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For THE Parents

What did Sir (the ref) just say?

Rugby has its own language, and it flies around the touchline at speed.

 

Here's the lot, translated into plain English. Skim it, screenshot it, or keep it on your phone for the touchline. (You'll hear some of these only when watching the professionals - we've flagged those.)

Scoring words

  • Try - touching the ball down over the opponent's line. Worth 5 points; the big prize.

  • Conversion - the kick at the posts you get after a try. Worth 2.

  • Penalty (kick) - a kick at the posts after the other team breaks a rule. Worth 3.

  • Drop goal - kicking the ball through the posts during open play. Worth 3.

Stoppages & Restarts

  • Knock-on - the ball goes forward off a hand or arm to the ground. The most common whistle you'll hear.

  • Forward pass - passing the ball forward to a teammate (not allowed — it must go back or sideways).

  • Offside - a player is too far forward and in an unfair position. Play stops or a penalty is given.

  • Advantage - after an infringement, the ref lets play continue if the non-offending team is benefitting.

  • Touch - the ball (or player carrying it) goes out over the side line.

  • Lineout - the restart after the ball goes into touch: a player is lifted to catch the throw-in.

  • Scrum - the restart after a knock-on or forward pass: the forwards bind and push for the ball.

  • Mark - a defender catches a kick inside their own 22 and shouts "mark!" to win a free kick.

  • 22 drop-out / drop-out - a restart kick taken when the ball is made dead behind the line.

The contact area (the messy bit in the middle)

  • Tackle - bringing the ball-carrier to the ground (must be below the shoulders — safety first).

  • Breakdown - the contest for the ball straight after a tackle.

  • Ruck - players from both teams bind together over the ball on the ground to win it.

  • Maul - like a ruck but the ball-carrier is held up off the ground, and teammates drive forward.

  • Turnover - winning the ball back from the other team.

  • Jackal - a player bending over the tackled ball trying to steal it (you'll hear this on TV).

  • Phase - one passage of play between breakdowns ("they're through five phases").

  • Use it or lose it - Sir's warning to get the ball out of a ruck or maul, or hand it over.

Moves & kicks

  • Hand-off/fend - the ball-carrier pushes a tackler away with an open hand (allowed from U12, below the armpit).

  • Offload - a pass made in the tackle, before going to ground.

  • Pick and go - a forward grabs the ball at the ruck and drives forward a few metres.

  • Up-and-under/garryowen - a high kick to chase and contest.

  • Grubber - a kick along the ground.

  • Box kick - a high kick from the scrum-half, usually from behind a ruck.

  • Dummy/sidestep - fooling a defender with a fake pass or a sharp change of direction.

People & officials

  • Forwards (the pack) - shirts 1–8: the bigger, stronger players who do the scrums, lineouts and close-quarter work.

  • Backs (the backline) - shirts 9–15: generally the faster, more creative players who make and finish chances.

  • Referee/"Sir" - runs the game. Their decision is final (and they're often a volunteer - be kind!).

  • Assistant referees/touch judges - run the lines, flag for touch and help the ref/Sir.

Cards & Safety

  • Sin bin (yellow card) - a player is sent off for 10 minutes for foul play or repeated offences.

  • Red card - sent off for the rest of the match for serious foul play.

  • HIA/HEADCASE - head-injury checks. In youth rugby the rule is simple: if in doubt, sit them out.

  • Uncontested scrums - scrums where teams don't push (for safety, e.g. if there are no trained front-rowers).

  • Blood replacement - a player leaves temporarily to deal with a bleeding cut.

"Telly words" you'll hear watching the pros (but not in youth rugby)

  • TMO - the Television Match Official (video referee).

  • 50:22/caterpillar ruck/bomb - pro-level tactics and slang you won't need on a Sunday morning until you a seasoned touchline campaigner.

Keep Going

That's the language sorted.

 

This is part of our free Understanding the Game series - alongside Rugby, Finally Explained and our What Does Each Position Do? guide.


When you're ready to back your young player every week, FearLess Rugby sends a training pack built for their exact age group, every Friday at 4pm. Join our Founding 100 families at www.fearlessrugby.com.


Different union? These terms follow England RFU rugby. Under Wales, Scotland, Ireland or another union, or overseas? The language is much the same - but for anything specific, drop us a line at thepack@fearlessrugby.com.

This is FearLess Rugby's simplified, plain-English explainer to help parents enjoy the game. It is not official and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the RFU. For the official rules see RFU Regulation 15 (Age Grade Rugby), and always confirm your child's match format with your club. Current for the 2025/26 season.

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