There are two methods of restarting play following a stoppage caused by either the ball going out of bounds or because of a minor infraction of the laws.

Line-Out : If the ball goes out of bounds, it is restarted with a lineout. Both teams form a line perpendicular to the touch line and one meter apart from one another. A player of the non-offending team calls a play and throws the ball in the air in a straight line between the two lines. Players of each team may be supported in the air by their teammates to gain possession of the ball.

Scrum : A bound up group of players from each team form a “tunnel” with the opposition. The nonoffending team puts the ball into the tunnel by rolling it into the middle and each team pushes forward until one player is able to hook the ball with the feet and push it to the back row players of his team. The scrum half then retrieves the ball and puts it into play.

Offsides : The offside line is continually moving up and down the pitch. In most instances, the ball creates the offside line and players are not permitted to participate in play if they are on the opposing teams side of the ball. Being offside is not a penalty. Players attempting to participate in the game from an offside position can cause a penalty.

There are four ways to score points.

Try : 5 points are awarded to a team for touching the ball down in the other team’s in-goal area.

Conversion : Following a try, 2 points are awarded for a successful kick through the goal posts. The attempt is taken on a line, at least 10 meters, straight out from the point where the ball was touched down.

Penalty Kick : Following a major law violation, the kicking team, if in range, has the option to “kick for points.” 3 points are awarded for a successful penalty kick. The kick must be from the point of the penalty or anywhere on a line straight behind that point. The ball can be played if the kick fails.

Drop Goal : 3 points are awarded for a successful drop kick. A drop kick may be taken from anywhere on the field during play. The ball is alive if the kick fails.

Rugby has no blocking; it is a continuous play game. The person with the ball leads the attack; there are several ways to move the ball. Any player may carry, pass or kick the ball and play is not stopped and therefore continues when the ball hits the ground or when a player is tackled.

Running : When running the ball, players may continue to run until they are tackled, step out of bounds or run beyond the goal line. Players run the ball to advance toward the opponents’ goal line.

Passing : The ball may be passed to any player; however, it may only be passed laterally or backward and never forward. Players pass the ball to an open teammate to keep it in play and further advance it.

Kicking : Any player may kick the ball forward at any time. Once the ball is kicked, players of either team, regardless of whether or not the ball hits the ground, may gain possession. Players typically kick the ball to a teammate in an effort to advance it or to the opposing team to obtain relief from poor field position.

Rugby begins with a kickoff to the opponent from mid-field. Provided that the ball travels beyond the 10 meter line, any player from either team may gain possession of the ball.