There are many rules and laws that are associated with the game of rugby league. However, this section of the website will only discuss the most common, but unclear rules as there are just too many.
Over the decades, the rules of Rugby League have changed continuously. Many rules have been altered in an attempt to even the competition and to limit the dominance some teams have. For example, field goals used to be 2 points and one player was so skilled at kicking them, they changed its value to 1 point.
There is two halves of football with each half lasting 40 minutes. The referee controls when time is on and off. Usually when the ball is out of play, the referee will blow the whistle and time is stopped. Time will resume when the ball is back in the field of play and a team is ready to play the ball.
Each team gets a set of six tackles. Once a team has been tackled with the ball six times, it is a turnover, and the other team gets the ball from the last ball’s position. During a set of six, a team can choose to kick it, which is most commonly on the fifth tackle.
Any tackles that make contact with the head is deemed dangerous, and can warrant a penalty of send off. Likewise, a lifting tackle where a player is tilted in a dangerous angle or on their head can also be punished.
The defending team must always be 10m in front of the play-the-ball.
Each team is allowed only 13 players on the field at any one time. There are 4 players that can be used as interchanges, and players can be interchanged 10 times throughout a match.
Try - A try is worth four points.
Goal - A conversion goal or a penalty goal is worth two points.
Field Goal - A field goal during play counts for one point.
