In rugby, a phase is the period when the ball is in play between two static stages of possession. The phase can start with a kick-off, a scrum, a line-out, a tap-and-go, or the ball being moved away from a ruck. The phase ends when a player is tackled and the team keeps possession at the breakdown. A team can have as many phases as they want, and there is no limit on the number of phases a team can have. The goal of a team is to keep possession of the ball and advance it towards the opponents side of the field. Running up the phases is a common strategy when a team has a close lead near the end of the match-time, to keep hold of the ball so that the opposition doesn’t have the chance to score. Referees keep a sharp eye for any infringement by the team in possession, as the sport of Rugby Union puts a high emphasis on allowing a fair contest for the ball.