Rugby League Equipment and Facilities

There is a lot to be fascinated about in the game of rugby. For one thing, the physical abilities of the players are remarkable, since they are required to be at their physical peaks to play what is perhaps the most demanding contact team sport. Aside from this, the equipment and facilities used in the game are also worth noting. While there are two forms of rugby organizations – the Rugby Union and the Rugby League – this article would concentrate on the standard materials used for the latter. Ball The regular Rugby League ball is made of leather, although other approved materials can also be used for it. In terms of size and weight, the Rugby League ball is slightly smaller and lighter than its Union counterpart. It has a size of eleven by twenty-four inches, and a circumference of twenty-nine inches. The estimated weight of each ball is fourteen ounces. Playing Area In rugby, the playing area is different from the playing field. The playing area includes the actual playing field as well as the in-goal or end zone area. Usually, the Rugby League field is one hundred meters long and sixty-eight meters wide. The in-goal area is smaller but has the same width as the playing field. The main difference between the League and Union fields are the lines that mark the playing area. A League field tends to be simpler than a Union one because there are lesser lines used in it. Goal Posts rugby league clubs know the importance of goal kicks in winning a game. Goal kicks are accepted ways of scoring in rugby. Basically, a player has to kick the ball in between goal posts that are eighteen feet apart. Depending on the circumstances, a successful goal kick can net a team two to three points. Uniforms Although the uniforms of rugby league clubs vary, they have to follow certain standards in order to be used for an official game. Shirts and shorts are made of soft materials, usually cotton, to promote ease of movement. The use of padding would depend on a particular competition’s rules. Safety Gear Although rugby is a tough sport, there is a premium on player safety. This is why rugby league clubs encourage the use of other protective gear such as mouth guards, helmets, and gloves.