick along the ground that skids and bounces past defenders for a chaser to run onto. |
| Handbags | Slang for a brief, harmless scuffle between players that the referee breaks up without cards. |
| Held up | When a player is tackled over the try line but cannot ground the ball because defenders keep it off the turf. No try is awarded. |
| Hooker | The middle of the front row, who hooks the ball back in the scrum and usually throws in at the lineout. |
| Hospital pass | A pass delivered so late or so badly that the receiver catches it just as defenders arrive. |
| In-goal area | The ground between the try line and the dead ball line, where a try has to be grounded. |
| Jackal | A player who gets over the ball at the breakdown and steals it before the ruck forms. |
| Kick-off | The drop kick from the halfway line that starts each half and restarts play after a score. |
| Knock-on | Losing the ball forward off the hands or arms. Play stops and the other team gets the scrum. |
| Lineout | The restart after the ball goes into touch. Two lines of forwards face each other, players are lifted, and the hooker throws in. |
| Lock | The two tall forwards at 4 and 5, the power in the middle of the scrum and the main targets at the lineout. |
| Maul | A ball carrier held up by opponents with teammates bound on, all still on their feet, driving forward together. |
| Number eight | The forward at the base of the scrum, wearing 8. Can pick the ball up and carry it, and links forwards with backs. |
| Offload | A pass given away in the act of being tackled, keeping the ball alive instead of setting up a ruck. |
| Penalty try | A try awarded by the referee when foul play clearly prevented one from being scored. |
| Pitch | The playing field, up to 100 meters between try lines and about 70 meters wide, with H-shaped posts at each end. |
| Prop | The two front row forwards wearing 1 and 3, who anchor the scrum and do the heavy lifting at the lineout. |
| Red card | A permanent send-off for dangerous or deliberate foul play. The team plays the rest of the match a player short. |
| Ruck | A contest for a ball on the ground, with players from both teams on their feet over it. You must enter from your own side. |
| Rugger | Old-fashioned slang for the game itself, and by extension for the people who play it. |
| Scrum | The set restart where eight forwards from each side bind and push, with the ball fed in between them. |
| Scrum-half | The number 9, who feeds the scrum, clears the ball from rucks and links the forwards to the fly-half. |
| Sin bin | The ten minutes a yellow-carded player spends off the field, leaving their team temporarily a player short. |
| Smother tackle | A tackle that wraps up the ball and the carrier's arms, stopping the offload rather than just the runner. |
| Tackle | Bringing a ball carrier to ground. The tackler must release immediately and roll away before contesting again. |
| Touchline | The line marking each side of the pitch. A ball or player crossing it is in touch, and the game restarts with a lineout. |
| Try | Grounding the ball in the opposition in-goal area, worth five points and the main way of scoring. |
| Turnover | Winning the ball back from the team that had it, at a breakdown, a scrum or through a mistake. |
| Twenty-two | The line 22 meters from each try line, the reference for restarts, kicking tactics and drop-outs. |
| Up and under | A kick sent high and short so the kicking team can chase and compete for it. The same idea as a Garryowen. |
| Wing | The players on either flank, usually the fastest in the team and the ones who finish moves. |
| Wing forward | Another name for a flanker, the forward working on the side of the scrum and at every breakdown. |
| Yellow card | A caution for serious but not flagrant foul play, sending the player to the sin bin for ten minutes. |
#1 Blindside
A side of the field that is narrow and typically used for strategic plays; it’s also a position for a flanker who lines up on the side of a scrum opposite to where the ball is thrown in. This term reflects the element of surprise in attack or defense.
#2 Breakdown
An area of play that occurs immediately after a tackle and before a ruck is formed, where both teams compete to secure the ball. Contested fiercely, it is a critical phase in the game where matches can be won or lost.
#3 Conversion
A kick at goal awarded after a try is scored, worth an additional two points if successful. Taken from a spot in line with where the try was scored, it challenges kickers with varying angles and distances.
#4 Drop goal
A method of scoring three points by dropping the ball onto the ground and kicking it as it bounces through the uprights. Often used opportunistically, a successful drop goal can be a game-changing play.
#5 Flanker
A player position in rugby, part of the back row in the scrum; renowned for their high work rate, flankers are key to winning possession and are often involved in the breakdown. There are two flankers on a team, usually designated as ‘blindside’ and ‘openside’.
#6 Grubber
A grubber is a type of kick in rugby where the ball is kicked so that it rolls and bounces along the ground. It is often used to advance the ball past defenders, creating opportunities for chasing players to regain possession closer to the try line.
#7 Hooker
The hooker is a central player in the front row of the scrum. This position is crucial for winning possession in the scrum, as the hooker uses their feet to ‘hook’ the ball back towards their team. Hookers are also integral during lineouts, often tasked with throwing the ball in.
#8 Lineout
A lineout is a method of restarting play in rugby that occurs when the ball has gone out of bounds over the sideline. Players from each team line up parallel to each other, and the hooker throws the ball down the corridor between these lines. Players lift teammates to catch the ball and gain possession.
#9 Maul
A phase of play where a ball-carrier and at least one other player from each team are bound together, standing on their feet, moving towards a goal line. Mauls often occur after a player is tackled but not brought to ground.
#10 Offload
A skillful pass made by a player in possession of the ball just before they are tackled, allowing for continuous play and momentum by avoiding a ruck or maul situation.
#11 Prop
Refers to the two forwards wearing jerseys number 1 and 3, positioned in the front row of the scrum. They are pivotal for providing stability and power in scrummaging, rucks, and mauls.
#12 Ruck
A phase of play where one or more players from each team, who are on their feet, close around the ball on the ground. Players must enter from their own side to contest or protect the ball.
#13 Scrum
A method of restarting play involving players packing closely together with their heads down, trying to gain possession of the ball. It’s a key element of Rugby, combining strength, technique, and teamwork.
#14 Tackle
A fundamental defensive action where a player brings an opponent carrying the ball to the ground, stopping their forward progress and often leading to a ruck or turnover.
#15 Try
A try is the primary way to score points in rugby, worth five points. It is scored when a player places the ball down in the opposition’s in-goal area (end zone). Following a try, the team has the opportunity to kick a conversion for an additional two points.
#16 Wing
A wing is a player position in rugby, typically one of the fastest players on the team, positioned on the far left or right of the field. Wings are crucial for finishing offensive plays and scoring tries, often receiving the ball after it has been passed down the line away from opponents.
#17 Back row
The back row consists of the numbers six, seven, and eight in the scrum, typically comprising two flankers and the number eight. They are crucial in linking the forwards and backs during open play.
#18 Box kick
A tactical kick performed by the scrum-half, who kicks the ball high and short from the base of a ruck or scrum. It’s used to gain territory or to put pressure on the opposing backfield.
#19 Center
Centers are the players wearing the number 12 (inside center) and 13 (outside center) jerseys. They are key members of the backline, responsible for both defense and creating opportunities through running and passing.
#20 Dummy
A deceptive move where a player pretends to pass the ball but keeps it, attempting to fool the opposition. It’s an effective way to create space and advance the team.
#21 Knock-on
Occurs when a player accidentally pushes the ball forward with their hands or arms, resulting in a stoppage in play and a scrum awarded to the non-offending team.
#22 Lock
Locks are tall, powerful players usually wearing jersey numbers four and five. They are the engine room in the scrum, providing power from behind and are also important targets in the lineout.
#23 Pitch
The pitch in rugby refers to the playing field. It is a grassy area that is 100 meters long and about 70 meters wide, with H-shaped goalposts at each end.
#24 Sin Bin
In rugby, the sin bin is a temporary holding area for players who have committed an offense warranting a yellow card, not serious enough for a red card. Players sit out for a designated time period, normally 10 minutes, before returning to the game.
#25 Fullback
The fullback is a defensive position in the backline, responsible for covering the rear of the action and often the last line of defense. They must excel in catching high balls, tackling, and counter-attacking with strategic runs or kicks.
#26 Garryowen
A Garryowen, also known as an “up and under,” is a high, hanging kick intended to put pressure on the receiving team. It allows the kicking team’s players to contest for possession as the ball comes down.
#27 Up and Under
Similar to a Garryowen, an “up and under” is a tactical kick where the ball is kicked high and shallow toward the opposing team. Its purpose is to force errors from the opposition under the high ball or regain possession.
#28 Wing Forward
The wing forward, or flanker, operates on the side of the scrum, playing a crucial role both in securing possession at the breakdown and in providing support and aggression in open play. There are two flankers on a team, typically categorized as blindside and openside.
#29 Yellow Card
A yellow card in rugby is a disciplinary action taken by the referee against a player for serious but not flagrant fouls. The player receiving a yellow card is sent to the sin bin and must leave the pitch for ten minutes, leaving their team temporarily one player short.
#30 Red Card
A red card is issued for particularly dangerous or deliberate fouls and results in the player being ejected from the game without the possibility of substitution. This leaves the team permanently one player short for the remainder of the match and often significantly impacts the game’s outcome.
FAQ
What is the term for scoring five points in rugby?
A try. It is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition in-goal area and is followed by a conversion attempt worth two more points.
What is a goal called in rugby?
Rugby does not use the word goal for its main score. Points come from a try, a conversion after a try, a penalty kick at goal or a drop goal.
What is the out of bounds line in rugby called?
The touchline. A ball or player crossing it is said to be in touch, and play restarts with a lineout at the point where it went out.
What do you call people who play rugby?
Rugby players, or ruggers in older slang. Within a team they split into forwards, the eight who contest the scrum, and backs, the seven outside it.
What is smothering in rugby?
A smother tackle. The tackler wraps up both the carrier and the ball, so the pass or offload is stopped rather than just the run.
What is it called when a tackler holds a player up and pushes them back?
A choke tackle. The carrier is kept upright and driven backward so the ball never reaches the ground. Over the try line the same thing is called being held up, and no try is given.
What are some words associated with rugby?
They cluster around phases of play (scrum, ruck, maul, lineout, breakdown), positions (prop, hooker, lock, flanker, fly-half) and scoring (try, conversion, penalty, drop goal). The rugby glossary above has every one of them.
What are some Rugby terms for beginners?
“Scrum,” “Tackle,” and “Try” are some Rugby terms beginners should start with. They represent a fundamental set of game actions and scoring methods in Rugby.
What are some funny Rugby terms?
“Hooker,” “Grubber,” and “Garryowen” are some funny Rugby terms. Their unusual names bring a lighter tone to the game, each describing positions and kick types with quirky flair.
What is a famous Rugby phrase?
“A game of two halves,” is a famous Rugby phrase, often used to describe the unpredictable nature of Rugby, where the outcome can drastically change after halftime.
