What the Ruck?

One of the things I was kind of excited about when I saw the events for the Summer Olympics was Rugby. Rugby is a sport that I have been fascinated by, but I never really took the time to learn any of the rules. I think others have tried to explain it to me before, but either I wasn't in the right frame of mind or the delivery was poor.

Apparently, the type of rugby being played in the Olympics "sevens" is different from other types. Different rules or something like that I guess. It might help if I actually knew any of the rules for any of the types right?

I'm currently watching the match between the US and New Zealand women's teams. It doesn't help that the New Zealand team is the defending gold medal team and they are basically making our ladies look like elementary school kids on the pitch(?) is that what you call it or is that just soccer?

I jumped over to Google to see what kind of information I could find about the game. I clicked on the first article I found which was this one, and it seems to have a bit of good information in it.

I think one of the things that confuses fans of American sports the most is the fact that play doesn't stop when the ball hits the ground or someone gets tackled. I think another confusing piece is that turnovers don't happen like you would expect them to when the ball is loose.

I figured the "sevens" in this style of rugby was in reference to there being seven players on each side, but it actually has to do with the fact that the games are only 14 minutes long split into two seven minute halves. At least that's the way I understand it.

I still don't understand the whole "phases" thing and if it is something the team chooses to do or it just happens naturally. For example, do you strategically plan "Rucks", or do they just happen? What about "mauls"? Scrums anyone?

I'm all about trying to learn and enjoy a new sport, but all of this lingo has me a bit confused.

The American women's team ended up losing by a hefty amount to New Zealand. In fact, I don't think they scored again after they scored on the opening try.

I think another one of the things that confuses me the most is the idea that no one can touch the ball until it reaches the back foot of a teammate. Which teammate? How is that determined? Can anyone touch it then or only members of your same team? With all the angles, people moving, and funny ways the ball bounces how can you be sure it actually reached the back foot of whoever is the barometer for back foot play-ability?

If the other team isn't allowed to touch the ball when they are on defense, how do turnovers ever happen?

Then again, maybe I am just making it harder than it is...