The simple description of rugby that is thrown around frequently is that it is "just football without the pads." In reality, rugby is much more complex than that. In fact, American Football is actually derived from rugby, so maybe we should be calling it "rugby with helmets."

In rugby, any player may handle the ball, but no one is allowed to pass it forward. However, players are allowed to kick the ball forward if strategy calls for it. And unlike football, there is no blocking of any sort in rugby. If a player has possession of the ball, she must be ahead of her teammates in the field of play.

There are no downs. When a tackle is made, play continues until a penalty is called, the ball goes out of bounds, or the half ends. Since rugby is continuous, all players must be skilled in both offensive and defensive strategy. There are no temporary substitutions.

Each team has fifteen players who remain on the field for the duration of the game. Positions are divided into two classes: forwards and backs. Players numbers 1-8 are the forwards, or the pack, who during the game must drive the ball forward, gain or retain possession, and get the ball out to the backs, numbered 9-15, who perform different kinds of passing plays. Games are eighty minutes long, split into two forty minute halves. Women's rugby is the only sport with rules that are exactly the same as its men's counterpart.