Top 50+ Rugby Terms for Analysing Games
If you are new to the game of rugby or are looking to improve a basic understanding of the game, RugbySmarts have a Rugby Analysis Beginner Series to help advance your knowledge of the sport. To make the most of using AI-driven rugby analysis software like RugbySmarts, it helps to have a foundational understanding of the terminology used in the game.
Analyzing the game of rugby involves understanding the lingo – a range of terms that cover various aspects of play including attacking & defensive strategies, passing, tackling scoring. In this article, we take a look at some of the most commonly used terms in rugby … and some less common phrases and buzz terms that you will hear along the way.
50+ Commonly Used Rugby Terms & Lingo
Outlined below are more than 50 of the most frequently used buzzwords in rugby union lingo in alphabetical (A-z) order.
1 Advantage
A rule allowing play to continue if a team has suffered an infringement but can still benefit from keeping the play alive without a stoppage from the referee.
2 Blindside
This is side of the field opposite to where the scrum-half stands during a scrum; also, generally the narrower side of the pitch containing fewer players.
3 Blitz defence
Defensive strategy with aggressive rushing to disrupt attacking plays.
4 Bonus Point
Designed to encourage attacking play, bonus points are awarded in league format tournaments for scoring at least 4 tries per game or losing a game by less than a preset margin (e.g. 7 points).
5 Breakdown
The general area around a tackled player where rucks and mauls occur.
6 Bridge Defence
Defensive strategy where players create a barrier to prevent attackers from breaking through.
7 Conversion
Kick taken after a try, aimed at adding two points by slotting the ball between the goalposts.
8 Corkscrew Kick
High spinning kick, used for tactical purposes such as forcing a lineout deep in the opponent’s territory.
9 Counter-Attack
Quick offensive play initiated by the defending team after gaining possession.
10 Crash Tackle
This is an attacking tactical move where a player receives the ball at speed and runs directly at the opposing team aiming to break the defensive line but also attempting to draw in opposing players to make a tackle, creating space for other attacking team-mates to break the defensive line.
11 Counter-Rucking
Defensive players aggressively competing at the breakdown to disrupt the attacking team’s possession.
12 Dogleg Defence
Defensive flaw with a misalignment in the defensive line, creating gaps for attacking team players to exploit.
13 Draw and Pass
Manouevre where a player draws in defenders before passing to a team-mate in a better position.
14 Drift Defence
Defensive strategy where players move laterally to cover space and prevent exploitation.
15 Drop Goal
Method of scoring worth three points, drop-kicking the ball through the goalposts during open play.
16 Dummy Pass
Deceptive pass where a player pretends to distribute the ball to a dummy runner but keeps possession.
17 Dummy Runner
An attacking player runs towards the opposition as though preparing to receive a pass, drawing defensive players towards him/her as a diversion for the real attack
18 Exit Strategy
Planned approach to move the ball out of the defensive zone and relieve pressure.
19 Fracture Point
Area in the defensive line where attackers aim to create a gap or exploit a weakness.
20 Gain Line
This is an imaginary line across the field which starting at the position the previous play started from. The aim of attacking coaching strategy is to surpass the gain line with each play, whereas defence coaches will focus on minimising gains.
21 Garryowen
Named after Garryowen FC in Limerick, Ireland and also known as an up-and-under, this is a high, contestable kick, often used in attacking situations to try to regain possession further up the field.
22 Green Zone
Area of the field close to the opponent’s try line, associated with high-scoring opportunities.
23 Grubber Kick
Low, bouncing kick along the ground, used for territory or catching opponents off guard.
24 Grubber Kick Chase
Intentional pursuit of a grubber kick by attacking players to regain possession or pressure the opponent.
25 Illegal Wheeling
If the scrum pack is weaker on one side than the other and losing ground to the opposing pack, causing the scrum to turn or wheel. This is considered dangerous
26 In-Field Decision Making
Ability of players to make effective decisions during live play based on the game situation.
27 In-Field Vision
Ability of players to assess the playing field, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions.
28 Infield Kick
Kick directed towards the center of the field to regain possession or create a contestable situation.
29 Knock-On
When the ball goes forward as a result of lost possession, or when a player hits the ball forward with the hand or arm (either deliberately or accidentally) and the ball touches the ground or another player before the player who lost possession can recover the ball.
30 Lineout
A set piece where players compete to catch the ball thrown in from the sideline by the hooker of the attacking team.
31 Line Speed
This is the pace at which the defensive line runs towards the attacking team once the ball is played out from a set piece or breakdown
32 Maul
Similar to a ruck but involves players binding onto a ball carrier on their feet.
33 Offload
Offloading the ball is when a tackled player manages to release the ball to a team-mate to maintain attacking momentum despite the pressure and constraints of the arriving tackle.
34 Open Side
This is the side of the field opposite to the blindside during a set piece.
35 Overlap
Situation where a team has more players on one side of the field than the opposition, creating opportunities for attack.
36 Pack
The pack (or forward pack) involves up to 8 forward players (numbers 1 – 8) from either team who contest a scrum.
37 Penalty
A punishment awarded for an opponent’s infringement, often resulting in a kick.
38 Phase Efficiency
Effectiveness in maintaining possession and advancing through consecutive phases.
39 Phase Play
Consecutive set of plays including passes, rucks, and mauls.
40 Pillar Defence
Defensive strategy where players position near the breakdown, forming a strong foundation.
41 Pincer Movement
Tactical manoeuvre where attackers approach the defence from two or more directions, creating confusion.
42 Pod Split
Breaking a pod (group of players) into different directions to stretch the opposition’s defence.
43 Red Zone
Area of the field close to the opponent’s try line, considered a critical scoring zone.
44 Ruck
A phase of play where players compete for the ball on the ground after a tackle.
45 Scrum
A set piece involving the forward ‘pack’ from each team contesting for possession. This is done by binding together and interlocking with the opposing teams front row.
46 Second Phase
Attack Continuation of an attacking play beyond the initial phase, often involving quick ball recycling and offloading.
47 Switch Play
Tactical manoeuvre changing the direction of play quickly from one side of the field to the other.
48 Switchback
Deceptive play where the direction of attack is reversed quickly, catching the opposition off guard.
49 Trucking
Act of a ball carrier driving forward with support from teammates to gain ground in contact situations.
50 Truck & Trailer
This the tactic of moving the ball to the player at the back of the maul before contact is made with the defence.
51 Try
A five point score for touching the ball down behind the opponents goal line.
52 Weakside
Side of the field with fewer players, often targeted by attackers to exploit numerical advantages.
53 Wraparound
Tactical move where a player passes and runs behind the receiver to create confusion.
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There you have it, over 50 of the most commonly used phrases and buzz words in rugby union.
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