Glossary of Rugby League Terms - T

T

Tackle

The player in possession may be tackled by players on the opposing team. It is not permitted to tackle or obstruct a player not in possession of the ball.

A tackle is completed when the player in possession of the ball:

1. Is held by a defending player while the ball or ball-carrying arm are in contact with the ground.
2. Is held by a defending player in such a way that they cannot make "further progress" and "cannot part with the ball".
3. While being held by a defending player, makes it clear that they have "succumbed to the tackle and wish to be released in order to play the ball".

Tap kick

A tap kick is a type of kick used by players at penalties or free kicks to meet the regulation that requires the ball must be kicked a visible distance before a player may pass or run with it.

In a tap kick, the player momentarily releases the ball from his hands and taps it with his foot or lower leg and then quickly catches it again. The player will then generally try to run forward with the ball.

Tap tackle

Another term for Ankle tap.

Test match

International rugby league matches with full (Test) status are called Test matches.

Threequarters

The threequarters, also known as "outside backs", consist of the wingers and centres. The term "threequarters" originated as the tactics and player formations of rugby football developed in the 1880s. The players positioned between the halves and the full back were known as the quarters; during the years in which is was usual for there to be three players positioned here, they were known collectively as the three quarters. Later, the addition of a fourth player to the quarters became usual for teams. As the formations developed, an additional player was placed between the halfback and the quarters. Due to a semantic change for three quarters to mean 6/8ths, with halfback being 4/8ths, the position came to be known as the five-eighth.

Touch

Touch is the area outside two touch-lines which define the sides of the playing area. As the touch-lines are not part of the playing area they are usually included as part of touch.

Touch in-goal

The part of the touch line that is inside the in-goal area. If a team causes the ball to go into touch in-goal in their own in-goal area they must perform a goal line drop-out. If a team causes the ball to go into touch in-goal in the opposing team's in-goal, the opposing team will be given an optional kick on the 20 metre line.

Touch judge

The touch judge is an official who monitors the touch-line and raises a flag if the ball (or player carrying it) goes into touch. Touch judges also stand behind the posts to confirm that a goal has been scored following a penalty kick or conversion of a try.

Try

The primary method of scoring. A try is worth four points. It is scored when a player places the ball on the ground with downward pressure in the in-goal area between (and including) the goal-line and up to but not including dead ball line of the opposition's half. (As the goal posts and post protectors are also part of the goal-line, touching the ball down against the base of these is also a try.)

There is no such thing as an "own try". If a defending player grounds the ball in his own in-goal area, a goal line drop-out is awarded instead.

Try-line

Otherwise known as the goal line, so-called because a player has to cross this line to score a try.

Turnover

Another term for handover.