Scoring overview: There are five ways to score points in rugby — tries, penalty tries, conversions, drop goals, and penalty place kicks. Each one is defined below with step-by-step coding instructions. A full video summary is here:
Try
Definition: A try is scored when a player places the ball on the ground over the opponent's goal line. It is worth 5 points and allows the team to attempt a kick for extra points.
How to Code
A) Home team scores a try: Press "1" (Home Team Possession) > Press "T". Identify the player who scored the try and enter the jersey number. Press Enter.
B) Opposition team scores a try: Press "2" (Opposition Possession) > Press "T".
Penalty Try
Definition: A penalty try is a special scoring play designed to punish foul play by the defending team that prevents an almost certain try. Unlike a regular try (5 points + conversion), a penalty try is automatically worth 7 points with no conversion attempt needed.
Here are some examples of penalty tries:
How to Code
A) Home team awarded a penalty try:
Press "1" (Home Team Possession) > Press "T".
Identify the player who scored the try and enter the jersey number > Press Enter.
Press "G" > Select Conversion.
Identify the player (same player) and enter the jersey number > Press Enter.
Press "I" (Infringement) > Select the Opposition Team from the prompt.
B) Opposition team awarded a penalty try:
Press "2" (Opposition Possession) > Press "T".
Press "G" > Select Conversion.
Press "I" (Infringement) > Select the Home Team from the prompt.
Identify the player who committed the infringement and enter the jersey number.
Press Enter.
Conversion
Definition: A conversion is a kick at goal taken after a team scores a try. If the kick goes through the posts, the team scores 2 extra points. Successful: The ball passes between the posts and over the crossbar. Unsuccessful: The ball misses the posts or goes under the crossbar.
How to Code
A) Home team successful conversion: Press "1" (Home Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Conversion. Identify the player and enter the jersey number. Press Enter.
B) Home team unsuccessful conversion: Press "1" (Home Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Conversion Missed. Identify the player and enter the jersey number. Press Enter.
C) Opposition team successful conversion: Press "2" (Opposition Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Conversion.
D) Opposition team unsuccessful conversion: Press "2" (Opposition Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Conversion Missed.
Drop Goal
Definition: A drop goal is scored during open play by dropping the ball onto the ground and kicking it through the posts as it bounces up. It is worth 3 points.
How to Code
A) Home team successful drop goal: Press "1" (Home Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Drop Goal. Identify the player and enter the jersey number. Press Enter.
B) Home team unsuccessful drop goal: Press "1" (Home Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Drop Goal Missed. Identify the player and enter the jersey number. Press Enter.
C) Opposition team successful drop goal: Press "2" (Opposition Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Drop Goal.
D) Opposition team unsuccessful drop goal: Press "2" (Opposition Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Drop Goal Missed.
Penalty Place Kick
Definition: A penalty place kick is a kick at goal taken after the referee awards a penalty. The ball is placed on a tee or the ground and kicked through the posts for 3 points.
How to Code
A) Home team successful penalty kick: Press "1" (Home Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Penalty Kick. Identify the player and enter the jersey number. Press Enter.
B) Home team unsuccessful penalty kick: Press "1" (Home Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Penalty Kick Missed. Identify the player and enter the jersey number. Press Enter.
C) Opposition team successful penalty kick: Press "2" (Opposition Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Penalty Kick.
D) Opposition team unsuccessful penalty kick: Press "2" (Opposition Team Possession). Press "G" > Select Penalty Kick Missed.
Important to Remember
Q: How many points is each scoring method worth?
A: Try: 5. Conversion: 2. Penalty place kick: 3. Drop goal: 3. Penalty try: 7.
Q: What is a try?
A: A try is scored when a player grounds the ball in the opponent’s in-goal area. It is worth 5 points and is followed by a conversion attempt (unless it’s a penalty try).
Q: What are common signals that a try is scored?
A: The referee blows the whistle and signals the try, the crowd reaction often spikes, and teams set up for a conversion immediately afterward.
Q: What is a penalty try and how do I identify it?
A: A penalty try is awarded when foul play prevents a probable try. It is automatically 7 points with no conversion. The referee typically runs under the posts and signals a penalty.
Q: What is a conversion?
A: A conversion is a kick at goal taken after a try. If it goes between the posts and over the crossbar, it’s worth 2 points.
Q: How do I identify a conversion kick in video?
A: It occurs immediately after a try. Teams set up with defenders gathering behind/near the posts and behind the Try line, and the kicker (often #10, but still make sure to identify the correct player #) prepares a place kick from a tee or the ground.
Q: How do I determine if a conversion was successful?
A: Successful if the ball passes between the posts and over the crossbar; touch judges typically raise flags. Unsuccessful if it misses/no flags are raised.
Q: What is a drop goal?
A: A drop goal is scored in open play when a player drops the ball to the ground and kicks it as it bounces up through the posts. It is worth 3 points.
Q: How do I determine if a drop goal was successful?
A: Successful if the ball goes between the posts and over the crossbar; the referee blows the whistle and raises an arm straight up. If it misses, there’s no success signal.
Q: What is a penalty place kick?
A: A penalty place kick is a kick at goal taken after a penalty is awarded. The ball is placed on a tee/ground and kicked through the posts for 3 points if successful.