Kick-off, Kicking, and Ball Movement

For the next couple of weeks I will be writing about different aspects of rugby game-play. Some topics I will cover include kicking and ball movement, game lengths and overtime rules, penalties and red and yellow cards, and forward and back positions. But first, some terms you should know:
Forwards: Large, bulky players that make most of the tackles and follow the ball. The two opposing forward "packs" center on the ball for most of the game.
Backs: Fast players that run the ball into open space. They form a tail behind the forwards during play so that the ball may be passed out quickly.
Scrum: Used to describe the sequence of play where opposing forwards push over the ball to gain possession.
Ruck: After a tackle players do this by forming a temporary "scrum" over the ball.
Line-out: Used to describe throwing the ball back into bounds.
Maul: When players stay on their feet and fight over the ball by trying to "rip" it out of opposing players hands.

Every rugby game must start with a kick-off. The team kicking off will "drop-kick" the ball by letting the ball fall to the ground, then kicking it when it bounces. This is one of the hardest skills for rugby players to develop, but it is very useful because drop-kicks are required for many situations. Teams vary in how they line up for a kick-off, with some teams choosing to place their largest players in the back so they may run onto the ball, and some placing them in the front so they can take short kick-offs. Most teams opt to place their forwards in position to catch the ball and line them up in the positions they would normally be in during a scrum.

Kicking the ball is a very strategic move in rugby. Players may kick at any time of the game, and kicks do not have to be drop-kicks. Teams typically kick when they are looking to gain field position. It is not uncommon to see teams that begin the game with a series of back-and-forth kicks, ending when one team kicks the ball out of bounds.

Passing the ball is another difficult concept for new players. The ball may only travel backwards, contrary to football, where the ball may travel forward or backward.

Players score by either drop-kicking a ball into the opposing team's goal posts or touching the ball down in the opposing team's goal zone.