The sport of rugby league football has accrued a considerable amount of jargon to describe aspects of the game.[1] Many terms originate from the Laws of the Game.[1] A number of aspects of the game have more than one term that refers to them.[1] Different terms have become popularly used to describe an aspect of the game in different places with notable differences between the northern and southern hemispheres.
Where words in a sentence are also defined elsewhere in this glossary, they appear in italics.
Every time a player is tackled, all defenders, apart from a maximum of two markers, have to retreat 10 metres from the play-the-ball area.
18th man
A player selected as a back-up to the official 17 man squad for a game. The 18th man usually warms up with the team prior to a match and may be called into the team if one of the 17 players is injured or ill prior to the start of the match. The term is also sometimes used informally to refer to a team's supporters, and the squad number 18 may even be reserved for this purpose.
20 metre restart
The 20 metre line is used to re-start the game in certain circumstances:
The phrase "20 metre re-start" is most commonly used to refer to an optional kick. (One of those options is to tap on the 20 metre line and run the ball.)
A 20m line drop out is taken by the defending team if the ball goes dead in their in-goal from any kind of penalty kick by their opponents.[2]
40/20 rule
If a player standing no more than 40 metres away from his own try line manages to a kick a ball in general play which bounces in the field of play then goes into touch inside his opponents, 20-metre area, his side restart the game with a tap 20m from the touchline and level with where the ball went out of play but no closer than 10m to the defending team's goal line.
A
A-defender
The defender in the defensive line that is immediately to the right or left of the play-the-ball.
Above the horizontal
One determinant of a dangerous tackle. Defenders lifting an attacking player off the ground to the point when their feet are higher than their head. Lifting a player this way can be a precursor to the outlawed spear tackle.
Advantage
"Advantage" is the period of time after an infringement, in which the non-offending side have the opportunity to gain sufficient territory or tactical opportunity to negate the need to stop the game due to the infringement. The referee will signal advantage with their arm out horizontally, toward the non-infringing team. If no tactical or territorial advantage is gained, the referee will whistle, and give the decision that had been delayed. If sufficient advantage is gained, the referee will call "advantage over", and play will continue. The Advantage Law allows the game to flow more freely, and not stop for every minor infringement.
Advantage line
It is an imaginary line across the pitch when there is a breakdown in open play, i.e. a play-the-ball, scrum. Advancing across the advantage line represents a gain in territory. Also called the "gain line".
Ankle tap
An ankle tap, also referred to as a tap-tackle, may be used as a last resort by a defender chasing the attacking player carrying the ball if that player is about to evade them and a conventional tackle is not possible. If the defender is not able to get close enough to the ball-carrier to wrap their arms around them in a conventional tackle, they may still be able to dive at the other player's feet and, with outstretched arm, deliver a tap or hook to the player's foot (or feet) causing the player to stumble. At speed, this will often be sufficient to bring the ball-carrier down and may sufficiently delay the attacker for a defender to complete the tackle or for the defending team to organise their defence.
Against the grain
When an attacking player makes an off the ball run that goes in the opposite direction of the attack. If the attacking side are passing the ball to the left edge the runner against the grain is running back into the middle of the pitch.
A type of tackle preventing the player (who is being tackled) being able to offload the ball to a team mate, who might, before the tackle has been completed, carry on the attack. This type of tackle involves preventing the player being tackled from being able to move their arms effectively.
Ball-carrier
The player in possession of the ball.
Ball-carrying arm
An instance in which a tackle can be judged to be complete is when the attacking player's ball-carrying arm is touching the ground at the same time that a defending player is in contact with the attacker.
If the ball enters touch, then play is restarted by a scrum at the point where the ball left the field of play. The exception is when the ball is kicked into touch without first bouncing inside the field of play (on the full). In this case, the scrum is taken from level with the place from where the ball was kicked from. The ball is given back to the team who did not kick it out of bounds; ball back is waived in certain circumstances:
If a side elects to kick a penalty into touch
Banana kick
A medium-range kick performed in general play that goes to off to the side of the kicker rather than in front, for chasers further afield. The aim of the banana kick is to be less predictable than conventional kicks and is named such thus as the rise and fall of the ball is in a curve like that of a banana.
Biff
Fighting.
Bend the line
The ball carrier takes a strong carry by putting the defenders on the back foot and therefore bending the defensive line.
Black dot
The underside of the crossbar connecting the goal posts will have a marking on it in the centre, usually black in colour, that is referred to as the "black dot".[3] The black dot can be used as an aid to kickers with their aiming. A player scoring a try in the centre of the goal line or in goal, that is beneath the posts, might be said to have scored "under the black dot".
Blindside
The narrow side of the pitch in relation to a scrum or a play the ball; the opposite of openside.
A breach of the line of defenders by the player in possession of the ball on the attacking team.
Bridging (obsolete)
Bridging refers to a team linking or binding players together at the play-the-ball into a scrum-like formation.[4]
Broken-time (obsolete)
Broken-time payments compensated players for the time they missed from work due to their rugby playing commitments. The use of these payments was one of the issues that led to the schism of rugby football in England. Broken-time payments were the original player payment system of the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895.
Bust
A bust, or tackle bust, is when a player breaks through an attempted tackle.
Bumper bars
When the ball carrier runs into contact and uses their forearms to initiate contact with the defenders, protecting the ball in the process.
C
Cannonball
A dangerous tackle in which a defender attacks the legs of a stationary, standing player who is being held upright by other tacklers.[5]
The centres, or 'centre three-quarters', (numbered 4 and 5) are positioned one in from the wings and together complete what is known as the three-quarter line. They are divided into left and right centres.
Usually the best mixture of power and vision, their main role is to try to create attacking opportunities for their team and defend those of the opposition. Along with the wingers, the centres score plenty of tries throughout a season.
A shoulder lock wrestling technique, often used to slow down the play-the-ball, that places "undue pressure" on joints of players.[7] It is punishable under Section 15, Law 1 (i) of the Laws of the Game as it is deemed "contrary to the true spirit of the game".[7][8]
Club call
A feature of the Super League play-offs between 2009 and 2014 in which the highest ranked team from the regular season table to win their match in the first week of the play-offs was able to select their opponents for their next game, a qualifying semi-final in week three, from the teams that won their preliminary semi-final in week two.[9]
Completion rate
The percentage of times in possession that a team holds the ball for a full set of six tackles.
If a team scores a try, they have an opportunity to "convert" it for two further points by kicking the ball between the posts and above the crossbar - that is, through the goal. The kick is taken at any point on the field of play in line with the point that the ball was grounded for the try parallel to the touch-lines. So it is advantageous to score a try nearer to the posts as it is easier to convert it.
It is an attacking tactic where a player receives a pass at pace and runs directly at the opposition's defensive line. The crash ball runner attempts to commit two or more opposing players to the tackle, then attempts to make the ball available to team-mates by off-loading in the tackle or recycling the ball quickly from the ruck.
By committing players to the tackle, the crash ball runner creates holes in the opposition's defense, thereby creating attacking opportunities for team-mates.
A dangerous tackle in which a grounded player's chin is forced down towards his torso.[5]
Cut out pass
Sometimes referred to as a "cut out ball", "face ball", or "face pass", the ball is passed by an attacking player across the front of one of their team mates and caught by a team mate positioned further away. This pass may be used to move the ball more speedily away from defenders who are closing in and likely to be focussing on the player who is "cut out".
D
Dead
The ball is deemed to be dead if it goes out of play beyond the dead ball line.
Dead ball line
A boundary located at each end of the playing field. The dead ball line is out of play.
Differential penalty
A penalty that may not be kicked for goal by the team to which it is awarded.[10] This kind of penalty is awarded when technical rule breaches (i.e. not foul play or obscene language) are committed during the time a scrum exists.[11] A differential penalty can be award against any player, whether in the scrum or outside.[11] In 2023 the RFL modified the rule to make penalties for scrum offences non-differential.[12]
Dominant tackle
A referee may call "Dominant!" as a player is tackled to indicate the dominance of the defender over the attacking player in possession during the contact between them at the tackle. A dominant tackle is judged to be when the defender makes contact and drives the attacker back in one movement. The dominant tackle call rewards good technique and allows the defender extra time before the attacker must be released to be allowed to play-the-ball.
Don't Argue
A hand-off that results in the defender getting floored and the attacker continuing their run.
Double movement
An illegal movement in the attempt to score a try. An attacking player whose momentum does not allow the ball to reach the try-line or in-goal after their ball-carrying arm touches the ground may not reach out to score if a defender is in contact with them; this is disallowed by interpretation as a "double movement".
Downward pressure
Downward pressure is one of the several criteria that needs to be met for a try to be awarded by the referee.
A drop goal is scored when a player kicks the ball from hand through the opposition's goal, but the ball must touch the ground between being dropped and kicked. It is worth one point.
The team awarded a free kick cannot score a dropped goal until the ball next becomes dead, or until an opponent has played or touched it, or has tackled the ball carrier.
A drop kick is when a player kicks the ball from hand and the ball touches the ground between being dropped and kicked. If a drop kick goes through a goal then it results in a drop goal.
Drop out
Drop-out may refer to the following ways of bringing the ball back into play:[13]
An offensive ruse, where the ball carrier moves as if to pass the ball to a team-mate, but then continues to run with the ball himself; the objective is to trick defenders into marking the would-be pass receiver, creating a gap for the ball carrier to run into.[14]
Dummy runner
Another offensive tactic; a player on the attacking team runs towards the opposition as if running onto a pass, only for the ball to be passed to another player, carried on by the ball carrier or kicked forwards. As with a dummy pass, this tactic draws defenders away from the ball and creates space for the attacking team. Also called a "decoy runner".
It is a tackling technique. The tackler wraps his arms around the ball carrier's thighs and lifts him a short distance in the air before forcibly driving him to the ground. The tackler must go to ground with the ball carrier for the tackle to be legal. This technique is useful to completely stop the opponent in his tracks. A dump tackle which drops the ball carrier on his head or neck is known as a spear tackle, and will almost invariably concede a penalty and possibly result in a caution for the tackler.
E
Elbows and knees
The ball carrier is trying to get a quick play of the ball and to do so will aim to land on their 'elbows and knees' meaning they can stand up quicker.
Engage
An attacking player engages, or attracts, a defender or defenders with the aim of manipulating their defensive position to the advantage of the attacking team.
Markers are required to "engage" at the play-the-ball, meaning they must be in an appropriate proximity to it.
A defending player in contact with the ball-carrier during or after the completion of a tackle aggressively and illegally touching the face of the ball-carrier with their hand or forearm. There may be different motivations for this action, such as wanting to provoke a reaction from the ball-carrier in order to gain a penalty, attempting to establish dominance over their opponent, or as a symptom of frustration.
Falcon
Main article: Falcon (sport)
An instance of the ball coming into contact with a person's head, almost always unintentionally.
Technically, the ball should enter the scrum via the tunnel formed by the front row forwards of the two teams binding together, with both teams able to strike for the ball, but a relaxed application of the rule is practised. The relaxed application allows players to roll the ball more directly into their team's side of the scrum thus reducing the chances of the other team successfully striking for the ball and gaining possession of it.
"Feeding!" is an ironic accusation sometimes called out by spectators of a game in response to a player taking advantage of the modern application of the rule.
Fend
Fending is the action by the ball carrier of repelling a tackler using his arm, also known as a "hand off". For the action to be legal, the ball carrier's arm must be straight before contact is made; a shove or "straight-arm smash", where the arm is extended immediately before contact or on contact, is illegal and classed as dangerous play.
Field goal
(obsolete) A type of goal scored by kicking a loose ball over the cross bar and between the posts that was abolished from the Game in 1950.[16]
After the 1920s, in Australia and New Zealand, another name for drop goal.[16][17]
A style of attacking play characterised by a lack of depth along the line of attacking players. More of the attacking team are in close proximity to defenders. The attackers look to take advantage of weaknesses created if defenders cannot organise themselves and allocate defenders to where they are needed. Weaknesses of this style of play include risk of passes being intercepted and a lack of speed in the attacking line.
Flat pass
This type of pass involves the player in possession of the ball and a team mate being level when the pass is received. The player about to receive the ball may be running past the ball-carrier aiming for a gap in the defence; with this there is a risk of committing a forward pass if the players get their timing wrong.
Flop
An attempt by a player not involved in the completion of a tackle to delay the player in possession from getting to their feet quickly afterwards by falling on top of those involved. The referee can award a penalty to the attacking team when he sees this tactic.
A forward pass is deemed to have occurred when the ball travels forward relative to the player passing it.[6] If the referee deems a forward pass to be accidental, this results in a scrum to the opposing team.[6] Deliberate forward passes identified by the referee will result in the award of a penalty.[6] It is extremely rare for a referee to deem a forward pass deliberate. If, during a non-forward pass, the ball is blown or bounces forward, it is not classed as a forward pass.[6]
Foul play
A non-technical breach of the rules such as a high tackle.
Four-tackle rule (obsolete)
The four-tackle rule was in force between 1966 and 1972.[18] The rule ended the situation, a by-product from the introduction of the play-the-ball in 1906, whereby teams could have a potentially unlimited number of tackles.[18][19] The tackle limit was raised from four to six tackles in 1972 to alleviate "disjointed" play.[18]
Fullback
The title of full back (numbered 1) comes from the full back's defensive position where the player drops out of the defensive line to cover the rear from kicks and runners breaking the line. They therefore usually are good ball catchers and clinical tacklers. In attack the full back will typically make runs into the attack or support a runner in anticipation of a pass out of the tackle.
"Ger 'em onside",[20] or "gerrumonside", is a corruption of "get them onside" shouted to match officials in some northern England accents. The term is used predominantly to express dissatisfaction with the distance back from the play-the-ball that the referee has taken the defending players.
Go
In competitions under some authorities, the referee will call "Go" to tell the defensive line that they may advance after an attacker has played the ball. This call is intended to reduce stoppages to deal with offside offences by defenders. This call may be used by the referee as part of a sequence: hold, go".
Grind
When the game is tight and both sides are just trying to complete their sets and gain field position a team will try win the grind.
A goal is scored when a player either kicks the ball through the plane bounded by the two uprights and above the crossbar. A conversion or penalty goal count for 2 points and drop goals for one.
Goal line
Two solid, straight white lines (one at each end) stretching across the entire width of the pitch passing directly through the goal posts which defines the boundary between the field of play and the in-goal. As the goal line is defined as part of the in-goal, attacking players can score tries by placing the ball with downward pressure onto the goal line itself. The base of the goal posts and post protectors are also defined to be part of the goal line.
The goal line is often referred to as the "try line" though that term does not appear in the Laws of the Game.
Goal line drop-out
Awarded when a defending player grounds the ball in his own in-goal area, is tackled with the ball in his own in-goal area, or when a defending player plays the ball dead (or into touch) behind his own goal line. The defending team must kick the ball from their own goal line and beneath the uprights to a minimum distance of ten metres.
The golden point, a sudden death overtime system, is sometimes used to resolve drawn rugby league matches. Minor variations exist to this system. In the National Rugby League, if the scores are level at the end of 80 minutes, 5 minutes are played, the teams swap ends with no break, and a further 5 minutes are played. Any score (try, penalty goal, or field goal) in this 10-minute period secures a win for the scoring team, and the game ends at that point.
Goose step
Change in running style from a sprint to high kicking in order to slow down a defender only to sprint once defender has slowed down.
A grapple tackle is a controversial tackling technique whereby the tackler attempts to impede the ball carrier by applying a choke hold-like manoeuvre. Although players can be penalised for its use, it is difficult to enforce.
The act of placing the ball down correctly over the try line in order to score a try. The question of whether a try was properly grounded is often key to the referee's decision to award a try or not.
Grub
A player who is deemed "dirty" whether by fans or other players
A type of kick which makes the ball roll and tumble across the ground, producing irregular bounces making it hard for the defending team to pick up the ball without causing a knock-on. It gives the ball both high and low bounce and on occasions, the ball can sit up in a perfect catching position.
The haka is a traditional Māori dance performed by the Kiwis, the international rugby league team of New Zealand, immediately prior to international matches. It serves as a challenge to the opposing team. The term is often used more broadly (and often inaccurately) to refer to any war dance performed prior to a match (such as Samoa's Siva Tau).
A situation in which a ball-carrier is able to briefly get through the defensive line but is tackled before they can make a clean break.
Halves
The halves, also known as half backs and sometimes inside backs,[21] are the scrum-half (or halfback) and stand-off (or five-eighth) positions. They are named thus as in 19th century rugby football they were positioned at the midpoint between the forwards and the three full backs used during that time.[22] Originally known as halfway backs in the 19th century, this was shortened in time.[22]
"The surrendering of the ball to the opposition after a team has been tackled the statutory number of successive times."[13] After the sixth tackle is completed the handover occurs.[23] If the team in possession accidentally knocks on or passes forward after the fifth tackle a handover will occur rather than the usual scrum for these breaches; a handover also happens if a team kicks the ball into touchon the full after the fifth tackle.[23]
Before 1983, at the end of a set of tackles, a scrum had been formed with loose head and feed to the team that had been defending.[24]
Medical process carried out on players following any incident where concussion is suspected. Any player suffering a suspected concussion during a game is immediately removed from play and must undertake a head injury assessment (HIA). If the HIA is passed the player is free to return to the game. Failure of an HIA rules the player out from taking part in the rest of the game and the player must then follow the gradual return to play process.[25]
Held
The referee will call "held" to declare a tackle completed if the ball-carrier is held stationary by defenders.
A high tackle (or head-high tackle) is a form of tackle where the tackler grasps the ball carrier above the line of the shoulders (most commonly around the neck or at the line of the chin and jaw).
Executed violently or at speed, a high tackle is potentially instantly lethal and, as extremely dangerous play, high tackles are a cause for penalties, and yellow or red cards.
In competitions under some authorities, the referee will tell the defensive line that it is too soon to advance on attackers at the play-the-ball by calling "Hold!". This call may be used by the referee as part of a sequence: "Move, hold, go".
Hooker
The hooker (numbered 9) is most likely to play the role of dummy-half. In defence the hooker usually defends in the middle of the line against the opposition's props and second-rowers. The hooker will be responsible for organising the defence in the middle of the field. In attack as dummy-half this player is responsible for starting the play from every play-the-ball by either passing the ball to the right player, or, at opportune moments, running from dummy-half. It is vital that the hooker can pass very well. Traditionally, hookers 'hooked' the ball in the scrum. Hookers also make probably more tackles than any other player on the field. The hooker is always involved in the play and needs to be very fit. He needs to have a very good knowledge of the game and the players around him.
A hospital pass is usually given by the player carrying the ball because they are attempting to prevent themselves being caught with the ball and tackled. The pass is often made under pressure and without consideration of the situation of the player receiving the pass. The player catching the ball is often stationary and already in the path of a defender thus presenting an easy target for a hard impact tackle (with a good possibility of heading to said hospital).
I
In and out
A running arc made by an attacking player. Often attempted by fast attacking players once the main line of defending players has been breached when they are left with the last player to beat. The ball-carrier arcs their run further in field, attempting to create indecision in the defender, before turning towards the corner and attempting to reach the goal line first to score a try.
Where a pass, in an attempt to find a member of the same team, is caught by a member of the opposing team.
Interchange
Each team may make a maximum of 12 interchanges from the 13 starting players and four substitutes.[27] A player sent from the field by the referee because they are bleeding may be replaced but should this happen the replacement will count as one of that team's allotted interchanges.[27]Props are the most commonly interchanged players due to their frequent physical confrontations with opponents. The number of interchanges allowed may differ in local competitions.
A coin is tossed and the winning captain either chooses which direction his team shall play, or elects to take the kick that starts the game. Both halves of the match are started with a kick off a tee from the centre-point of the halfway line. The kick must cross the opposition's 10-metre line, unless played by a member of the receiving team. The opposition are not allowed to encroach beyond the 10-metre line until the ball is kicked.
If the ball does not travel 10 metres, goes straight into touch, or goes over the dead ball line at the end of the pitch, the opposing will be given a penalty at the centre.
After a score, the game is restarted from the same place under the same restrictions, with the conceding team drop-kicking the ball to the scoring team.
Knock-on
It is also called a knock-forward. A knock-on is committed when, in an attempt to play at the ball, a player knocks the ball towards their opponents' dead ball line with their hands or arms and it touches either the ground, or an opposing player.[28] However, the ball may be knocked back. A knock-on results in a scrum with the put-in to the opposition apart from when a knock-on is committed by a player whose team is on their last tackle, when the result is a handover, and apart from if the opposing team gains possession of the ball, which results begins their set of tackles with a zero tackle.
L
Late tackle
A late tackle is a tackle executed on a player who has already passed or kicked away the ball. As it is illegal to tackle a player who does not have the ball, Late tackles are penalty offences (referees allow a short margin of error where the tackler was already committed to the tackle) and if severe or reckless may result in yellow or red cards.
If a late tackle occurs after a kick and a penalty is awarded, the non-offending team has the option of taking the penalty where the ball landed.
Lay a platform
When Team A's forward pack are on top of team B's pack and help give field position and time for the halves.
Leagues club
In Australia, a venue in which hospitality and gaming are operated for the benefit of a rugby league club,[29][30] which they control through the appointment of board members.[29] In the past, leagues clubs have provided funds to finance the operation of the sporting club, often due to profits made from poker machines.[30] In the 2000s, political attacks over corporate governance led to tax changes that lessened profitability and meant clubs had to look at widening their revenue streams.[30][31]
Limited tackles
Limited tackles were introduced in 1966, initially with a four-tackle rule.[18] After using their tackles, the team in possession must surrender the ball to their opponents. The limit would remain four until an increase to six tackles in 1972 created the six-tackle rule.[18]
The line-out was a method used to re-start play after the ball had gone into touch. Players from each team would stand in a line perpendicular to the touch line and attempt to catch the ball as it was thrown into the field of play. In 1897 the line-out was abolished and replaced with the punt-out.[32]
Line speed
The speed of the defensive team in rushing forwards to meet the ball carrier from the tackle. Since the defensive side must retreat 10 metres after each tackle, a key aspect of defence is how much of this 10 metres they can recover before contact with the ball carrier.
Loose carry
A referee may decide that an attacking player did not sufficiently protect their possession of the ball as they came into contact with defenders; this is termed a loose carry. This interpretation allows a referee to decide if they think the attacking player committed a knock-on or whether the defenders stripped the ball with intent.[33][34]
Loose forward
The loose forward (numbered 13) is the only forward in the third (last) row of the scrum. They are usually one of the fittest players on the field, covering the entire field on both attacking and defending duties. Typically they are big ball-runners who can occasionally slot in as a passing link or kick option; it is not uncommon for loose forwards to have the skills of a five eighth and to play a similar role in the team.
Loose head and feed
A team awarded a scrum due to a mistake by the opposing team is given the loose head and feed of that scrum.[35] The "loose head" means that the prop closest to the player who feeds the scrum (puts the ball in) will be a team mate.
In the era of fully contested scrums the loose head prop was able to exert influence on the outcome of the scrum by protecting the ball, moving the scrum etc.
Before 1983, a scrum was formed at the end of a set of tackles, but in 1983 this was changed to a handover of possession.[24]
The McIntyre system, or systems because there have been five of them, is a play-off system that gives an advantage to teams or competitors qualifying higher.
Mark
The mark is the place on the field where the referee awards a penalty kick, free kick or scrum.[28]
Marker
The defending team may position up to two of their players, known as "marker(s)" at the play-the-ball opposite the tackled player and the dummy-half from the attacking team.
Milking
The attacking player - when in the ruck - will fall to the floor when touched by the defender looking to earn a penalty. If the referee is not conned he may shout "Milking!" to tell the attacker, 'get on with it'.
In several sports, a minor premiership is the (often unofficial) award given to a team which finishes first overall in the standings after the regular season prior to commencement of the play-offs.
Momentum rule
The so-called "momentum rule" is related to the Law on forward passes. Whether a ball has been illegally passed forward is judged by its movement relative to the player passing it.[6] This method of judgement is used because most passes involve the ball moving forwards relative to the ground as the players carrying it are moving towards their opponents' goal line.[6]
Move
Refers to a passage of play. Often used to refer to pre-planned actions.
The referee will call "Move!" to order defending players to allow a tackled player to their feet.
Mulligrubber
The mulligrubber kick is a style of kicking. A mulligrubber is directed towards the ground and forced to bounce. Often used in situations where either the ball needs to be placed in a specific position (i.e. on the try line) or to intentionally stop the opponent from being able to catch the ball on the full.
O
Obstruction
Impeding any opponent who does not have the ball by tackling them or obstructing them.[28][36] The referee will penalise a player obstructing an opponent. A player is not required to move out of the path of another to prevent an obstruction. If two players from opposing teams are running in the same direction towards a loose ball they are permitted to shoulder charge their opponent.[37]
Offload
An offload is when a player holding the ball is tackled, but passes the ball to a team mate before the tackle is completed. (A tackle is not considered complete until one of the following occurs: the arm carrying the ball touches the ground while the player is still held by the tackler; the player's forward momentum stops - in other words, he stops moving forward - while still being held by the tackler; or the referee calls "held".) If a player passes the ball legally during a tackle - in other words, if he offloads the ball - it does not count as a tackle in his team's current set of six, and play continues normally. Dual rugby/league international Sonny Bill Williams is particularly famous for his offloading ability.
A player is considered temporarily out of play if they are offside and they might be penalised if they join the game inappropriately.[28]
A player is offside when they are forward of the relevant offside line i.e. between the relevant offside line and the opposing team's dead ball line.
In a match, most players will be offside several times but they only become liable for penalty if they do not act to attempt to become onside (which generally means retreat downfield) or attempt to interfere with play.
In open play, only the ball carrier's team (or the team that last carried or deliberately touched the ball) is bound by offside - the offside line for them is the ball. (Note every player who passes the ball backwards is offside and must attempt to retire.)
One-on-one tackle is a colloquial phrase used to refer to a phase of play in rugby league in which a single defender attempts to tackle the ball carrier.
One-out rugby
When the dummy half passes to the first receiver who will take the ball into collision to gain metres. No passing beyond the initial play of the ball and pass from dummy-half occurs.
Onside
A player is onside whenever he or she is behind the relevant offside line for the particular phase of play. Players who are onside take an active part in playing the game.
Previously offside players may be "put onside" by the actions of other players (for example, in a kick ahead in open play, players in the kicker's team in front of the kick are offside but can be put onside by the kicker or any other team member who was onside at the time of the kick running up the pitch past them). So that players can be confident they are now onside and can take an active part in the game, the referee may shout "Onside" or "All onside".
On the full
If the ball is kicked into touch without first bouncing inside the field of play it is referred to as the ball being kicked into touch on the full.
A player catching the ball after a kick before it bounces has caught it on the full.
Openside
The broad side of the pitch in relation to a scrum or a play-the-ball.
Optional kick
The optional kick is the instrument used to bring the ball back into play.[28][38] The team taking the kick may kick the ball in any way and in any direction.[28][38] Except in cases of a penalty kick being taken, an optional kick is taken from the centre of the 20m line if the attacking team are the last to touch the ball before it goes over the dead ball line or touch in-goal line.[38] An optional kick will also be awarded if an "attacking player infringes in the in-goal area" or if a defending player catches a kick in general play on the full while in their in-goal.[38]
A set-piece move with numerous variations in which attacking players stand side-by-side facing their own goal line while they and their teammates attempt to obscure the ball and confuse the defenders of the opposing team. The move is named after the Parramatta Eels.
Pass
A pass is to transfer a ball to a teammate by throwing it.[28] Passes must not travel forward in direction from the hands of the person passing. There are different varieties of pass, including the flat, direct spin pass; the short, close-quarters pop pass; and the floated pass - a long pass which an advancing player can run onto at pace.
Penalties are awarded for serious infringements like dangerous play, offside and handling the ball on the ground.
Penalty kick
If a side commits a penalty infringement the opposition can take the option of a place kick at goal from where the infringement occurred. This is called a penalty kick. If successful, it is worth two points.
A penalty try awarded if the referee believes a team illegally prevents a probable try from being scored. Penalty tries are always awarded under the posts regardless of where the offence took place.
The place kick is a kicking style commonly used when kicking for goal. It typically involves placing the ball on the ground. To keep the ball in position, a mound of sand or plastic tee is sometimes used.
Placer
Placers are used to hold the ball in-place for a kicker during a place kick attempt.[39] Placers are usually only used in the modern game if weather conditions are causing the ball to move from the position it has been set in by the kicker.[39] In the early years of the game, when defenders could charge the ball as soon as it touched the ground, a placer was permitted to be used to place the ball on the ground at the last moment.[39]
A professional foul is a deliberate act of foul play, usually to prevent an opponent scoring.
Prop
The props (numbered 8 and 10) are normally the largest players on field (they typically weigh over 15 stones (100kg) in the open age/senior game). They are positioned in the centre of the line. The prop is an 'enforcer', dissuading the opposition from attacking the centre of the defensive line and in attack give the team momentum by taking the ball up to the defence aggressively.
Punt-out (obsolete)
Between 1897 and 1902, the punt-out, also called a kick-in, was an option for the method of restarting play after the ball had gone into touch (the other option being a scrum).[40] It replaced the line-out in 1897 and was itself replaced by a scrum on the 10 yard line in 1902.[32] A punt-out was taken from the touch-line by a player who could kick the ball back into play, in any direction.[40]
The area between each goal line and their respective 20 metre lines, i.e. their own quarter, may be referred to as the "red zone".[41]
Ref's call
The decision over awarding a possible try having been referred to the video referee for examination may be passed back to the referee on the pitch to make the decision if the video is inconclusive. This rule is not used in the Northern Hemisphere.
Rooks
Someone who has great knowledge about the sport of Rugby League.
Round the corner kicking is a style of kicking used for kicking penalties and converting tries.
Ruck
The ruck is located between the player playing-the-ball and the defending marker.[15] The ruck exists during the time between a tackle being completed and the subsequent play-the-ball being completed.[1] The ball cannot be interfered with by the marker whilst it is in the ruck, otherwise a penalty will be issued against that player's team. A penalty is also issued against the attacking team if the player responsible for playing-the-ball, does not play it correctly.
S
Scramble
The state of the defence following a break, with players retreating in order to try to make a cover tackle or to get back onside if the attacker has already been tackled.
Second man play
A move involving a decoy runner.
Second year syndrome
Second-year syndrome, also called second-season syndrome, is where young players who, having had a successful début season, struggle in their second season. A commonly cited cause is a failure to develop playing ability further in an era of video analysis by rival teams.
Seven-tackle set
Awarded to a team when the opposition kick the ball dead in goal. The opposition get the ball back and start their set on the 20 metre line while gaining an extra tackle meaning they have seven tackles instead of the standard six.
In 1907, a group of New Zealand rugby footballers in secret organised and began a tour of Australia and Great Britain, risking sanctions such as bans from the New Zealand Rugby Union. The tour played a large role in establishing rugby league in both Australia and New Zealand and also gave birth to international rugby league.[43][44] The first game of rugby league played on New Zealand soil was an exhibition by the tourists on their return in 1908.[44]
In 1907, the New South Wales Rugby Football League was formed in a meeting at Bateman's Crystal Hotel in Sydney just five days before they were due to receive the touring New Zealanders. Players were recruited immediately to the new sport, and a schism of rugby football in Australia resulted.
Scissors move
An attempt to cause a disruption and breach in the defence of the opposing team. The attacking player carrying the ball forward will veer at an angle to their left or right, often drawing with them the defender covering them and sometimes engaging another defender by running towards them.[14] A team mate of the ball carrier will run across and forward in the other direction just behind the ball carrier, receiving a pass as they cross and then running on towards the point of the disruption in the defence.[14] Also known as a switch.
The scrum half or 'half back' (numbered 7) is the player who directs the game and is usually one of the smaller players on the pitch. The scrum half, along with the stand off, together form the "creative unit" of the team. They will control the attack, deciding with their passes how the team attacks and if, when and where the ball is kicked. This player is also responsible for making sure all the other players are in the right position for an attacking move.
Second effort
An attempt by a defending player who has made a tackle on an attacker to delay the play-the-ball by interfering with the tackled player's attempt to regain their feet. The referee will penalise the attempt if seen.
Second row
The second row forwards (numbered 11 and 12) The modern day second row is very similar to a centre and is expected to be faster, more mobile and have more skills than the prop and will play amongst the three-quarters, providing strength in attack and defence when the ball is passed out to the wings. Good second-rowers combine the skills and responsibilities of props and centres in the course of the game.
See you later
A phrase sometimes used in commentary to refer to a hand-off or fend.
Shape
Refers to the positioning of players. Most often used when talking about the positioning of attacking players when they are supporting the ball-carrier after a break. "Good shape" will usually mean the support players have succeeded in positioning themselves to either side of the player running with the ball to offer offensive passing options.
Short side
The side of the play-the-ball which has the shorter distance to the touch line.
Shot
A term used to praise a big hit on an opposing player. "Shot" can be heard by commentators when they witness a big, dominant tackle. It's a seal of approval.
Shoulder charge
A direct physical challenge formerly used by a defending player against the player with the ball. It was used by a player rather than a tackle by making contact but without use of the arms. The move was banned in 2013 and a shoulder charge now results in a penalty being awarded against the infringing player.
Show and go
The show: the player in possession of the ball will attack the defensive line with a stance and holding the ball in front of them in a way so as to create the impression that a pass to a team mate is likely to occur. The defenders may be unwilling to commit themselves to tackling the ball-carrier as to do so would could create an exploitable gap in the line should a pass be made.
The go: with indecision created in the defence, the ball carrier will sprint for a weak point in the defensive line.
Sidestep
An attempt to evade defenders by the attacking player carrying the ball. By stepping to the side, the attacking player is testing the reactions of defenders and hoping gain time and space to advance the ball.
The notional area where a player must remain for a minimum of ten minutes. In high level games, the sin bin is monitored by the fourth official.
Six-tackle rule
The six-tackle rule was introduced in 1972, modifying the rules on limited tackles, to alleviate the "disjointed" play experienced with the four-tackle rule.[18]
Sliding defence
The sliding defence requires that gaps are left at either edge of the field at the end of the defensive line, which aims to squeeze more players around the area of play. This allows the line to be at its strongest around the position of play, thus leaving the attacking side less opportunity to run through the line. Should the attacking side move the ball towards one edge of the field in an attempt to go around the defensive line, then the entire defensive line will move in that direction; this is known as sliding.
A spear tackle is a dangerous tackle in which a player is picked up by the tackler and turned so that they are upside down. The tackler then drops or drives the player into the ground often head,neck or shoulder first.
Spear tackles are particularly dangerous and have caused serious injury including spinal damage, dislocations and broken bones in the shoulder or neck. On rare occasion, even death can occur.
Spear tackles are taken very seriously by the various discipline committees and can result in lengthy playing bans.
Stand-off
The stand off, or "five-eighth", (numbered 6) is one of the most skilful players in a team, often a playmaker and likely to be a tactical kicker for the team. The stand-off will have a high level of interaction with the other playmaker positions (scrum-half, loose forward and hooker), and will usually be involved in most passing moves.
Representative series in which players are selected for the states or territories where they either first played (hence the name 'state of origin') or played the majority of their junior football. The concept mirrors international representative rules in other sports. The most prominent rugby league state of origin is New South Wales versus Queensland in Australia.
Steeden is an Australian sports good manufacturer, best known for producing rugby league footballs. Steeden has become so synonymous with rugby league that the word used as noun to describe the ball itself.
Fending is the action by the ball carrier of repelling a tackler using his arm. For the action to be legal, the ball carrier's arm must be straight before contact is made; a shove or "straight-arm smash", where the arm is extended immediately before contact or on contact, is illegal and classed as dangerous play.
Strike
Use of the foot to attempt to gain possession of the ball in the scrum.[15]
To hit an opponent with a fist. This is considered misconduct under Section 15, Law 1 (a).[8]
Obsolete Markers in the past were allowed to strike for possession of the ball when at the play-the-ball.
Strip the ball
The act of defending players removing the ball from the possession of the attacking player. This is allowed if there is only one defender in contact with the attacker (see one-on-one tackle).
Substitute
As well as the 13 players on the playing field, each team selects up to four substitutes to be available as replacements in interchanges during the game.[27]
Summer era
"Summer era" and "Super League era" are virtually synonymous terms in British rugby league for the period of time since the 1996 change to the top level of competition in the United Kingdom from being the Rugby Football League Championship, which was played to a schedule that included the winter months of November, December and January, to being Super League and played in the summer months.[45]
Summer rugby
Rugby league in the northern hemisphere, led by Britain, has gravitated increasingly towards playing in the summer rather than in the traditional winter seasons. The initial change was made by the top level of competition in the United Kingdom when Super League I launched in 1996 and played through the summer.[45] Since then the other professional tiers, as well as amateur competitions such as the Rugby League Conference, and some junior leagues have changed or been formed to play in summer. Benefits have included fewer postponed matches and a more enjoyable experience for players and spectators.[45]
Support
Players in support are putting themselves in a position to be able to assist a team mate. Effective support play is considered vital to quickly take advantage of opportunities to make ground towards the opponents' end of the field or to score.
Surrender tackle
A referee may call "Surrender!" as a player is tackled to indicate that they have judged the player in possession to have allowed themselves to be tackled by diving to the ground or by collapsing in the tackle. The referee will allow the defending team more time to release the tackled player. The intention of the player in possession is to gain an unfair advantage by having a speedy play-the-ball and resumption of play so that their team can press their advantage by reducing the amount of time available for the defending team to organise their defence. The player in possession aims to allowing the tackle to be completed on their own terms, for example their body position, letting them more easily regain their feet.
Swinging arm
Defending players may be penalised by the referee if they are caught using a swinging arm against the ball-carrier in the tackle.
The player in possession may be tackled by players on the opposing team.[36] It is not permitted to tackle or obstruct a player not in possession of the ball.[36]
A tackle is completed when the player in possession of the ball:
Is held by a defending player while the ball or ball-carrying arm are in contact with the ground.[36]
Is held by a defending player in such a way that they cannot make "further progress" and "cannot part with the ball".[36]
While being held by a defending player, makes it clear that they have "succumbed to the tackle and wish to be released in order to play the ball".[36]
Tap kick
A tap kick is a type of kick used by players at penalties or free kicks to meet the regulation that requires the ball must be kicked a visible distance before a player may pass or run with it. In a tap kick, the player momentarily releases the ball from his hands and taps it with his foot or lower leg and then quickly catches it again. The player will then generally try to run forward with the ball.
International rugby league matches with full (Test) status are called Test matches.
Threequarters
The threequarters, also known as "outside backs", consist of the wingers and centres.[27] The term "threequarters" originated as the tactics and player formations of rugby football developed in the 1880s.[22] The players positioned between the halves and the full back were known as the quarters; during the years in which it was usual for there to be three players positioned here, they were known collectively as the three quarters.[22] Later, the addition of a fourth player to the quarters became usual for teams.[22] As the formations developed, an additional player was placed between the halfback and the quarters.[22] Due to a semantic change for three quarters to mean 6/8ths, with halfback being 4/8ths, the position came to be known as the five-eighth.[22]
Touch is the area outside two touch-lines which define the sides of the playing area. As the touch-lines are not part of the playing area they are usually included as part of touch.
Touch in-goal
The part of the touch line that is inside the in-goal area. If a team causes the ball to go into touch in-goal in their own in-goal area they must perform a goal line drop-out. If a team causes the ball to go into touch in-goal in the opposing team's in-goal, the opposing team will be given an optional kick on the 20 metre line.
The touch judge is an official who monitors the touch-line and raises a flag if the ball (or player carrying it) goes into touch. Touch judges also stand behind the posts to confirm that a goal has been scored following a penalty kick or conversion of a try.
The primary method of scoring. A try is worth four points. It is scored when a player places the ball on the ground with downward pressure in the in-goal area between (and including) the goal-line and up to but not including dead ball line of the opposition's half. (As the goal posts and post protectors are also part of the goal-line, touching the ball down against the base of these is also a try.)
There is no such thing as an "own try". If a defending player grounds the ball in his own in-goal area, a goal line drop-out is awarded instead.
Try-line
Otherwise known as the goal line, so-called because a player has to cross this line to score a try.
The umbrella defence (or "up and in defence") requires that players do not spread across the entire field. The defensive line is particularly vulnerable on the edges around the wings, therefore the best defensive measure in this case is a preventive measure. That is, the aim becomes to prevent the attacking team from going to the wings or to disrupt any passes towards the edge of the field. This requires that defensive players (wingers or centres) on the edge of the defensive line move up faster than those in the middle of the line.
An up and under, also known as a "bomb", is a high short punt onto or behind the defending team. The name "up and under" describes the ball going up into the air while the attacking players rush underneath it towards where it is expected to land.
Up the jumper
A style of play intended to reduce the chance of attacking players committing errors. This is usually accomplished by limiting passes in number and risk. Often advocated for use by a team in the lead late in the match.
V
Voluntary tackle
The attacking player in possession is not allowed to "deliberately and unnecessarily" allow themselves to be tackled by falling to the ground when not held by a defender.[46] This includes times when a player has fallen on a loose ball, in these instances the player must attempt to regain their feet and continue.[46] Section 11, Law 4 of the Laws of the Game deems the voluntary tackle illegal.[46]
W
Wing
The wings or "wing three quarters" (numbered 2 and 5) are normally the fastest players in a team and play on the far left and right fringes of the field (the wings). Their main task is to receive passes and score tries. The wingers also drop back on the last tackle to cover the left and right sides of the field for kicks while the full back covers the middle.
Z
Zam-buk (obsolete)
Zam-Buk, or zambuk, was a skin-dressing sold in chemists and used by ambulance-men and first aiders at rugby league matches on injured players from the 1900s.[47] In Australia and New Zealand the term was soon being used to refer to the ambulance-men and first aiders themselves.[47] The term fell into disuse in the 1970s as ambulance-men and first aiders were replaced by club trainers and others.[47]
^ abCollins, Tony (2006-04-18). Rugby League in Twentieth Century Britain (1 ed.). Routledge. pp. 113–114. ISBN978-0-415-39615-8.
^Bower, Aaron (17 September 2022). "Explaining rugby league's head injury protocol after Aidan Sezer incident". YorkshireLive. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
^ abcFagan, Sean (2007-07-12). . rl1908.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-06. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
General
RLIF (2004). (PDF). Rugby League International Federation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
de la Riviere, Richard, ed. (2009), Rugby League World, Brighouse, UK: League Publications (published August 2009), no. 340, ISSN 1466-0105 {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
Fagan, Sean (2007). Dixon, Kim (ed.). The rugby rebellion centenary edition: Pioneers of rugby league. Australia: RL1908. ISBN978-0-9757563-0-0.
March 03, 2023
glossary, rugby, league, terms, sport, rugby, league, football, accrued, considerable, amount, jargon, describe, aspects, game, many, terms, originate, from, laws, game, number, aspects, game, have, more, than, term, that, refers, them, different, terms, have,. The sport of rugby league football has accrued a considerable amount of jargon to describe aspects of the game 1 Many terms originate from the Laws of the Game 1 A number of aspects of the game have more than one term that refers to them 1 Different terms have become popularly used to describe an aspect of the game in different places with notable differences between the northern and southern hemispheres Where words in a sentence are also defined elsewhere in this glossary they appear in italics Contents 0 9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z References0 9 Edit10 metre law Every time a player is tackled all defenders apart from a maximum of two markers have to retreat 10 metres from the play the ball area 18th man A player selected as a back up to the official 17 man squad for a game The 18th man usually warms up with the team prior to a match and may be called into the team if one of the 17 players is injured or ill prior to the start of the match The term is also sometimes used informally to refer to a team s supporters and the squad number 18 may even be reserved for this purpose 20 metre restart The 20 metre line is used to re start the game in certain circumstances The phrase 20 metre re start is most commonly used to refer to an optional kick One of those options is to tap on the 20 metre line and run the ball A 20m line drop out is taken by the defending team if the ball goes dead in their in goal from any kind of penalty kick by their opponents 2 40 20 rule If a player standing no more than 40 metres away from his own try line manages to a kick a ball in general play which bounces in the field of play then goes into touch inside his opponents 20 metre area his side restart the game with a tap 20m from the touchline and level with where the ball went out of play but no closer than 10m to the defending team s goal line A EditA defender The defender in the defensive line that is immediately to the right or left of the play the ball Above the horizontal One determinant of a dangerous tackle Defenders lifting an attacking player off the ground to the point when their feet are higher than their head Lifting a player this way can be a precursor to the outlawed spear tackle Advantage Advantage is the period of time after an infringement in which the non offending side have the opportunity to gain sufficient territory or tactical opportunity to negate the need to stop the game due to the infringement The referee will signal advantage with their arm out horizontally toward the non infringing team If no tactical or territorial advantage is gained the referee will whistle and give the decision that had been delayed If sufficient advantage is gained the referee will call advantage over and play will continue The Advantage Law allows the game to flow more freely and not stop for every minor infringement Advantage line It is an imaginary line across the pitch when there is a breakdown in open play i e a play the ball scrum Advancing across the advantage line represents a gain in territory Also called the gain line Ankle tap An ankle tap also referred to as a tap tackle may be used as a last resort by a defender chasing the attacking player carrying the ball if that player is about to evade them and a conventional tackle is not possible If the defender is not able to get close enough to the ball carrier to wrap their arms around them in a conventional tackle they may still be able to dive at the other player s feet and with outstretched arm deliver a tap or hook to the player s foot or feet causing the player to stumble At speed this will often be sufficient to bring the ball carrier down and may sufficiently delay the attacker for a defender to complete the tackle or for the defending team to organise their defence Against the grain When an attacking player makes an off the ball run that goes in the opposite direction of the attack If the attacking side are passing the ball to the left edge the runner against the grain is running back into the middle of the pitch Around the corner kicking See Round the corner kickingB EditBall and all A type of tackle preventing the player who is being tackled being able to offload the ball to a team mate who might before the tackle has been completed carry on the attack This type of tackle involves preventing the player being tackled from being able to move their arms effectively Ball carrier The player in possession of the ball Ball carrying arm An instance in which a tackle can be judged to be complete is when the attacking player s ball carrying arm is touching the ground at the same time that a defending player is in contact with the attacker Ball back Main article Ball back If the ball enters touch then play is restarted by a scrum at the point where the ball left the field of play The exception is when the ball is kicked into touch without first bouncing inside the field of play on the full In this case the scrum is taken from level with the place from where the ball was kicked from The ball is given back to the team who did not kick it out of bounds ball back is waived in certain circumstances If a side elects to kick a penalty into touchBanana kick A medium range kick performed in general play that goes to off to the side of the kicker rather than in front for chasers further afield The aim of the banana kick is to be less predictable than conventional kicks and is named such thus as the rise and fall of the ball is in a curve like that of a banana Biff Fighting Bend the line The ball carrier takes a strong carry by putting the defenders on the back foot and therefore bending the defensive line Black dot The underside of the crossbar connecting the goal posts will have a marking on it in the centre usually black in colour that is referred to as the black dot 3 The black dot can be used as an aid to kickers with their aiming A player scoring a try in the centre of the goal line or in goal that is beneath the posts might be said to have scored under the black dot Blindside The narrow side of the pitch in relation to a scrum or a play the ball the opposite of openside Blood replacement obsolete See InterchangeBomb See Bomb kick Break A breach of the line of defenders by the player in possession of the ball on the attacking team Bridging obsolete Bridging refers to a team linking or binding players together at the play the ball into a scrum like formation 4 Broken time obsolete Broken time payments compensated players for the time they missed from work due to their rugby playing commitments The use of these payments was one of the issues that led to the schism of rugby football in England Broken time payments were the original player payment system of the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895 Bust A bust or tackle bust is when a player breaks through an attempted tackle Bumper bars When the ball carrier runs into contact and uses their forearms to initiate contact with the defenders protecting the ball in the process C Edit Cannonball A dangerous tackle in which a defender attacks the legs of a stationary standing player who is being held upright by other tacklers 5 Caution See team warningCentre The centres or centre three quarters numbered 4 and 5 are positioned one in from the wings and together complete what is known as the three quarter line They are divided into left and right centres Usually the best mixture of power and vision their main role is to try to create attacking opportunities for their team and defend those of the opposition Along with the wingers the centres score plenty of tries throughout a season Changeover Another term for handover Charge down The blocking of an attacker s kick as it rises from the foot Done with outstretched arms and hands this is not a knock on 6 Checkside punt Main article Checkside puntChicken wing A shoulder lock wrestling technique often used to slow down the play the ball that places undue pressure on joints of players 7 It is punishable under Section 15 Law 1 i of the Laws of the Game as it is deemed contrary to the true spirit of the game 7 8 Club call A feature of the Super League play offs between 2009 and 2014 in which the highest ranked team from the regular season table to win their match in the first week of the play offs was able to select their opponents for their next game a qualifying semi final in week three from the teams that won their preliminary semi final in week two 9 Completion rate The percentage of times in possession that a team holds the ball for a full set of six tackles Conversion See also Try rugby Conversion If a team scores a try they have an opportunity to convert it for two further points by kicking the ball between the posts and above the crossbar that is through the goal The kick is taken at any point on the field of play in line with the point that the ball was grounded for the try parallel to the touch lines So it is advantageous to score a try nearer to the posts as it is easier to convert it The kick can be either a drop kick or a place kick Cover defence The attempt to tackle an attacker who has breached the main line of defenders Crash ball Main article Crash ball It is an attacking tactic where a player receives a pass at pace and runs directly at the opposition s defensive line The crash ball runner attempts to commit two or more opposing players to the tackle then attempts to make the ball available to team mates by off loading in the tackle or recycling the ball quickly from the ruck By committing players to the tackle the crash ball runner creates holes in the opposition s defense thereby creating attacking opportunities for team mates Crash tackle Another name for the crash ball Crusher tackle A dangerous tackle in which a grounded player s chin is forced down towards his torso 5 Cut out pass Sometimes referred to as a cut out ball face ball or face pass the ball is passed by an attacking player across the front of one of their team mates and caught by a team mate positioned further away This pass may be used to move the ball more speedily away from defenders who are closing in and likely to be focussing on the player who is cut out D Edit Dead The ball is deemed to be dead if it goes out of play beyond the dead ball line Dead ball line A boundary located at each end of the playing field The dead ball line is out of play Differential penalty A penalty that may not be kicked for goal by the team to which it is awarded 10 This kind of penalty is awarded when technical rule breaches i e not foul play or obscene language are committed during the time a scrum exists 11 A differential penalty can be award against any player whether in the scrum or outside 11 In 2023 the RFL modified the rule to make penalties for scrum offences non differential 12 Dominant tackle A referee may call Dominant as a player is tackled to indicate the dominance of the defender over the attacking player in possession during the contact between them at the tackle A dominant tackle is judged to be when the defender makes contact and drives the attacker back in one movement The dominant tackle call rewards good technique and allows the defender extra time before the attacker must be released to be allowed to play the ball Don t Argue A hand off that results in the defender getting floored and the attacker continuing their run Double movement An illegal movement in the attempt to score a try An attacking player whose momentum does not allow the ball to reach the try line or in goal after their ball carrying arm touches the ground may not reach out to score if a defender is in contact with them this is disallowed by interpretation as a double movement Downward pressure Downward pressure is one of the several criteria that needs to be met for a try to be awarded by the referee Drop goal Main article Drop goal A drop goal is scored when a player kicks the ball from hand through the opposition s goal but the ball must touch the ground between being dropped and kicked It is worth one point The team awarded a free kick cannot score a dropped goal until the ball next becomes dead or until an opponent has played or touched it or has tackled the ball carrier Drop kick Main article Drop kick A drop kick is when a player kicks the ball from hand and the ball touches the ground between being dropped and kicked If a drop kick goes through a goal then it results in a drop goal Drop out Drop out may refer to the following ways of bringing the ball back into play 13 Goal line drop out from the goal line A drop out from the 20 metre line Dummy pass An offensive ruse where the ball carrier moves as if to pass the ball to a team mate but then continues to run with the ball himself the objective is to trick defenders into marking the would be pass receiver creating a gap for the ball carrier to run into 14 Dummy runner Another offensive tactic a player on the attacking team runs towards the opposition as if running onto a pass only for the ball to be passed to another player carried on by the ball carrier or kicked forwards As with a dummy pass this tactic draws defenders away from the ball and creates space for the attacking team Also called a decoy runner Dump tackle Main article Dump tackle It is a tackling technique The tackler wraps his arms around the ball carrier s thighs and lifts him a short distance in the air before forcibly driving him to the ground The tackler must go to ground with the ball carrier for the tackle to be legal This technique is useful to completely stop the opponent in his tracks A dump tackle which drops the ball carrier on his head or neck is known as a spear tackle and will almost invariably concede a penalty and possibly result in a caution for the tackler E Edit Elbows and knees The ball carrier is trying to get a quick play of the ball and to do so will aim to land on their elbows and knees meaning they can stand up quicker Engage An attacking player engages or attracts a defender or defenders with the aim of manipulating their defensive position to the advantage of the attacking team Markers are required to engage at the play the ball meaning they must be in an appropriate proximity to it F Edit Face ball See Cut out passFacial A defending player in contact with the ball carrier during or after the completion of a tackle aggressively and illegally touching the face of the ball carrier with their hand or forearm There may be different motivations for this action such as wanting to provoke a reaction from the ball carrier in order to gain a penalty attempting to establish dominance over their opponent or as a symptom of frustration Falcon Main article Falcon sport An instance of the ball coming into contact with a person s head almost always unintentionally Feed See Loose head and feedFeeding the scrum To roll the ball into the scrum 15 Technically the ball should enter the scrum via the tunnel formed by the front row forwards of the two teams binding together with both teams able to strike for the ball but a relaxed application of the rule is practised The relaxed application allows players to roll the ball more directly into their team s side of the scrum thus reducing the chances of the other team successfully striking for the ball and gaining possession of it Feeding is an ironic accusation sometimes called out by spectators of a game in response to a player taking advantage of the modern application of the rule Fend Fending is the action by the ball carrier of repelling a tackler using his arm also known as a hand off For the action to be legal the ball carrier s arm must be straight before contact is made a shove or straight arm smash where the arm is extended immediately before contact or on contact is illegal and classed as dangerous play Field goal obsolete A type of goal scored by kicking a loose ball over the cross bar and between the posts that was abolished from the Game in 1950 16 After the 1920s in Australia and New Zealand another name for drop goal 16 17 Field of play Main article Rugby league playing field The area bounded by but not including the touch lines and goal lines 13 First receiver The first man to receive the ball off the ruck i e from the dummy half Five eighth See Stand off Flat A style of attacking play characterised by a lack of depth along the line of attacking players More of the attacking team are in close proximity to defenders The attackers look to take advantage of weaknesses created if defenders cannot organise themselves and allocate defenders to where they are needed Weaknesses of this style of play include risk of passes being intercepted and a lack of speed in the attacking line Flat pass This type of pass involves the player in possession of the ball and a team mate being level when the pass is received The player about to receive the ball may be running past the ball carrier aiming for a gap in the defence with this there is a risk of committing a forward pass if the players get their timing wrong Flop An attempt by a player not involved in the completion of a tackle to delay the player in possession from getting to their feet quickly afterwards by falling on top of those involved The referee can award a penalty to the attacking team when he sees this tactic Forward pass Main article Forward pass A forward pass is deemed to have occurred when the ball travels forward relative to the player passing it 6 If the referee deems a forward pass to be accidental this results in a scrum to the opposing team 6 Deliberate forward passes identified by the referee will result in the award of a penalty 6 It is extremely rare for a referee to deem a forward pass deliberate If during a non forward pass the ball is blown or bounces forward it is not classed as a forward pass 6 Foul play A non technical breach of the rules such as a high tackle Four tackle rule obsolete The four tackle rule was in force between 1966 and 1972 18 The rule ended the situation a by product from the introduction of the play the ball in 1906 whereby teams could have a potentially unlimited number of tackles 18 19 The tackle limit was raised from four to six tackles in 1972 to alleviate disjointed play 18 Fullback The title of full back numbered 1 comes from the full back s defensive position where the player drops out of the defensive line to cover the rear from kicks and runners breaking the line They therefore usually are good ball catchers and clinical tacklers In attack the full back will typically make runs into the attack or support a runner in anticipation of a pass out of the tackle G Edit Gain line See Advantage lineGer em onside Ger em onside 20 or gerrumonside is a corruption of get them onside shouted to match officials in some northern England accents The term is used predominantly to express dissatisfaction with the distance back from the play the ball that the referee has taken the defending players Go In competitions under some authorities the referee will call Go to tell the defensive line that they may advance after an attacker has played the ball This call is intended to reduce stoppages to deal with offside offences by defenders This call may be used by the referee as part of a sequence hold go Grind When the game is tight and both sides are just trying to complete their sets and gain field position a team will try win the grind Goal Main article Goal sport A goal is scored when a player either kicks the ball through the plane bounded by the two uprights and above the crossbar A conversion or penalty goal count for 2 points and drop goals for one Goal line Two solid straight white lines one at each end stretching across the entire width of the pitch passing directly through the goal posts which defines the boundary between the field of play and the in goal As the goal line is defined as part of the in goal attacking players can score tries by placing the ball with downward pressure onto the goal line itself The base of the goal posts and post protectors are also defined to be part of the goal line The goal line is often referred to as the try line though that term does not appear in the Laws of the Game Goal line drop out Awarded when a defending player grounds the ball in his own in goal area is tackled with the ball in his own in goal area or when a defending player plays the ball dead or into touch behind his own goal line The defending team must kick the ball from their own goal line and beneath the uprights to a minimum distance of ten metres Golden point Main article Golden point The golden point a sudden death overtime system is sometimes used to resolve drawn rugby league matches Minor variations exist to this system In the National Rugby League if the scores are level at the end of 80 minutes 5 minutes are played the teams swap ends with no break and a further 5 minutes are played Any score try penalty goal or field goal in this 10 minute period secures a win for the scoring team and the game ends at that point Goose step Change in running style from a sprint to high kicking in order to slow down a defender only to sprint once defender has slowed down Grapple tackle Main article Grapple tackle A grapple tackle is a controversial tackling technique whereby the tackler attempts to impede the ball carrier by applying a choke hold like manoeuvre Although players can be penalised for its use it is difficult to enforce Great Split See 1895 SchismGrounding The act of placing the ball down correctly over the try line in order to score a try The question of whether a try was properly grounded is often key to the referee s decision to award a try or not Grub A player who is deemed dirty whether by fans or other playersGrubber kick Main article Grubber kickA type of kick which makes the ball roll and tumble across the ground producing irregular bounces making it hard for the defending team to pick up the ball without causing a knock on It gives the ball both high and low bounce and on occasions the ball can sit up in a perfect catching position dd H EditHaka Main article Haka The haka is a traditional Maori dance performed by the Kiwis the international rugby league team of New Zealand immediately prior to international matches It serves as a challenge to the opposing team The term is often used more broadly and often inaccurately to refer to any war dance performed prior to a match such as Samoa s Siva Tau Halfback See Scrum half Halfbacks See Halves Half break A situation in which a ball carrier is able to briefly get through the defensive line but is tackled before they can make a clean break Halves The halves also known as half backs and sometimes inside backs 21 are the scrum half or halfback and stand off or five eighth positions They are named thus as in 19th century rugby football they were positioned at the midpoint between the forwards and the three full backs used during that time 22 Originally known as halfway backs in the 19th century this was shortened in time 22 Hand off See Fend Handover The surrendering of the ball to the opposition after a team has been tackled the statutory number of successive times 13 After the sixth tackle is completed the handover occurs 23 If the team in possession accidentally knocks on or passes forward after the fifth tackle a handover will occur rather than the usual scrum for these breaches a handover also happens if a team kicks the ball into touch on the full after the fifth tackle 23 Before 1983 at the end of a set of tackles a scrum had been formed with loose head and feed to the team that had been defending 24 Head and feed Short for loose head and feed Head injury assessment Medical process carried out on players following any incident where concussion is suspected Any player suffering a suspected concussion during a game is immediately removed from play and must undertake a head injury assessment HIA If the HIA is passed the player is free to return to the game Failure of an HIA rules the player out from taking part in the rest of the game and the player must then follow the gradual return to play process 25 Held The referee will call held to declare a tackle completed if the ball carrier is held stationary by defenders High ball See Up and underHigh kick See Up and underHigh shot Another term for high tackle High tackleMain article High tackle A high tackle or head high tackle is a form of tackle where the tackler grasps the ball carrier above the line of the shoulders most commonly around the neck or at the line of the chin and jaw Executed violently or at speed a high tackle is potentially instantly lethal and as extremely dangerous play high tackles are a cause for penalties and yellow or red cards Hit up Australasian term for crash ball Hold In competitions under some authorities the referee will tell the defensive line that it is too soon to advance on attackers at the play the ball by calling Hold This call may be used by the referee as part of a sequence Move hold go Hooker The hooker numbered 9 is most likely to play the role of dummy half In defence the hooker usually defends in the middle of the line against the opposition s props and second rowers The hooker will be responsible for organising the defence in the middle of the field In attack as dummy half this player is responsible for starting the play from every play the ball by either passing the ball to the right player or at opportune moments running from dummy half It is vital that the hooker can pass very well Traditionally hookers hooked the ball in the scrum Hookers also make probably more tackles than any other player on the field The hooker is always involved in the play and needs to be very fit He needs to have a very good knowledge of the game and the players around him Hospital pass Main article Hospital pass A hospital pass is usually given by the player carrying the ball because they are attempting to prevent themselves being caught with the ball and tackled The pass is often made under pressure and without consideration of the situation of the player receiving the pass The player catching the ball is often stationary and already in the path of a defender thus presenting an easy target for a hard impact tackle with a good possibility of heading to said hospital I EditIn and out A running arc made by an attacking player Often attempted by fast attacking players once the main line of defending players has been breached when they are left with the last player to beat The ball carrier arcs their run further in field attempting to create indecision in the defender before turning towards the corner and attempting to reach the goal line first to score a try In goal Main article Rugby league playing field The in goal or in goal area is the scoring area extending 6 11 metres 6 6 12 yards from each goal line to each dead ball line 26 Inside backs See HalvesInterception Where a pass in an attempt to find a member of the same team is caught by a member of the opposing team Interchange Each team may make a maximum of 12 interchanges from the 13 starting players and four substitutes 27 A player sent from the field by the referee because they are bleeding may be replaced but should this happen the replacement will count as one of that team s allotted interchanges 27 Props are the most commonly interchanged players due to their frequent physical confrontations with opponents The number of interchanges allowed may differ in local competitions K EditKick in obsolete See Punt outKick off A coin is tossed and the winning captain either chooses which direction his team shall play or elects to take the kick that starts the game Both halves of the match are started with a kick off a tee from the centre point of the halfway line The kick must cross the opposition s 10 metre line unless played by a member of the receiving team The opposition are not allowed to encroach beyond the 10 metre line until the ball is kicked If the ball does not travel 10 metres goes straight into touch or goes over the dead ball line at the end of the pitch the opposing will be given a penalty at the centre After a score the game is restarted from the same place under the same restrictions with the conceding team drop kicking the ball to the scoring team Knock on It is also called a knock forward A knock on is committed when in an attempt to play at the ball a player knocks the ball towards their opponents dead ball line with their hands or arms and it touches either the ground or an opposing player 28 However the ball may be knocked back A knock on results in a scrum with the put in to the opposition apart from when a knock on is committed by a player whose team is on their last tackle when the result is a handover and apart from if the opposing team gains possession of the ball which results begins their set of tackles with a zero tackle L EditLate tackle A late tackle is a tackle executed on a player who has already passed or kicked away the ball As it is illegal to tackle a player who does not have the ball Late tackles are penalty offences referees allow a short margin of error where the tackler was already committed to the tackle and if severe or reckless may result in yellow or red cards If a late tackle occurs after a kick and a penalty is awarded the non offending team has the option of taking the penalty where the ball landed Lay a platform When Team A s forward pack are on top of team B s pack and help give field position and time for the halves Leagues club In Australia a venue in which hospitality and gaming are operated for the benefit of a rugby league club 29 30 which they control through the appointment of board members 29 In the past leagues clubs have provided funds to finance the operation of the sporting club often due to profits made from poker machines 30 In the 2000s political attacks over corporate governance led to tax changes that lessened profitability and meant clubs had to look at widening their revenue streams 30 31 Limited tackles Limited tackles were introduced in 1966 initially with a four tackle rule 18 After using their tackles the team in possession must surrender the ball to their opponents The limit would remain four until an increase to six tackles in 1972 created the six tackle rule 18 Line out obsolete Main article Line out rugby union The line out was a method used to re start play after the ball had gone into touch Players from each team would stand in a line perpendicular to the touch line and attempt to catch the ball as it was thrown into the field of play In 1897 the line out was abolished and replaced with the punt out 32 dd Line speed The speed of the defensive team in rushing forwards to meet the ball carrier from the tackle Since the defensive side must retreat 10 metres after each tackle a key aspect of defence is how much of this 10 metres they can recover before contact with the ball carrier Loose carry A referee may decide that an attacking player did not sufficiently protect their possession of the ball as they came into contact with defenders this is termed a loose carry This interpretation allows a referee to decide if they think the attacking player committed a knock on or whether the defenders stripped the ball with intent 33 34 Loose forward The loose forward numbered 13 is the only forward in the third last row of the scrum They are usually one of the fittest players on the field covering the entire field on both attacking and defending duties Typically they are big ball runners who can occasionally slot in as a passing link or kick option it is not uncommon for loose forwards to have the skills of a five eighth and to play a similar role in the team Loose head and feed A team awarded a scrum due to a mistake by the opposing team is given the loose head and feed of that scrum 35 The loose head means that the prop closest to the player who feeds the scrum puts the ball in will be a team mate In the era of fully contested scrums the loose head prop was able to exert influence on the outcome of the scrum by protecting the ball moving the scrum etc Before 1983 a scrum was formed at the end of a set of tackles but in 1983 this was changed to a handover of possession 24 M EditMcIntyre system Main article McIntyre system The McIntyre system or systems because there have been five of them is a play off system that gives an advantage to teams or competitors qualifying higher Mark The mark is the place on the field where the referee awards a penalty kick free kick or scrum 28 Marker The defending team may position up to two of their players known as marker s at the play the ball opposite the tackled player and the dummy half from the attacking team Milking The attacking player when in the ruck will fall to the floor when touched by the defender looking to earn a penalty If the referee is not conned he may shout Milking to tell the attacker get on with it Minor premiership Main article Minor premiership In several sports a minor premiership is the often unofficial award given to a team which finishes first overall in the standings after the regular season prior to commencement of the play offs Momentum rule The so called momentum rule is related to the Law on forward passes Whether a ball has been illegally passed forward is judged by its movement relative to the player passing it 6 This method of judgement is used because most passes involve the ball moving forwards relative to the ground as the players carrying it are moving towards their opponents goal line 6 Move Refers to a passage of play Often used to refer to pre planned actions The referee will call Move to order defending players to allow a tackled player to their feet Mulligrubber The mulligrubber kick is a style of kicking A mulligrubber is directed towards the ground and forced to bounce Often used in situations where either the ball needs to be placed in a specific position i e on the try line or to intentionally stop the opponent from being able to catch the ball on the full O EditObstruction Impeding any opponent who does not have the ball by tackling them or obstructing them 28 36 The referee will penalise a player obstructing an opponent A player is not required to move out of the path of another to prevent an obstruction If two players from opposing teams are running in the same direction towards a loose ball they are permitted to shoulder charge their opponent 37 Offload An offload is when a player holding the ball is tackled but passes the ball to a team mate before the tackle is completed A tackle is not considered complete until one of the following occurs the arm carrying the ball touches the ground while the player is still held by the tackler the player s forward momentum stops in other words he stops moving forward while still being held by the tackler or the referee calls held If a player passes the ball legally during a tackle in other words if he offloads the ball it does not count as a tackle in his team s current set of six and play continues normally Dual rugby league international Sonny Bill Williams is particularly famous for his offloading ability Offside Main article Offside rugby A player is considered temporarily out of play if they are offside and they might be penalised if they join the game inappropriately 28 A player is offside when they are forward of the relevant offside line i e between the relevant offside line and the opposing team s dead ball line In a match most players will be offside several times but they only become liable for penalty if they do not act to attempt to become onside which generally means retreat downfield or attempt to interfere with play In open play only the ball carrier s team or the team that last carried or deliberately touched the ball is bound by offside the offside line for them is the ball Note every player who passes the ball backwards is offside and must attempt to retire One on one tackle Main article One on one tackle One on one tackle is a colloquial phrase used to refer to a phase of play in rugby league in which a single defender attempts to tackle the ball carrier One out rugby When the dummy half passes to the first receiver who will take the ball into collision to gain metres No passing beyond the initial play of the ball and pass from dummy half occurs Onside A player is onside whenever he or she is behind the relevant offside line for the particular phase of play Players who are onside take an active part in playing the game Previously offside players may be put onside by the actions of other players for example in a kick ahead in open play players in the kicker s team in front of the kick are offside but can be put onside by the kicker or any other team member who was onside at the time of the kick running up the pitch past them So that players can be confident they are now onside and can take an active part in the game the referee may shout Onside or All onside On the full If the ball is kicked into touch without first bouncing inside the field of play it is referred to as the ball being kicked into touch on the full A player catching the ball after a kick before it bounces has caught it on the full Openside The broad side of the pitch in relation to a scrum or a play the ball Optional kick The optional kick is the instrument used to bring the ball back into play 28 38 The team taking the kick may kick the ball in any way and in any direction 28 38 Except in cases of a penalty kick being taken an optional kick is taken from the centre of the 20m line if the attacking team are the last to touch the ball before it goes over the dead ball line or touch in goal line 38 An optional kick will also be awarded if an attacking player infringes in the in goal area or if a defending player catches a kick in general play on the full while in their in goal 38 Outside backs See ThreequartersP EditPack Refers to the group of forwards of a team 28 Pack down To form a scrum 28 Parramatta Wall A set piece move with numerous variations in which attacking players stand side by side facing their own goal line while they and their teammates attempt to obscure the ball and confuse the defenders of the opposing team The move is named after the Parramatta Eels Pass A pass is to transfer a ball to a teammate by throwing it 28 Passes must not travel forward in direction from the hands of the person passing There are different varieties of pass including the flat direct spin pass the short close quarters pop pass and the floated pass a long pass which an advancing player can run onto at pace Pattern Penalty Main article Penalty rugby Penalties are awarded for serious infringements like dangerous play offside and handling the ball on the ground Penalty kick If a side commits a penalty infringement the opposition can take the option of a place kick at goal from where the infringement occurred This is called a penalty kick If successful it is worth two points Penalty try Main article Try rugby A penalty try awarded if the referee believes a team illegally prevents a probable try from being scored Penalty tries are always awarded under the posts regardless of where the offence took place dd Place kick Main article Place kick The place kick is a kicking style commonly used when kicking for goal It typically involves placing the ball on the ground To keep the ball in position a mound of sand or plastic tee is sometimes used Placer Placers are used to hold the ball in place for a kicker during a place kick attempt 39 Placers are usually only used in the modern game if weather conditions are causing the ball to move from the position it has been set in by the kicker 39 In the early years of the game when defenders could charge the ball as soon as it touched the ground a placer was permitted to be used to place the ball on the ground at the last moment 39 Play the ball Main article Playing rugby league Play the ball The play the ball is used to restart play in various instances during a game but most commonly immediately following a tackle 28 Powerplay Main article Power play sporting term Powerplay refers to the act of running the ball on the fifth tackle instead of kicking it Professional foul Main article Professional foul A professional foul is a deliberate act of foul play usually to prevent an opponent scoring Prop The props numbered 8 and 10 are normally the largest players on field they typically weigh over 15 stones 100kg in the open age senior game They are positioned in the centre of the line The prop is an enforcer dissuading the opposition from attacking the centre of the defensive line and in attack give the team momentum by taking the ball up to the defence aggressively Punt out obsolete Between 1897 and 1902 the punt out also called a kick in was an option for the method of restarting play after the ball had gone into touch the other option being a scrum 40 It replaced the line out in 1897 and was itself replaced by a scrum on the 10 yard line in 1902 32 A punt out was taken from the touch line by a player who could kick the ball back into play in any direction 40 Put in See Feeding the scrumR EditRed zone The area between each goal line and their respective 20 metre lines i e their own quarter may be referred to as the red zone 41 Ref s call The decision over awarding a possible try having been referred to the video referee for examination may be passed back to the referee on the pitch to make the decision if the video is inconclusive This rule is not used in the Northern Hemisphere Rooks Someone who has great knowledge about the sport of Rugby League Round the corner kicking Main article Round the corner kicking Round the corner kicking is a style of kicking used for kicking penalties and converting tries Ruck The ruck is located between the player playing the ball and the defending marker 15 The ruck exists during the time between a tackle being completed and the subsequent play the ball being completed 1 The ball cannot be interfered with by the marker whilst it is in the ruck otherwise a penalty will be issued against that player s team A penalty is also issued against the attacking team if the player responsible for playing the ball does not play it correctly S EditScramble The state of the defence following a break with players retreating in order to try to make a cover tackle or to get back onside if the attacker has already been tackled Second man play A move involving a decoy runner Second year syndrome Second year syndrome also called second season syndrome is where young players who having had a successful debut season struggle in their second season A commonly cited cause is a failure to develop playing ability further in an era of video analysis by rival teams Seven tackle set Awarded to a team when the opposition kick the ball dead in goal The opposition get the ball back and start their set on the 20 metre line while gaining an extra tackle meaning they have seven tackles instead of the standard six Schism Main article History of rugby league The term refers to the various splits in rugby football leading to the development of rugby league football In 1895 the schism in England also known as the Great Split 42 occurred when following a meeting at the George Hotel Huddersfield the Northern Rugby Football Union was formed by clubs breaking away from the rugby union establishment In 1907 a group of New Zealand rugby footballers in secret organised and began a tour of Australia and Great Britain risking sanctions such as bans from the New Zealand Rugby Union The tour played a large role in establishing rugby league in both Australia and New Zealand and also gave birth to international rugby league 43 44 The first game of rugby league played on New Zealand soil was an exhibition by the tourists on their return in 1908 44 In 1907 the New South Wales Rugby Football League was formed in a meeting at Bateman s Crystal Hotel in Sydney just five days before they were due to receive the touring New Zealanders Players were recruited immediately to the new sport and a schism of rugby football in Australia resulted Scissors move An attempt to cause a disruption and breach in the defence of the opposing team The attacking player carrying the ball forward will veer at an angle to their left or right often drawing with them the defender covering them and sometimes engaging another defender by running towards them 14 A team mate of the ball carrier will run across and forward in the other direction just behind the ball carrier receiving a pass as they cross and then running on towards the point of the disruption in the defence 14 Also known as a switch Scrum Main article Scrum rugby Scrum half The scrum half or half back numbered 7 is the player who directs the game and is usually one of the smaller players on the pitch The scrum half along with the stand off together form the creative unit of the team They will control the attack deciding with their passes how the team attacks and if when and where the ball is kicked This player is also responsible for making sure all the other players are in the right position for an attacking move Second effort An attempt by a defending player who has made a tackle on an attacker to delay the play the ball by interfering with the tackled player s attempt to regain their feet The referee will penalise the attempt if seen Second row The second row forwards numbered 11 and 12 The modern day second row is very similar to a centre and is expected to be faster more mobile and have more skills than the prop and will play amongst the three quarters providing strength in attack and defence when the ball is passed out to the wings Good second rowers combine the skills and responsibilities of props and centres in the course of the game See you later A phrase sometimes used in commentary to refer to a hand off or fend Shape Refers to the positioning of players Most often used when talking about the positioning of attacking players when they are supporting the ball carrier after a break Good shape will usually mean the support players have succeeded in positioning themselves to either side of the player running with the ball to offer offensive passing options Short side The side of the play the ball which has the shorter distance to the touch line Shot A term used to praise a big hit on an opposing player Shot can be heard by commentators when they witness a big dominant tackle It s a seal of approval Shoulder charge A direct physical challenge formerly used by a defending player against the player with the ball It was used by a player rather than a tackle by making contact but without use of the arms The move was banned in 2013 and a shoulder charge now results in a penalty being awarded against the infringing player dd Show and go The show the player in possession of the ball will attack the defensive line with a stance and holding the ball in front of them in a way so as to create the impression that a pass to a team mate is likely to occur The defenders may be unwilling to commit themselves to tackling the ball carrier as to do so would could create an exploitable gap in the line should a pass be made The go with indecision created in the defence the ball carrier will sprint for a weak point in the defensive line Sidestep An attempt to evade defenders by the attacking player carrying the ball By stepping to the side the attacking player is testing the reactions of defenders and hoping gain time and space to advance the ball Sin bin Main article Penalty box The notional area where a player must remain for a minimum of ten minutes In high level games the sin bin is monitored by the fourth official Six tackle rule The six tackle rule was introduced in 1972 modifying the rules on limited tackles to alleviate the disjointed play experienced with the four tackle rule 18 Sliding defence The sliding defence requires that gaps are left at either edge of the field at the end of the defensive line which aims to squeeze more players around the area of play This allows the line to be at its strongest around the position of play thus leaving the attacking side less opportunity to run through the line Should the attacking side move the ball towards one edge of the field in an attempt to go around the defensive line then the entire defensive line will move in that direction this is known as sliding Spear tackle Main article Spear tackle A spear tackle is a dangerous tackle in which a player is picked up by the tackler and turned so that they are upside down The tackler then drops or drives the player into the ground often head neck or shoulder first Spear tackles are particularly dangerous and have caused serious injury including spinal damage dislocations and broken bones in the shoulder or neck On rare occasion even death can occur Spear tackles are taken very seriously by the various discipline committees and can result in lengthy playing bans Stand off The stand off or five eighth numbered 6 is one of the most skilful players in a team often a playmaker and likely to be a tactical kicker for the team The stand off will have a high level of interaction with the other playmaker positions scrum half loose forward and hooker and will usually be involved in most passing moves State of Origin Main article Rugby League State of Origin Representative series in which players are selected for the states or territories where they either first played hence the name state of origin or played the majority of their junior football The concept mirrors international representative rules in other sports The most prominent rugby league state of origin is New South Wales versus Queensland in Australia Steeden Main article Steeden Steeden is an Australian sports good manufacturer best known for producing rugby league footballs Steeden has become so synonymous with rugby league that the word used as noun to describe the ball itself Stiff arm fend Main article Stiff arm fend Fending is the action by the ball carrier of repelling a tackler using his arm For the action to be legal the ball carrier s arm must be straight before contact is made a shove or straight arm smash where the arm is extended immediately before contact or on contact is illegal and classed as dangerous play Strike Use of the foot to attempt to gain possession of the ball in the scrum 15 To hit an opponent with a fist This is considered misconduct under Section 15 Law 1 a 8 Obsolete Markers in the past were allowed to strike for possession of the ball when at the play the ball Strip the ball The act of defending players removing the ball from the possession of the attacking player This is allowed if there is only one defender in contact with the attacker see one on one tackle Substitute As well as the 13 players on the playing field each team selects up to four substitutes to be available as replacements in interchanges during the game 27 Summer era Summer era and Super League era are virtually synonymous terms in British rugby league for the period of time since the 1996 change to the top level of competition in the United Kingdom from being the Rugby Football League Championship which was played to a schedule that included the winter months of November December and January to being Super League and played in the summer months 45 Summer rugby Rugby league in the northern hemisphere led by Britain has gravitated increasingly towards playing in the summer rather than in the traditional winter seasons The initial change was made by the top level of competition in the United Kingdom when Super League I launched in 1996 and played through the summer 45 Since then the other professional tiers as well as amateur competitions such as the Rugby League Conference and some junior leagues have changed or been formed to play in summer Benefits have included fewer postponed matches and a more enjoyable experience for players and spectators 45 Support Players in support are putting themselves in a position to be able to assist a team mate Effective support play is considered vital to quickly take advantage of opportunities to make ground towards the opponents end of the field or to score Surrender tackle A referee may call Surrender as a player is tackled to indicate that they have judged the player in possession to have allowed themselves to be tackled by diving to the ground or by collapsing in the tackle The referee will allow the defending team more time to release the tackled player The intention of the player in possession is to gain an unfair advantage by having a speedy play the ball and resumption of play so that their team can press their advantage by reducing the amount of time available for the defending team to organise their defence The player in possession aims to allowing the tackle to be completed on their own terms for example their body position letting them more easily regain their feet Swinging arm Defending players may be penalised by the referee if they are caught using a swinging arm against the ball carrier in the tackle T EditTackle Main article Tackle football move The player in possession may be tackled by players on the opposing team 36 It is not permitted to tackle or obstruct a player not in possession of the ball 36 A tackle is completed when the player in possession of the ball Is held by a defending player while the ball or ball carrying arm are in contact with the ground 36 Is held by a defending player in such a way that they cannot make further progress and cannot part with the ball 36 While being held by a defending player makes it clear that they have succumbed to the tackle and wish to be released in order to play the ball 36 Tap kick A tap kick is a type of kick used by players at penalties or free kicks to meet the regulation that requires the ball must be kicked a visible distance before a player may pass or run with it In a tap kick the player momentarily releases the ball from his hands and taps it with his foot or lower leg and then quickly catches it again The player will then generally try to run forward with the ball Tap tackle Another term for Ankle tap Test match Main article Test match rugby league International rugby league matches with full Test status are called Test matches Threequarters The threequarters also known as outside backs consist of the wingers and centres 27 The term threequarters originated as the tactics and player formations of rugby football developed in the 1880s 22 The players positioned between the halves and the full back were known as the quarters during the years in which it was usual for there to be three players positioned here they were known collectively as the three quarters 22 Later the addition of a fourth player to the quarters became usual for teams 22 As the formations developed an additional player was placed between the halfback and the quarters 22 Due to a semantic change for three quarters to mean 6 8ths with halfback being 4 8ths the position came to be known as the five eighth 22 Touch Main article Rugby league playing field Touch is the area outside two touch lines which define the sides of the playing area As the touch lines are not part of the playing area they are usually included as part of touch Touch in goal The part of the touch line that is inside the in goal area If a team causes the ball to go into touch in goal in their own in goal area they must perform a goal line drop out If a team causes the ball to go into touch in goal in the opposing team s in goal the opposing team will be given an optional kick on the 20 metre line Touch judge Main article Touch judge The touch judge is an official who monitors the touch line and raises a flag if the ball or player carrying it goes into touch Touch judges also stand behind the posts to confirm that a goal has been scored following a penalty kick or conversion of a try Try Main article Try rugby The primary method of scoring A try is worth four points It is scored when a player places the ball on the ground with downward pressure in the in goal area between and including the goal line and up to but not including dead ball line of the opposition s half As the goal posts and post protectors are also part of the goal line touching the ball down against the base of these is also a try There is no such thing as an own try If a defending player grounds the ball in his own in goal area a goal line drop out is awarded instead Try line Otherwise known as the goal line so called because a player has to cross this line to score a try Turnover Another term for handover U EditUmbrella defence The umbrella defence or up and in defence requires that players do not spread across the entire field The defensive line is particularly vulnerable on the edges around the wings therefore the best defensive measure in this case is a preventive measure That is the aim becomes to prevent the attacking team from going to the wings or to disrupt any passes towards the edge of the field This requires that defensive players wingers or centres on the edge of the defensive line move up faster than those in the middle of the line Up and in defence See Umbrella defenceUp and under Main article Bomb kick An up and under also known as a bomb is a high short punt onto or behind the defending team The name up and under describes the ball going up into the air while the attacking players rush underneath it towards where it is expected to land Up the jumper A style of play intended to reduce the chance of attacking players committing errors This is usually accomplished by limiting passes in number and risk Often advocated for use by a team in the lead late in the match V EditVoluntary tackle The attacking player in possession is not allowed to deliberately and unnecessarily allow themselves to be tackled by falling to the ground when not held by a defender 46 This includes times when a player has fallen on a loose ball in these instances the player must attempt to regain their feet and continue 46 Section 11 Law 4 of the Laws of the Game deems the voluntary tackle illegal 46 W EditWing The wings or wing three quarters numbered 2 and 5 are normally the fastest players in a team and play on the far left and right fringes of the field the wings Their main task is to receive passes and score tries The wingers also drop back on the last tackle to cover the left and right sides of the field for kicks while the full back covers the middle Z EditZam buk obsolete Zam Buk or zambuk was a skin dressing sold in chemists and used by ambulance men and first aiders at rugby league matches on injured players from the 1900s 47 In Australia and New Zealand the term was soon being used to refer to the ambulance men and first aiders themselves 47 The term fell into disuse in the 1970s as ambulance men and first aiders were replaced by club trainers and others 47 Contents Top 0 9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZReferences EditIn line Edit a b c d Glossary of RL terms Play Rugby Football League Archived from the original on 2007 10 08 Retrieved 21 March 2010 RLIF 2004 19 Balym Todd 2009 05 19 Rabbitohs two points safe despite 14th man Sandow The Canberra Times Archived from the original on 2009 09 22 Retrieved 2009 10 23 Bridging to be barred Sydney Morning Herald Sydney 1952 03 13 p 8 Archived from the original on 2010 03 20 Retrieved 20 March 2010 a b NRL to launch dangerous tackle crackdown targeting crusher and cannonball tackles a b c d e f g RLIF 2004 22 a b RFL Case number ON 89 09 Disciplinary Rugby Football League Archived from the original on 2010 01 29 Retrieved 2009 07 30 a b RLIF 2004 38 Super League 2009 09 09 All to play for as Super League gears up for Club Call Super League Archived from the original on 2012 08 25 Retrieved 2009 09 11 Williams Daniel 1992 12 11 NSW to try new scrum rule next season The Sydney Morning Herald p 38 Archived from the original on 2012 04 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e f RLIF 2004 23 RLIF 2004 11 a b c d RLIF 2004 18 a b c Fagan Sean 2008 04 01 Kicking goals The lost art rl1908 com Archived from the original on 2010 09 24 Retrieved 12 January 2010 a b Fagan 2007 351 Spillane Debbie 1993 04 17 No face balls in red zone The Sun Herald Fairfax Digital p 54 Retrieved 2009 10 06 Fagan Sean 2004 04 24 Product review Rugby s Great Split rl1908 com Retrieved 2009 10 07 Coffey John Wood Bernie 2007 The Kiwis 100 Years of International Rugby League HLNZ Sport Hardback ISBN 978 1 86971 090 3 a b Wiki To Captain All Golds Prince Jones and Vagana to play NZRL Press Release 3 October 2007 Accessed 2009 08 09 Archived 2009 08 11 a b c Slater Gary 2008 03 17 Thank heaven for summer rugby Telegraph Archived from the original on 2012 10 07 Retrieved 5 December 2009 a b c RLIF 2004 24 a b c Fagan Sean 2007 07 12 Tracking Down The Zam Buk rl1908 com Archived from the original on 2010 11 06 Retrieved 2009 12 22 General Edit RLIF 2004 The International Laws of the Game and Notes on the Laws PDF Rugby League International Federation Archived from the original PDF on 2009 03 26 Retrieved 2008 07 30 de la Riviere Richard ed 2009 Rugby League World Brighouse UK League Publications published August 2009 no 340 ISSN 1466 0105 a href Template Citation html title Template Citation citation a Missing or empty title help Fagan Sean 2007 Dixon Kim ed The rugby rebellion centenary edition Pioneers of rugby league Australia RL1908 ISBN 978 0 9757563 0 0 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Glossary of rugby league terms amp oldid 1141734235 leagues clubs, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
