1. Players can run with the ball in hand. Feints and speed are your best weapons.
2. The ball can only be passed backwards. Its oval shape requires proper passing technique.
3. The player with the ball can be tackled. Tackling is only allowed using the arms.
4. Minor infractions, like dropping the ball or passing it forward—are penalized with a scrum. In a scrum, the 8 forwards players from each team form a specific formation and compete for the ball, which is thrown into the middle.
5. If the ball goes out of bounds, a line-out is formed. The ball is then thrown between two lines of players.
6. Serious infractions like arguing with the referee or being offside are penalized with a penalty kick. The opposing team then must retreat 10 meters. If you're near the goalposts, you may attempt a kick through them for 3 points.
7. Offside: as long as you stay behind the ball, you're generally not offside.
8. Contact isn’t just in tackles. In a maul, you make contact by driving into a player and turning your body. If the opponent grabs you, you wait for a teammate to help. This often leads to a cluster of players pushing and pulling for the ball.  If the ball hits the ground in this situation, it becomes a ruck.
9. You’re allowed to kick the ball. This can be useful when defending, though it often results in losing possession.
10. Always treat your opponents and the referee with respect.

Many of these rules and game situations are explained in more detail in the Beginner’s Guide below, but the best way to learn is simply by playing!