Rugby Try – Scoring Made Simple

If you’ve ever watched a rugby match and wondered what exactly a "try" is, you’re not alone. A try is the main way to put points on the board, and it’s easier than you think once you break down the rules.

In short, a try is earned when a player grounds the ball in the opponent’s in‑goal area. The ball has to be touched down with downward pressure, and the player must be on their feet or supported by a teammate. No fouls or forward passes are allowed in the lead‑up, otherwise the referee will call it back.

What Counts as a Try?

Here are the basics you need to remember:

• Grounding the ball: The ball must be pressed onto the ground, not just held over it.
• In‑goal area: This is the rectangle beyond the try line, including the dead‑ball line.
• Support: The player can be supported by teammates, but they can’t be stuck in a maul that’s not moving forward.

If all three are met, the referee will award five points (or four in some junior leagues). After the try, the team gets a conversion kick for extra points.

Sometimes a match runs past the regular 80 minutes, and you’ll see tries scored in stoppage time. Our post "Why Rugby Matches Exceed 80 Minutes" explains why extra minutes are added – mainly to make sure the game ends on a fair play, not a whistle.

Tips to Score More Tries

Now that you know the rulebook, let’s talk about how to actually get those five points on the board.

1. Speed up the ball. Move the ball quickly from the ruck to the backs. A fast ball catches defenders off guard and opens space for a line break.

2. Use decoys. Have a teammate run a dummy line to pull defenders away. This creates a gap for the ball‑carrier.

3. Keep the ball low. A low, hard‑running ball is harder to strip and easier to ground cleanly.

4. Practice support play. Always have a teammate nearby to secure the ball if the runner is tackled. Support players can dive in and finish the try.

5. Study the opponents. Look at where the defense is weakest. In many games, the wing or the full‑back area is less defended, especially when the opposition is tired late in the match.

Following the international fixtures in our "Rugby Fixtures: Which Country Loves Rugby the Most?" article can give you ideas on how top teams structure their attacks. Watching how New Zealand or England set up their back‑line can inspire your own play.

Finally, remember that a try isn’t just about raw power. It’s about timing, support, and reading the game. Keep practicing the basics, watch high‑level matches for patterns, and you’ll find yourself crossing the try line more often.