Try facts for kids

A try is a super exciting way to score points in the sports of rugby league and rugby union. It's one of the most important ways to get ahead in a game!

You score a try when a player manages to get the ball into the opponent's special area called the in-goal area. This area is behind the goalposts. To score, the player must press the ball down onto the ground while holding it. Sometimes, a try can also be scored by touching the base of the goalposts and the ground at the same time with the ball.

What is a Try in Rugby?

A try is the main way to score points in rugby. It's like a touchdown in American football, but with different rules! When a player scores a try, their team gets a good number of points, which helps them win the game.

How Do Players Score a Try?

To score a try, a player needs to carry the ball into the opponent's in-goal area. This is the space at the very end of the field, behind the goalposts. Once they are in this area, they must press the ball down onto the ground. This is called "grounding the ball."

• The player must be holding the ball.
• They need to apply downward pressure on the ball.
• The ball must touch the ground in the in-goal area.

The In-Goal Area Explained

The in-goal area is a special part of the rugby field. It's where tries are scored. Think of it as the scoring zone for rugby. It's located at each end of the playing field, behind the try line and the goalposts.

Touching the Goalposts

Sometimes, a player can score a try by touching the base of the goalposts with the ball. This must happen at the same time the ball is grounded. It's another way to successfully complete a try.

Why is a Try Important?

Scoring a try is very important because it gives a team a lot of points. In rugby union, a try is worth five points. In rugby league, it's worth four points. After scoring a try, the team also gets a chance to score even more points with a "conversion kick."

What Happens After a Try?

After a try is scored, the scoring team gets to attempt a "conversion kick." This kick is taken from a spot in line with where the try was scored. If the kicker sends the ball through the goalposts, they earn extra points!

• In rugby union, a successful conversion adds two points.
• In rugby league, a successful conversion adds two points.

Different Types of Rugby

The rules for scoring a try are very similar in both rugby league and rugby union. These are the two main types of rugby played around the world. Both sports are exciting and involve a lot of running, passing, and teamwork.

Rugby Union Tries

In rugby union, a try is worth five points. This makes it the highest-scoring action in the game. Teams often work together to create opportunities for players to run the ball into the in-goal area.

Rugby League Tries

In rugby league, a try is worth four points. While slightly less than union, it's still the most valuable scoring play. Rugby league is known for its fast-paced action and powerful tackles.

History of the Try

The concept of the "try" has been part of rugby since its early days. Originally, getting the ball down in the opponent's in-goal area didn't score points directly. Instead, it gave the team a "try" at a kick for goal. Over time, the try itself became worth points, recognizing the skill and effort involved in getting the ball into that scoring position.

Images for kids

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  A robot thinking about rugby.