Rugby · Level 7: Upper-Advanced · Sub-level 7.1
Sevens
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
The seven-a-side game: where it began, restarts, set pieces, attack and defence in space, the players, tournaments, crossing over from fifteens, squads and how matches are won.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1What sevens isTake a test
Melrose ran the first sevens in 1883.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Ned Haig suggested the short game.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
It was a fund-raising day.
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Seven against fifteen.
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Full field, few players.
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Space beats defenders.
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Short games, packed weekends.
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Pools, then knock-outs.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Seven, ten, fifteen.
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Space is the sevens story.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 2Sevens restartsTake a test
In sevens the scorers kick off, so a good restart gives them the ball again.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Winning restarts is a sevens weapon.
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Teams keep the ball for long spells.
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Drop kicks give height and control.
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Height wins the contest.
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Cover the landing zone.
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Long kicks hand over possession.
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Kick, contest, tap, attack.
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Best is clean possession.
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A contested short restart.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 3Set pieces in sevensTake a test
A three-player front row.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Small scrums set fast.
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Same as fifteens.
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Two or three in the line.
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Quick ball, open field.
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First-phase space is huge.
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Throwing stays with the hooker.
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Feed, strike, pass, score.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Six, about four to six, one.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Three-player scrums.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 4Attacking in sevensTake a test
Possession is precious.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Space and pace.
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Width stretches seven defenders.
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Arcing runs create overlaps.
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Decision-making leads attack.
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Breaks need a finisher.
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A chip beats rush defence.
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Draw, pass, score.
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Breaks score most.
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Deep arcing support.
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Test 5Defending in sevensTake a test
Seven cover a full width.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
One sits back for kicks and breaks.
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One miss can mean a try.
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Edges are the danger.
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Keep numbers in the line.
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Pressure from speed.
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Calls keep the line joined.
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Break, cover, tackle, support.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Edge misses are fatal.
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The sweeper covers behind.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 6Sevens playersTake a test
All seven must run and pass.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Versatility matters.
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Mobile back-rowers suit sevens.
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Speed finishes moves.
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Decisions run through them.
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Link players move the ball wide.
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Fresh legs keep the pace high.
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Nine, playmaker, link, wing.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
The playmaker handles most.
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Restart catching.
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Test 7Sevens tournamentsTake a test
Many games, short rest.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Plate, bowl and shield matches.
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Named after the home of sevens.
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Hong Kong Sevens began in 1976.
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Sevens debuted in Rio.
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Middlesex Sevens from 1926.
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Series events around the world.
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1883, 1976, 1993, 2016.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
1883, 1926, 1976.
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Sevens weekends are parties.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 8From fifteens to sevensTake a test
Handling at pace rules sevens.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Space forces quick reads.
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Open-field defence is exposed.
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Footwork in space.
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Lone tackles must stick.
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Keep the ball.
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Same core skills.
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Train, test, play, return.
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Running dominates.
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One-on-one evasion.
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Test 9Sevens squadsTake a test
Freshness for the finals.
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Core players play most.
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Late speed changes games.
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Full-time sevens players.
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Short turnarounds.
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Quick team reviews.
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Pool foes can return in knock-outs.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Warm up, play, recover, play.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Starters play most.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Between-game preparation.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Test 10How sevens is wonTake a test
Open tries win sevens.
Source: General rugby union reference · recall
Drop-kicked conversions.
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Time is short.
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One fewer in huge space.
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Ball retention under pressure.
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Quick taps suit sevens.
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Momentum swings fast.
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Try, conversion, kick-off, play.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Tries most, penalty goals rare.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Quick drop-kick conversion.
Source: General rugby union reference · applied
Sources
World Rugby handbooks and coaching material, union and competition records; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered Laws belong to the Laws category.
- General rugby union reference100