The 180 degree rule is a basic device in film making that shows the relationship between two characters' positions. The rule states that two characters must have the same left/right relationship to each other in order for the continuity of the sequence to be correct. To understand the rule you have to imagine that there is a line between the characters.
The camera must stay on one side of the two characters and pan in a half moon line to make sure the left right relationship doesn't change.
If the line is crossed, causing the characters position to change, the audience may be disoriented and confused. However, sometimes the rule may be purposely broken to off-put the viewer or to even show the mental state of a character. The breaking of the 180 degree rule catches the viewer off guard as it isn't a filming technique that's often used.
Well done for explanation. Watching the Rugby World Cup offers splendid examples of the 180 degree rule.
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