Book of football

THE OB
J
ECT OF THE GAME
T
HE
object of the players in a game of Rugby football
is. to combine to send the ball (length,
ii
-
11
4
inches;
length circumference, 30-31 inches, width circum-
ference, 25i-26 inches ; weight, 13-1412 oz.) over the
bar (io feet from the ground) and between the posts
(18 feet 6 inches apart and exceeding ii feet in height).
To this end fifteen players on either side play on an
area, termed the " field of play " or " pitch," not ex-
ceeding
110
yards long by 75 yards broad, and as
nearly as possible of those dimensions.
Goals are of different point-values. First of all is
the goal from a " try," which equals 5 points. Then
comes the goal from a drop kick, termed a " dropped "
goal, which is worth 4 points. Thirdly, the goal
from a " penalty " awarded by the referee, or from
a " mark " made by any player, which is worth 3
points. The " penalty " or " mark " goal may be
" placed " or " dropped." The goal from a try must
be " placed."
The " try " alone is worth 3 points, and is scored
by the first player to place his hand on the ball when
it is on the ground
behind
his opponents' goal-line.
In their efforts to achieve this object the fifteen
players may arrange themselves in any formation
they choose, and, broadly speaking, get there, as our
2I