ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Rugby union in the United States

Rugby union is a sport that is played by a group of people, usually two teams, who try to score points by carrying the ball over the other team's goal line or kicking it between the tall H-shaped goalposts. It's a bit like football, but instead of throwing and kicking a round ball, players use an oval-shaped ball and can run with it in their hands.

Now, in the United States, rugby union isn't as popular as sports like football or basketball. However, there are still many people who enjoy playing and watching it. There are different levels of rugby in the U.S., ranging from professional teams to amateur clubs.

In professional rugby, there is a league called Major League Rugby (MLR) that started in 2018. It consists of teams from various cities across the country, like New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle. These teams compete against each other, and the players get paid to play the game.

At the amateur level, there are many rugby clubs all over the United States. These clubs have players of different ages and skill levels, from kids to adults. They practice together and play against other clubs in friendly matches or organized tournaments. Some clubs even have youth programs, where they teach younger kids how to play rugby and have fun.

In order to play rugby, you need to be strong, fast, and work well with your teammates. The main objective is to score more points than the other team, either by carrying the ball over the goal line (known as a try) or kicking the ball through the goalposts (called a conversion or penalty kick). The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

During a rugby match, players tackle each other by grabbing onto each other and bringing the opposing player to the ground. It may sound a bit rough, but there are rules to keep everyone safe. For example, players cannot tackle someone who doesn't have the ball, and they must tackle below the shoulders. There are referees who make sure everyone follows the rules and penalize players who don't.

In the United States, rugby union is trying to grow and become more popular. Some people have started to watch rugby matches on TV or attend games live at stadiums. This helps to create more excitement and encourage more people to get involved.

So, although rugby union is not as well-known as other sports in the United States, there are still many people who enjoy playing and watching it. Whether it's at the professional level or in local clubs, rugby can be a fun and exciting sport to be a part of.
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