Center: Position in sevens. Requires speed to make plays both on the attack and on defense.  

Conversion: After a team scores a try, they have the opportunity to kick the ball from any spot perpendicular to where the ball was touched down. If the kick goes through the uprights, it is worth two points. 

Drop Goal: At any point during open play when the posts are within range, a player may attempt to drop kick the ball through the posts for a drop goal. If the kick is successful, it is worth three points.  

Drop Kick: A player drops the ball and then kicks it after it bounces on the ground. A drop kick is used to start and restart a game, as well as for conversions and penalties.  

Fly Half: The player who orchestrates the team's attack; rugby’s equivalent to a point guard. Often has to make split-second decisions about whether to kick, pass or run.  

Forwards: The trio of players that bind together into scrums. Includes the loose-head prop, tight-head prop and the hooker. 

Forward Pass: In rugby, a legal pass between teammates must be backward or lateral. Passing the ball forward accidently is a violation that often results in a scrum for the opposing team, however, if the referee deems the pass overt, he/she may declare a penalty in the opposing team’s favor. 

Hooker: The centermost of three forwards in the front row of a scrum, between the loose-head prop and tight-head prop. During a scrum, this player attempts to “hook” the ball with his/her leg back to their team’s fly half.  

Knock On: If a player loses possession of the ball and it moves forward, the referee calls a "knock on" and a scrum is awarded in favor of the opposing team at the place of infringement.  

Lineout: How a ball is returned into play after going out of bounds. One player throws the ball from the touch line, while his/her teammates lift a player up to catch the ball at its apex. The opposing team does the same, either to intercept the pass or deflect it. 

Maul: A maul occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more defenders, and one or more teammates of the ball carrier grab on as well to provide resistance.  

Off-load Pass: A short pass made by a player just before he/she is about to be tackled. 

Penalty: After a team commits a serious foul, the other team has the option to kick for goal if the posts are within range. If the kick is successful, it is worth three points. 

Pitch: The name for the playing field in rugby. It is 100m long and 70m wide.   

Prop: Either of the two forwards beside the hooker during a scrum. Also combine to lift a teammate to receive the ball during a lineout. 

Ruck: A ruck occurs when the ball is on the ground, and one or more players from both teams are standing above it. Players are only allowed to use their feet, not their hands, to move the ball in the ruck.  

Scrum: A scrum is used to restart play after a stoppage. Three forwards from each side lock together and use their feet to attempt to send the ball back toward the scrum half. 

Scrum Half: This player starts a scrum by rolling (or “feeding”) the ball underneath the forwards, then attempts to pick it up once his/her team’s hooker kicks it back. The scrum half is the link between the forwards and the backs.  

Sin Bin: An area just off the pitch where a player is sent for two minuFtes after receiving a yellow card. 

Tackle: Only the ball carrier is allowed to be tackled by an opposing player. Once the tackle is made, the ball carrier must release the ball and the tackler must release the ball carrier.  

Touchline: The sideline. 

Try: When a player runs the ball over the opponent’s goal line and touches it to the ground. Worth five points. The equivalent of a “touchdown” in American football. 

Wing: Also known as an outside back. Usually one of team's fastest players, positioned on the perimeter of the pitch. Wings touch the ball relatively infrequently, but when they do, they are expected to threaten the opponent’s goal line. 

World Rugby: The international federation of rugby. Previously known as the International Rugby Board.