A “try” is a method of scoring points and is one of the primary ways to score in the game. When a player successfully grounds the ball in the opposition’s in-goal area (the area behind the opponent’s try line), it is considered a try. The player must have control of the ball and touch it to the ground with downward pressure.
Here’s how it works:
Attacking Team: When a team is in possession of the ball and advances towards their opponent’s try line, they are considered the attacking team.
In-Goal Area: The in-goal area is the section of the field between the try line (the line marking the end of the field) and the dead ball line (the boundary of the field). It is the area where the try is scored.
Scoring: To score a try, a player from the attacking team must carry, pass, or kick the ball into the opposition’s in-goal area and then ground it with control. This means they must place the ball on the ground while still having control over it, usually by pressing it against the ground with their hand.
Value: A try is worth five points.
Conversion: After scoring a try, the attacking team is awarded an opportunity to attempt a conversion kick. The conversion is a kick taken from a spot perpendicular to where the try was scored. If the kick is successful and the ball goes through the opponent’s goalposts, the team scores an additional two points.
Restart: After a try has been scored and any potential conversion attempt is completed, the game restarts with a drop-kick from the center of the field.
Tries are an essential part of rugby and often signify exciting moments in a match as they require skill, speed, and teamwork to execute successfully.
Why is a rugby try called a try?
The term “try” in rugby has an interesting historical origin. It dates back to the 19th century when rugby was still in its early stages of development. During this time, the scoring system in rugby was different from what we know today.
In the early days of rugby, scoring a try did not earn the team any points directly. Instead, it provided them with an opportunity to try a kick at goal. If successful, the team would earn a “try” at a goal, and they were then allowed to attempt a conversion kick from a spot perpendicular to where the try was touched down.
This practice was derived from the sport’s predecessor, association football (soccer), where the act of scoring was originally referred to as a “try at goal.” In those days, a goal was awarded when the ball was kicked between the posts, and the term “try” emphasized the attempt at a goal.
Over time, rugby’s scoring system evolved, and the try itself became a significant scoring method. The act of touching the ball down behind the opponent’s goal line with control became the primary way to score points in rugby, initially worth three points and later increased to five points.
Although the scoring system changed, the term “try” persisted, and it continues to be used in modern rugby to describe the act of scoring a five-point try. So, the name “try” in rugby is a historical remnant of its early scoring traditions and a testament to the sport’s rich history and evolution over time.
How many points is 1 try in rugby?
In rugby, scoring 1 try is worth 5 points. When a player successfully grounds the ball in the opposition’s in-goal area (the area behind the opponent’s try line) with control, it is considered a try. The team that scores the try is awarded 5 points on the scoreboard.
After scoring a try, the attacking team also has the opportunity to attempt a conversion kick. If the conversion kick is successful and the ball goes through the opponent’s goalposts, the team earns an additional 2 points, bringing the total points for the try to 7 (5 points for the try + 2 points for the conversion).
So, a try alone is worth 5 points in rugby, and with a successful conversion kick, it becomes 7 points.
What is a try and conversion in rugby?
In rugby, a “try” and a “conversion” are two related aspects of scoring points during a match.
Try:
A try is one of the methods of scoring in rugby. It occurs when a player from the attacking team successfully grounds the ball with downward pressure in the opposition’s in-goal area (the area behind the opponent’s try line). To score a try, the player must have control of the ball while touching it to the ground within the in-goal area. A try is worth 5 points on the scoreboard.
Conversion:
After a try has been scored, the attacking team is awarded an opportunity to attempt a conversion kick. The conversion kick is taken from a spot perpendicular to where the try was scored. The purpose of the conversion kick is to add extra points to the try. If the conversion kick is successful and the ball goes through the opponent’s goalposts, the team earns 2 additional points. However, if the kick is missed or goes wide of the posts, no extra points are awarded.
Here’s the scoring breakdown:
Try: 5 points
Conversion (successful kick): 2 points
So, when a try is scored and the conversion is successful, the attacking team earns a total of 7 points (5 points for the try + 2 points for the conversion) for that particular scoring play. If the conversion is missed, the try is still worth 5 points alone.
FAQ’s
How is a try different from a touchdown in American football?
While both a try in rugby and a touchdown in American football involve scoring by crossing the opponent’s goal line, there are significant differences. In rugby, a try is worth five points, and the ball must be physically grounded with downward pressure in the in-goal area. In American football, a touchdown is worth six points, and the player only needs to cross the goal line with possession of the ball to score.
Can any player on the team attempt to score a try in rugby?
Yes, any player on the attacking team can attempt to score a try. In fact, tries can be scored by players in various positions, including forwards and backs. However, backs (players usually positioned farther from the scrums and lineouts) tend to score more tries due to their speed and agility.
What happens if the player drops the ball while trying to ground it for a try?
If a player drops the ball while attempting to ground it for a try, the try is not awarded. The player must maintain control of the ball and ensure it is pressed to the ground with downward pressure to score the try.
Can a try be scored from any part of the field?
A try can be scored from anywhere on the field as long as the attacking team successfully carries, passes, or kicks the ball into the opposition’s in-goal area and grounds it with control. The try line is the boundary for the in-goal area, so the ball must be grounded within this area to count as a try.
What happens if a defender manages to hold the ball up and prevent the attacking player from grounding it during a try attempt?
If a defender manages to hold the ball up and prevent the attacking player from grounding it during a try attempt, it results in a “held-up” situation. In this case, the attacking team does not score the try, and the defending team is awarded a defensive scrum from five meters out.
Can a try be scored by touching the ball down with the foot or any other body part besides the hand?
Yes, a try can be scored by touching the ball down with any part of the body, as long as the player has control and downward pressure on the ball. While using the hand is most common, players can use other body parts to ground the ball legally.
Is a try the only way to score points in rugby?
No, a try is one of the ways to score points in rugby. Other methods of scoring include penalty kicks, drop goals, and conversions. Penalty kicks and drop goals are worth three points each, and conversions are worth two points if successful after a try.
How many points are scored if a team scores multiple tries in a match?
Each try is worth five points. If a team scores multiple tries in a match, they accumulate five points for each successful try. Additionally, they may have the opportunity to score extra points through successful conversions following each try.
What is the significance of the term “try” in rugby?
The term “try” in rugby comes from the sport’s history when it was first introduced in the 19th century. Initially, there was no value assigned to scoring a try, but it provided the attacking team an opportunity to try to kick the ball through the goalposts to earn a “try” at a goal. Eventually, the scoring system evolved, and the try became a standalone scoring method worth five points.
Can a try be scored after the referee has blown the whistle to signal the end of the game?
No, once the referee has blown the final whistle, the game is officially over, and no further scoring can occur. Any try attempts after the final whistle do not count.
Are there any circumstances where a try is worth more than five points?
In standard rugby union rules, a try is always worth five points. However, in some variations of the game, such as Rugby Sevens, a try may be worth more points due to the faster pace and the shorter duration of the match.
What happens if a player is tackled while attempting to score a try?
If a player is tackled while attempting to score a try, the try attempt is not complete until the player releases the ball. The player can try to reach out and ground the ball over the try line despite being tackled, as long as they maintain control of the ball.
Can a try be scored if the ball bounces off the goalpost and then is grounded by an attacking player?
Yes, if the ball bounces off the goalpost or any other object but does not touch a defending player, and an attacking player then grounds it in the in-goal area, a try is awarded.
What is the record for the most tries scored by a player in a single rugby match?
The record for the most tries scored by a player in a single rugby match varies depending on the level of competition. In professional rugby, the record is around six or seven tries in a match. However, in lower-level or amateur competitions, there have been instances of players scoring ten or more tries in a single game.
Can a player intentionally knock the ball forward to score a try?
No, intentionally knocking the ball forward (a deliberate knock-on) is considered a foul in rugby and results in a penalty for the opposing team. A try cannot be scored directly from a deliberate knock-on.
In the case of a tied match, can a try scored during extra time secure victory for a team?
Yes, if a match is tied at the end of regular time and goes into extra time, a try scored during extra time can secure victory for the team that scores it. In most forms of rugby, extra time is played to determine the winner in the event of a tie.
Is a try considered a team effort, or can an individual player score a try on their own?
While a try often involves teamwork, an individual player can score a try on their own by using their skill, speed, and agility to outmaneuver the opposition’s defense and reach the try line. However, tries are typically the result of coordinated team efforts involving passing, support play, and strategic positioning.
Conclusion
A “try” in rugby is a fundamental scoring method where a player from the attacking team successfully grounds the ball in the opposition’s in-goal area with control and downward pressure. It is worth 5 points and represents a pivotal moment of achievement in the game.