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Home  Laws of Rugby 2
Laws of Rugby - Part 2
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DURING THE MATCH
Method of Playing the Match
Law 7 Mode of Play
Law 8 Advantage
Law 9 Method of Scoring
Law 10 Foul Play
Law 11 Offside and Onside in General Play
Law 12 Knock on or Throw forward
Law 7 MODE OF PLAY
PLAYING A MATCH
A match is started by a kick off.
After the kick off, any player who is onside may take the ball and
run with it.
Any player may throw it or kick it.
Any player may give the ball to another player.
Any player may tackle, hold or push an opponent holding the ball.
Any player may fall on the ball.
Any player may take part in a scrum, ruck, maul or lineout.
Any player may ground the ball in in-goal.
Whatever a player does must be in accordance with the laws of the
game.
LAW 8 ADVANTAGEDEFINITIONS
The Law of advantage takes precedence over most other Laws and its
purpose is to make play more continuous with fewer stoppages for
infringements. Players are encouraged to play to the whistle despite
infringements by their opponents. When the result of an infringement
by one team is that their opposing team may gain an advantage, the
referee does not whistle immediately for the infringement.
8.1 ADVANTAGE IN PRACTICE
(a) The referee is sole judge of whether or not a team has gained an
advantage. The referee has wide discretion when making decisions.
(b) Advantage can be either territorial or tactical.
(c) Territorial advantage means a gain in ground.
(d) Tactical advantage means freedom for the non-offending team to
play the ball as they wish.
8.2 WHEN ADVANTAGE DOES NOT ARISE
The advantage must be clear and real. A mere opportunity to gain
advantage is not enough. If the non-offending team does not gain
an advantage, the referee blows the whistle and brings play back to
the place of infringement.
8.3 WHEN THE ADVANTAGE LAW IS NOT APPLIED
(a) Referee contact. Advantage must not be applied when the ball,
or a player carrying it, touches the referee.
(b) Ball out of tunnel. Advantage must not be applied when the
ball comes out of either end of the tunnel at a scrum without
having been played.
(c) Wheeled scrum. Advantage must not be applied when the
scrum is wheeled through more than 90 degrees (so that the middle
line has passed beyond a position parallel to the touchline).
(d) Collapsed scrum. Advantage must not be applied when a scrum
collapses. The referee must blow the whistle immediately.
(e) Player lifted in the air. Advantage must not be applied when
a player in a scrum is lifted in the air or forced upwards out of the
scrum. The referee must blow the whistle immediately.
8.4 IMMEDIATE WHISTLE WHEN NO ADVANTAGE
The referee blows the whistle immediately once the referee decides
an advantage cannot be gained by the non-offending team.
8.5 MORE THAN ONE INFRINGEMENT
(a) If there is more than one infringement by the same team the
referee applies the advantage law.
(b) If advantage is being played following an infringement by one
team and then the other team commit an infringement, the
referee blows the whistle and applies the sanctions associated with
the first infringement.
Law 9 METHOD OF SCORING
9.A. SCORING POINTS VALUE
9.A.1 POINTS VALUES
5 points
Try.
When an attacking player is first to ground the ball in the opponents'
in-goal, a try is scored.
5 points
Penalty Try.
If a player would probably have scored a try but for foul play by an opponent,
a penalty try is awarded between the goal posts.
2 points
Conversion Goal.
When a player scores a try it gives the playerís team the right to attempt to
score a goal by taking a kick at goal; this also applies to a penalty try. This
kick is a conversion kick: a conversion kick can be a place kick or a drop kick.
3 points
Penalty Goal.
A player scores a penalty goal by kicking a goal from a penalty kick.
3 points
Dropped Goal. A player scores a dropped goal by kicking a goal from a
drop kick in general play. The team awarded a free kick cannot score a
dropped goal until the ball next becomes dead, or until an opponent
has played or touched it, or has tackled the ball carrier. This
restriction applies also to a scrum taken instead of a free kick.
9.A.2. KICK AT GOAL - SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
(a) If after the ball is kicked, it touches the ground or any team mate
of the kicker, a goal cannot be scored.
(b) If the ball has crossed the cross bar a goal is scored, even if the
wind blows it back into the field of play.
(c) If an opponent commits an offence as the kick at goal is being
taken, but neverthless the kick is successful, advantage is played
and the score stands.
(d) Any player who touches the ball in an attempt to prevent a penalty
goal being scored is illegally touching the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
9.BCONVERSION KICK
DEFINITIONS
When a player scores a try, it gives the playerís team the right to try to
score a goal by taking a kick at goal; this also applies to a penalty try.
This kick is a conversion kick. A conversion kick can be a place kick or
a drop kick.
9.B.1 TAKING A CONVERSION KICK
(a) The kicker must use the ball that was in play unless it is defective.
(b) The kick is taken on a line through the place where the try was
scored.
(c) A placer is a team mate who holds the ball for the kicker to kick.
(d) The kicker may place the ball directly on the ground or on sand,
sawdust or a kicking tee approved by the Union.
(e) The kicker must take the kick within one minute from the time the
kicker has indicated an intention to kick. The intention to kick is
signalled by the arrival of the kicking tee or sand, or the player
makes a mark on the ground. The player must complete the kick
within the minute even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed
again.
Penalty: The kick is disallowed if the kicker does not take the kick
within the time allowed.
9.B.2 THE KICKERíS TEAM
(a) All the kickerís team, except the placer, must be behind the ball
when it is kicked.
(b) Neither the kicker nor a placer must do anything to mislead their
opponents into charging too soon.
(c) If the ball falls over before the kicker begins the approach to kick,
the referee permits the kicker to replace it without excessive delay.
While the ball is replaced, the opponents must stay behind their
goal line.
If the ball falls over after the kicker begins the approach to kick, the
kicker may then kick or attempt a dropped goal.
If the ball falls over and rolls away from the line through the place
where the try was scored, and the kicker then kicks the ball over
the cross bar, a goal is scored.
If the ball falls over and rolls into touch after the kicker begins the
approach to kick, the kick is disallowed.
Penalty: (a)-(c) If the kickerís team infringes, the kick is
disallowed.
9.B.3 THE OPPOSING TEAM
(a) All players of the opposing team must retire to their goal line and
must not overstep that line until the kicker begins the approach to
kick or starts to kick. When the kicker does this, they may charge
or jump to prevent a goal but must not be physically supported by
other players in these actions.
(b) When the ball falls over after the kicker began the approach to
kick, the opponents may continue to charge.
(c) A defending team must not shout during a kick at goal.
Penalty: (a)-(c) If the opposing team infringes but the kick is
successful, the goal stands.
If the kick is unsuccessful, the kicker may take another kick and
the opposing team is not allowed to charge.
When another kick is allowed, the kicker may repeat all the
preparations. The kicker may change the type of kick.
LAW 10 FOUL PLAYDEFINITIONS
Foul play is anything a person does within the playing enclosure that
is against the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game. It includes
obstruction, unfair play, repeated infringements, dangerous play and
misconduct which is prejudicial to the game.
10.1 OBSTRUCTION
(a) Charging or pushing. When a player and an opponent are
running for the ball, either player must not charge or push the
other except shoulder-to-shoulder.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) Running in front of a ball carrier. A player must not
intentionally move or stand in front of a team mate carrying the
ball thereby preventing opponents from tackling the current ball
carrier or the opportunity to tackle potential ball carriers when
they gain possession.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) Blocking the tackler. A player must not intentionally move or
stand in a position that prevents an opponent from tackling a ball
carrier.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) Blocking the ball. A player must not intentionally move or
stand in a position that prevents an opponent from playing the
ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) Ball carrier running into team mate at a set-piece. A
player carrying the ball after it has left a scrum, ruck, maul or
lineout must not run into team mates in front of the player.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f) Flanker obstructing opposing scrum half. A flanker in a
scrum must not prevent an opposing scrum half from advancing
around the scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
10.2 UNFAIR PLAY
(a) Intentionally Offending. A player must not intentionally
infringe any law of the game, or play unfairly. The player who
intentionally offends must be either admonished, or cautioned
that a send off will result if the offence or a similar offence is
committed, or sent off. After a caution a player is temporarily
suspended for a period of ten minutes playing time. After a
caution, the the player commits the same or similar offence, the
player must be sent off.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that
would probably otherwise have been scored. A player who
prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be
cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off.
(b) Time-wasting. A player must not intentionally waste time.
Penalty: Free Kick
(c) Throwing into touch. A player must not intentionally knock,
place, push or throw the ball with his arm or hand into touch,
touch-in-goal, or over the dead ball line.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line if the offence is
between the 15-metre line and the touchline, or, at the place of
infringement if the offence occured elsewhere in the field of play,
or, 5 metres from the goal line and at least 15 metres from the
touchline if the infringement occured in in-goal.
A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that
would probably otherwise have been scored.
10.3 REPEATED INFRINGEMENTS
(a) Repeatedly offending. A player must not repeatedly infringe
any law. Repeated infringement is a matter of fact. The question
of whether or not the player intended to infringe is irrelevant.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
A player penalised for repeated infringements must be cautioned
and temporarily suspended. If that player then commits a further
cautionable offence, or the same offence, the player must be sent
off.
(b) Repeated infringements by the team. When different
players of the same team repeatedly commit the same offence, the
referee must decide whether or not this amounts to repeated
infringement. If it does, the referee gives a general warning to the
team and if they then repeat the offence, the referee cautions and
temporarily suspends the guilty player(s) for a period of 10
minutes playing time. If a player of that same team then repeats
the offence the referee sends off the guilty player(s).
Penalty: Penalty Kick
A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that
would probably otherwise have been scored.
(c) Repeated infringements: standard applied by referee.
When the referee decides how many offences constitute repeated
infringement, the referee must always apply a strict standard in
representative and senior matches. When a player offends three
times the referee must caution that player.
The referee may relax this standard in junior or minor matches,
where infringements may be the result of poor knowledge of the
laws or lack of skill.
10.4 DANGEROUS PLAY AND MISCONDUCT
(a) Punching or striking. A player must not strike an opponent
with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or
knee(s).
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) Stamping or trampling. A player must not stamp or trample
on an opponent.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) Kicking. A player must not kick an opponent
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) Tripping. A player must not trip an opponent with the leg or
foot.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(h) Tackling the jumper in the air. A player must not tackle nor
tap, push or pull the foot or feet of an opponent jumping for the
ball in a lineout or in open play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(i) Dangerous play in a scrum, ruck or maul. The front row of
a scrum must not rush against its opponents.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
Front row players must not intentionally lift opponents off their
feet or force them upwards out of the scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
Players must not charge into a ruck or maul without binding onto
a player in the ruck or maul.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
Players must not intentionally collapse a scrum, ruck or maul.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(j) Retaliation. A player must not retaliate. Even if an opponent is
infringing the laws, a player must not do anything that is
dangerous to the opponent.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(k) Acts contrary to good sportsmanship. A player must not do
anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship in the
playing enclosure.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(l) Misconduct while the ball is out of play. A player, must not,
while the ball is out of play, commit any misconduct, or obstruct
or in any way interfere with an opponent.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
The penalty is the same as for sections 10.4 (a)-(k) except that the
penalty kick is awarded at the place where play would restart. If
that place is on the touchline or within 15 metres of it, the mark
for the penalty kick is on the 15-metre line, in line with that place.
If play would restart at a 5-metre scrum, the mark for the penalty
kick is at that place of the scrum.
If play would restart with a drop out, the non-offending team may
choose to take the penalty kick anywhere on the 22-metre line.
If a penalty kick is awarded but the offending team is guilty of
further misconduct before the kick is taken, the referee cautions or
orders off the guilty player and advances the mark for the penalty
kick 10 metres. This covers both the original offence and the
misconduct.
If a penalty kick is awarded to a team but a player of that team is
guilty of further misconduct before the kick is taken, the referee
will caution or send-off the guilty player, declare the kick
disallowed, and award a penalty kick to the opposing team.
(m) Late-charging the kicker. A player must not intentionally
charge or obstruct an opponent who has just kicked the ball.
Penalty: The non-offending team may choose to take the penalty
kick either at the place of infringement, where the ball lands, or
where it was next played.
Place of infringement. If the infringement takes place in the
kickerís in-goal, the penalty kick is taken 5 metres from the goal
line in line with the place of infringement but at least 15 metres
from the touchline.
The non-offending team may also choose to take the penalty kick
where the ball lands or is next played and at least 15 metres from
the touchline where the ball lands. If the ball lands in touch, the mark for
the optional penalty kick is on the 15-metre line, in line with
where it went into touch. If the ball lands within 15 metres of the
touchline, the mark is on the 15-metre line opposite where it
landed.
If the ball lands in the in-goal, in touch-in-goal, or on or over the
dead ball line, the mark for the optional penalty kick is 5 metres
from the goal line, in line with the place where the ball crossed the
goal line and at least 15 metres from the touchline.
If the ball hits a goal post or crossbar, the optional penalty kick is
awarded where the ball lands on the ground.
(n) Flying Wedge and Cavalry Charge. A team must not use the
'Flying Wedge' or the 'Cavalry Charge'.
Penalty: Penalty Kick at the place of the original infringement.
'Flying Wedge' The type of attack known as a 'Flying Wedge'
usually happens near the goal line, when the attacking team is
awarded a penalty kick or free kick.
The kicker tap-kicks the ball and starts the attack, either by driving
towards the goal line or by passing to a team mate who drives
forward. Immediately, team mates bind on each side of the ball
carrier in a wedge formation. Often one or more of these team
mates is in front of the ball carrier. A 'Flying Wedge' is illegal.
Penalty: Penalty Kick at the place of the original infringement.
'Cavalry Charge'. The type of attack known as a 'Cavalry
Charge' usually happens near the goal line, when the attacking
team is awarded a penalty kick or free kick. Attacking players form
a line across the field some distance behind the kicker.
These attacking players are usually a metre or two apart. At a
signal from the kicker they charge forward. When they get near,
the kicker tap-kicks the ball and passes it to one of them.
Until the ball is kicked, the defending team must stay at least 10
metres from the mark or behind their goal line, if that is nearer. A
'Cavalry Charge' is illegal.
Penalty: Penalty Kick at the place of the original infringement.
10.5 SANCTIONS
(a) Any player who infringes any part of the Foul Play law must be
admonished, or cautioned and temporarily suspended, or sent-off.
(b) A player who has been cautioned and temporarily suspended who
then commits a second cautionable offence within the Foul Play
law must be sent-off.
10.6 YELLOW AND RED CARDS
(a) When a player has been cautioned and temporarily suspended in
an International match the referee will show that player a yellow card.
(b) When a player has been sent off in an International match, the
referee will show that player a red card.
(c) For other matches the Match Organiser or Union having jurisdiction
over the match may decide upon the use of yellow and red cards.
10.7 PLAYER SENT OFF
A player who is sent-off takes no further part in the match.
LAW 11 OFFSIDE AND ONSIDE IN GENERAL PLAY
DEFINITIONS
At the start of a game all players are onside. As the match progresses
players may find themselves in an offside position. Such players are
then liable to be penalized until they become onside again.
In general play a player is offside if the player is in front of a team mate
who is carrying the ball, or in front of a team mate who last played the
ball.
Offside means that a player is temporarily out of the game. Such
players are liable to be penalized if they take part in the game.
In general play, a player can be put onside either by an action of a team
mate or by an action of an opponent. However, the offside player
cannot be put onside if the offside player interferes with play; or moves
forward, towards the ball, or fails to move 10 metres away from the
place where the ball lands.
11.1 OFFSIDE IN GENERAL PLAY
(a) A player who is in an offside position is liable to penalty only if the
player does one of three things:
Interferes with play or,
Moves forward, towards the ball or
Fails to comply with the 10-Metre law (law 11.4).
A player who is in an offside position is not automatically penalised.
A player who receives an unintentional throw forward is not offside.
A player can be offside in the in-goal.
(b) Offside and interfering with play. A player who is offside
must not take part in the game. This means the player must not
play the ball or obstruct an opponent.
(c) Offside and moving forward. When a team mate of an offside
player has kicked ahead, the offside player must not move towards
opponents who are waiting to play the ball, or move towards the
place where the ball lands, until the player has been put onside.
11.2 BEING PUT ONSIDE BY THE ACTION OF A TEAM MATE
In general play, there are four ways by which an offside player can
be put onside by actions of that player or of team mates;
(a) Action by the player. When the offside player runs behind the
team mate who last kicked, touched or carried the ball, the player
is put onside.
(b) Action by the ball carrier. When a team mate carrying the ball
runs in front of the offside player, that player is put onside.
(c) Action by the kicker or other onside player. When the
kicker, or team mate who was level with or behind the kicker when
(or after) the ball was kicked, runs in front of the offside player, the
player is put onside.
(d) When running forward, the team mate may be in touch or in
touch-in-goal, but that team mate must return to the playing area
to put the other player onside.
11.3 BEING PUT ONSIDE BY OPPONENTS
In general play, there are three ways by which an offside player can
be put onside by an action of the opposing team. These three ways
do not apply to a player who is offside under the 10-Metre law.
(a) Runs 5 metres with ball. When an opponent carrying the ball
runs 5 metres, the offside player is put onside.
(b) Kicks or passes. When an opponent kicks or passes the ball, the
offside player is put onside.
(c) Intentionally touches ball. When an opponent intentionally
touches the ball but does not catch it, the offside player is put
onside.
11.4 OFFSIDE UNDER THE 10-METRE LAW
(a) When a team mate of an offside player has kicked ahead, the
offside player is considered to be taking part in the game if the
player is in front of an imaginary line across the field which is 10
metres from the opponent waiting to play the ball, or from where
the ball lands or may land. The offside player must immediately
move behind the imaginary 10-metre line. While moving away,
the player must not obstruct an opponent.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) While moving away, the offside player cannot be put onside by
any action of the opposing team. However, before the player has
moved the full 10 metres, the player can be put onside by any
onside team mate who runs in front of the player.
(c) When a player who is offside under the 10-Metre law charges an
opponent waiting to catch the ball, the referee blows the whistle
at once and the offside player is penalised. Delay may prove
dangerous to the opponent.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) When a player who is offside under the 10-Metre law plays the ball
which has been misfielded by an opponent, the offside player is
penalised.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) The 10-Metre law is not altered by the fact that the ball has hit a
goal post or a crossbar. What matters is where the ball lands. An
offside player must not be in front of the imaginary 10-metre line
across the field.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f)The 10-Metre law does not apply when a player kicks the ball, and
an opponent charges down the kick, and a team mate of the kicker
who was in front of the imaginary 10-metre line across the field
then plays the ball. The opponent was not 'waiting to play the ball'
and the team mate is onside.
Penalty: When a player is penalised for being offside in general
play, the opposing team chooses either a penalty kick at the place
of infringement or a scrum at the place where the offending team
last played the ball. If it was last played in that team's in-goal, the
scrum is formed 5 metres from the goal line in line with where it
was played.
(g) If more than one player is offside and moving forward after a team
mate has kicked ahead, the place of infringement is the position of
the offside player closest to an opponent waiting for the ball, or
closest to where the ball lands.
11.5 BEING PUT ONSIDE UNDER THE 10-METRE LAW
(a) The offside player must retire behind the imaginary 10-metre line
across the field, otherwise the player is liable to be penalised.
(b) While retiring, the player can be put onside before moving behind
the imaginary 10-metre line by any of the three actions of the
player's team listed above in 11.2. However, the player cannot be
put onside by any action of the opposing team.
11.6 ACCIDENTAL OFFSIDE
(a) When an offside player cannot avoid being touched by the ball or
by a team mate carrying it, the player is accidentally offside. If the
player's team gains no advantage from this, play continues. If the
player's team gains an advantage, a scrum is formed with the
opposing team throwing in the ball.
(b) When a player hands the ball to a team mate in front of the first
player, the receiver is offside. Unless the receiver is considered to
be intentionally offside (in which case a penalty kick is awarded),
the receiver is accidentally offside and a scrum is formed with the
opposing team throwing in the ball.
11.7 OFFSIDE AFTER A KNOCK ON
When a player knocks-on and an offside team mate next plays the
ball, the offside player is liable to penalty if playing the ball
prevented an opponent from gaining an advantage.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
11.8 PUTTING ONSIDE A PLAYER RETIRING DURING A
RUCK, MAUL, SCRUM OR LINEOUT
When a ruck, maul, scrum or lineout forms, a player who is offside
and is retiring as required by law remains offside even when the
opposing team wins possession and the ruck, maul, scrum or
lineout has ended. The player is put onside by retiring behind the
applicable offside line. No other action of the offside player and no
action of that player's team mates can put the offside player
onside.
If the player remains offside the player can be put onside only by
the action of the opposing team. There are two such actions:
Opponent runs 5 meters with ball. When an opponent
carrying the ball has run 5 meters, the offside player is put onside.
An offside player is not put onside when an opponent passes the
ball. Even if the opponents pass the ball several times, their action
does not put the offside player onside.
Opponent kicks. When an opponent kicks the ball, the offside
player is put onside.
11.9 LOITERING
A player who remains in an offside position is loitering. A loiterer
who prevents the opposing team from playing the ball as they
wish is taking part in the game, and is penalised. The referee makes
sure that the loiterer does not benefit from being put onside by the
opposing teamís action.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
LAW 12 KNOCK ON OR THROW FORWARD
DEFINITION KNOCK ON
A knock on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goes
forward, or when a player hits the ball forward with the hand or arm,
or when the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward, and the ball
touches the ground or another player before the original player can
catch it.
'Forward' means towards the opposing team's dead ball line.
EXCEPTION
Charge down. If a player charges down the ball as an opponent kicks
it, or immediately after the kick, it is not a knock on even though the
ball may travel forward.
DEFINITION THROW FORWARD
A throw forward occurs when a player throws or passes the ball
forward. 'Forward' means towards the opposing teamís dead ball line.
EXCEPTION
Bounce forward. If the ball is not thrown forward but it hits a
player or the ground and bounces forward, this is not a throw forward.
12.1 THE OUTCOME OF A KNOCK ON OR THROW
FORWARD
(a) Unintentional knock on or throw forward. A scrum is
awarded at the place of infringement.
(b) Unintentional knock on or throw forward at a lineout. A
scrum is awarded 15 metres from the touchline.
(c) Knock on or throw forward into the in-goal. If an attacking
player knocks-on or throws-forward in the field of play and the
ball goes into the opponentsí in-goal and it is made dead there, a
scrum is awarded where the knock on or throw forward happened.
(d) Knock on or throw forward inside the in-goal. If a player
of either team knocks-on or throws-forward inside the in-goal, a 5-
metre scrum is awarded in line with the place of infringement not
closer than 5 metres from the touchline.
(e) Intentional knock or throw forward. A player must not
intentionally knock the ball forward with hand or arm, nor throw
forward.
Penalty: Penalty Kick. A penalty try must be awarded if the
offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been
scored.
During the Match
In the Field of Play
Law 13 Kick off and Restart Kicks
Law 14 Ball on the Ground:No Tackle
Law 15 Tackle:Ball carrier Brought to Ground
Law 16 Ruck
Law 17 Maul
Law 18 Mark
LAW 13 KICK OFF AND RESTART KICKS
DEFINITION
The kickoff occurs at the start of the match and the restart of the match
after half time. Restart kicks occur after a score or a touch down.
13.1 WHERE AND HOW THE KICKOFF IS TAKEN
(a) A team kicks off with a drop kick which must be taken at or behind
the centre of the half-way line.
(b) If the ball is kicked off by the wrong type of kick, or from the
incorrect place, the opposing team has two choices:
To have the ball kicked off again, or
To have a scrum at the centre of the half-way line and they throw
in the ball.
13.2 WHO TAKES THE KICKOFF AND RESTART KICK
(a) At the start of the game, the team whose captain elected to take the
kick after winning the toss will kickoff, or the opposing team if the
winning captain elected to choose an end.
(b) After the half time interval, the opponents of the team who kicked
off at the start of the game kick off.
(c) After a score the opponents of the team who scored restart play.
13.3 POSITION OF THE KICKERíS TEAM AT A KICK OFF
All the kicker's team must be behind the ball when it is kicked. If
they are not, a scrum is formed at the centre. Their opponents
throw in the ball.
13.4 POSITION OF THE OPPOSING TEAM AT A KICK OFF
All the opposing team must stand on or behind the 10-metre line.
If they are in front of that line or if they charge before the ball is
kicked, it is kicked off again.
13.5 KICK OFF OF 10 METRES
If the ball reaches the opponents' 10-metre line or reaches the 10-
metre line and is blown back, play continues.
13.6 KICK OFF OF UNDER 10 METRES BUT PLAYED BY
AN OPPONENT
If the ball does not reach the opponent's 10-metre line but is first
played by an opponent, play continues.
13.7 KICK OFF OF UNDER 10 METRES AND NOT PLAYED
BY AN OPPONENT
If the ball does not reach the opponent's 10-metre line the
opposing team has two choices:
To have the ball kicked off again, or
To have a scrum at the centre. They throw in the ball.
13.8 BALL GOES DIRECTLY INTO TOUCH
The ball must land in the field of play. If it is kicked directly into
touch the opposing team has three choices:
To have the ball kicked off again, or
To have a scrum at the centre and they have the throw in, or
To accept the kick.
If they accept the kick, the lineout is on the half-way line. If the
ball is blown behind the half-way line and goes directly into
touch, the lineout is at the place where it went into touch.
13.9 BALL GOES INTO THE IN-GOAL
(a) If the ball is kicked into the in-goal without having touched or
been touched by a player, the opposing team has three choices:
To ground the ball, or
To make it dead, or
To play on.
(b) If the opposing team grounds the ball, or if they make it dead, or
if the ball becomes dead by going into touch-in-goal or on or over
the dead ball line, they have two choices:
To have a scrum formed at the centre, and they throw in the ball,
or
To have the other team kick off again.
(c) If they opt to ground the ball or make it dead, they must do so
without delay. Any other action with the ball by a defending
player means the player has elected to play on.
13.10 DROP OUT
DEFINITION
A drop out is used to restart play after an attacking player has put or
taken the ball into the in-goal, without infringement, and a defending
player has made the ball dead there or it has gone into touch-in-goal
or on or over the dead ball line.
A drop out is a drop kick taken by the defending team. The drop out
may be taken anywhere on or behind the 22-metre line.
13.11 DELAY IN DROP OUT
The drop out must be taken without delay.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 22-metre line.
13.12 DROP OUT INCORRECTLY TAKEN
If the ball is kicked with the wrong type of kick, or from the wrong
place, the opposing team has two choices:
To have another drop out, or
To have a scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line and they throw
in the ball.
13.13 DROP OUT MUST CROSS THE LINE
(a) If the ball does not cross the 22-metre line, the opposing team has
two choices:
To have another drop out, or
To have a scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line.
They throw in the ball.
(b) If the ball crosses the 22-metre line but is blown back, play
continues.
(c) If the ball does not cross the 22-metre line, advantage may apply.
An opponent who plays the ball can score a try.
13.14 DROP OUT GOES DIRECTLY INTO TOUCH
The ball must land in the field of play. If it is kicked directly into
touch, the opposing team has three choices:
To have another drop out, or
To have a scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line, and they throw in the ball, or
To accept the kick. If they accept the kick, the throw in is on the 22-metre line.
13.15 DROP OUT GOES INTO THE OPPONENTS IN-GOAL
(a) If the ball is kicked into the opponent’s in-goal without having
touched or been touched by a player, the opposing team has three choices:
To ground the ball, or
To make it dead, or
To play on.
(b) If the opposing team grounds the ball, or makes it dead, or if the
ball becomes dead by going into touch-in-goal or on or over the
dead ball line, they have two choices:
To have a scrum formed at the centre of the 22-metre line from
where the kick was taken and they throw in the ball, or
To have the other team drop out again.
(c) If they opt to ground the ball or make it dead, they must do so
without delay. Any other action with the ball by a defending
player means the player has elected to play on.
13.16 THE KICKER’S TEAM
(a) All the kicker’s team must be behind the ball when it is kicked. If
not, a scrum is formed at the centre of the 22-metre line. The
opposing team throws in the ball.
(b) However, if the kick is taken so quickly that players of the kicker’s
team who are retiring are still in front of the ball, they will not be
penalised. They must not stop retiring until they have been made
onside by an action of a team mate. They must not take part in
the game until they have been made onside in this way.
Penalty: Scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line. The opposing team throws in the ball.
13.17 THE OPPOSING TEAM
(a) The opposing team must not charge over the 22-metre line before the ball is kicked.
Penalty: Free Kick at the place of infringement.
(b) If an opponent is on the wrong side of the 22-metre line and delays
or obstructs the drop out, the player is guilty of misconduct.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 22-metre line
LAW 14 BALL ON THE GROUND - NO TACKLE
DEFINITION
This situation occurs when the ball is available on the ground and a
player goes to ground to gather the ball, except immediately after a scrum or a ruck.
It also occurs when a player is on the ground in possession of the ball
and has not been tackled.
The game is to be played by players who are on their feet. A player
must not make the ball unplayable by falling down. Unplayable
means that the ball is not immediately available to either team so that
play may continue.
A player who makes the ball unplayable, or who obstructs the
opposing team by falling down, is negating the purpose and spirit of
the game and must be penalised.
A player who is not tackled, but who goes to ground while holding the
ball, or a player who goes to ground and gathers the ball, must act
immediately.
14.1 PLAYER ON THE GROUND
The player must immediately do one of three things:
Get up with the ball, or
Pass the ball, or
Release the ball.
A player who passes or releases the ball must also get up or move
away from it at once. Advantage is played only if it happens immediately.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
14.2 WHAT THE PLAYER MUST NOT DO
(a) Lying on or around the ball. A player must not lie on, over,
or near the ball to prevent opponents getting possession of it.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) Falling over the player on the ground with the ball. A
player must not intentionally fall on or over a player with the ball
who is lying on the ground.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) Falling over players lying on the ground near the ball. A
player must not intentionally fall on or over players lying on the
ground with the ball between them or near them.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
LAW 15 TACKLE: BALL CARRIER BROUGHT TO THE GROUND
DEFINITION
A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents
and is brought to ground.
A ball carrier who is not held is not a tackled player and a tackle has
not taken place.
Opposition players who hold the ball carrier and bring that player to
ground, and who also go to ground, are known as tacklers.
Opposition players who hold the ball carrier and do not go to ground
are not tacklers.
15.1 WHERE CAN A TACKLE TAKE PLACE
A tackle can only take place in the field of play.
15.2 WHEN A TACKLE CANNOT TAKE PLACE
When the ball carrier is held by one opponent and a team mate
binds on to that ball carrier, a maul has been formed and a tackle
cannot take place.
15.3 BROUGHT TO THE GROUND DEFINED
(a) If the ball carrier has one knee or both knees on the ground, that
player has been ‘brought to ground’.
(b) If the ball carrier is sitting on the ground, or on top of another
player on the ground the ball carrier has been ‘brought to ground’.
15.4 THE TACKLER
(a) When a player tackles an opponent and they both go to ground,
the tackler must immediately release the tackled player.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) The tackler must immediately get up or move away from the
tackled player and from the ball at once.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) The tackler must get up before playing the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
15.5 THE TACKLED PLAYER
(a) A tackled player must not lie on, over, or near the ball to prevent
opponents from gaining possession of it, and must try to make the
ball available immediately so that play can continue.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) A tackled player must immediately pass the ball or release it. That
player must also get up or move away from it at once.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) A tackled player may release the ball by putting it on the ground
in any direction, provided this is done immediately.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) A tackled player may release the ball by pushing it along the
ground in any direction except forward, provided this is done immediately.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) If opposition players who are on their feet attempt to play the ball,
the tackled player must release the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f) If a tackled player’s momentum carries the player into the in-goal,
the player can score a try or make a touch down.
(g) If players are tackled near the goal line, these players may
immediately reach out and ground the ball on or over the goal line
to score a try or make a touch down.
15.6 OTHER PLAYERS
(a) After a tackle, all other players must be on their feet when they
play the ball. Players are on their feet if no other part of their body
is supported by the ground or players on the ground.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) After a tackle any players on their feet may attempt to gain
possession by taking the ball from the ball carriers possession.
(c) At a tackle or near to a tackle, other players who play the ball must
do so from behind the ball and from directly behind the tackled
player or the tackler closest to those players’ goal line.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) Any player who gains possession of the ball at the tackle must play
the ball immediately by moving away or passing or kicking the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) Any player who first gains possession of the ball must not go to the
ground at the tackle or near to it unless tackled by an opposition player.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f) Any player who first gains possession of the ball at the tackle or
near to it may be tackled by an opposition player providing that
player does so from behind the ball and from directly behind the
tackled player or the tackler closest to that player’s goal line.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(g) After a tackle, any player lying on the ground must not prevent an
opponent from getting possession of the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(h) After a tackle, any player on the ground must not tackle an
opponent or try to tackle an opponent
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(i) When a tackled player reaches out to ground the ball on or over
the goal line to score a try, an opponent may pull the ball from the
players possession, but must not kick the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
Exception: Ball goes into the in-goal. After a tackle near the goal
line, if the ball has been released and has gone into the in-goal any
player, including a player on the ground, may ground the ball.
15.7 FORBIDDEN PRACTICES
(a) No player may prevent the tackled player from passing the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) No player may prevent the tackled player from releasing the ball
and getting up or moving away from it.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) No player may fall on or over the tackled player.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) No player may fall on or over the players lying on the ground after
a tackle with the ball between or near to them.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) Players on their feet must not charge or obstruct an opponent who is not near the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f) Danger may arise if a tackled player fails to release the ball or move
away from it immediately, or if that player is prevented from so
doing. If either of these happens the referee awards a penalty kick immediately.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
15.8 DOUBT ABOUT FAILURE TO COMPLY
If the ball becomes unplayable at a tackle and there is doubt about
which player did not conform to Law, the referee orders a scrum
immediately with the throw in by the team that was moving
forward prior to the stoppage or, if no team was moving forward, by the attacking team.
LAW 16 RUCK
DEFINITIONS
A ruck is a phase of play where one or more players from each team,
who are on their feet, in physical contact, close around the ball on the
ground. Open play has ended.
Rucking. Players are rucking when they are in a ruck and using their
feet to try to win or keep possession of the ball, without being guilty of
foul play.
16.1 FORMING A RUCK
(a) Where can a ruck take place. A ruck can take place only in
the field of play.
(b) How can a ruck form. Players are on their feet. At least one
player must be in physical contact with an opponent. The ball is on the ground.
16.2 JOINING A RUCK
(a) All players forming, joining or taking part in a ruck must have
their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.
Penalty: Free Kick
(b) A player joining a ruck must bind onto the ruck with at least one
arm around the body of a team mate, using the whole arm.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) Placing a hand on another player in the ruck does not constitute binding.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) All players forming, joining or taking part in a ruck must be on
their feet.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
16.3 RUCKING
(a) Players in a ruck must endeavour to stay on their feet.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) A player must not intentionally fall or kneel in a ruck. This is
dangerous play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) A player must not intentionally collapse a ruck. This is dangerous play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) A player must not jump on top of a ruck.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) Players must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.
Penalty: Free Kick
(f) A player rucking for the ball must not ruck players on the ground.
A player rucking for the ball tries to step over players on the
ground and must not intentionally step on them. A player rucking
must do so near the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick for dangerous play
16.4 OTHER RUCK OFFENCES
(a) Players must not return the ball into a ruck.
Penalty: Free Kick
(b) Players must not handle the ball in a ruck.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) Players must not pick up the ball in a ruck with their legs.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) Players on the ground in or near the ruck must try to move away
from the ball. These players must not interfere with the ball in the
ruck or as it comes out of the ruck.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) A player must not fall on or over a ball as it is coming out of a ruck.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f) A player must not take any action to make the opposing team
think that the ball is out of the ruck while it is still in the ruck.
Penalty: Free Kick
16.5 OFFSIDE AT THE RUCK
(a) The offside line. There are two offside lines parallel to the goal
lines, one for each team. Each offside line runs through the
hindmost foot of the hindmost player in the ruck. If the hindmost
foot of the hindmost player is on or behind the goal line, the
offside line for the defending team is the goal line.
(b) Players must either join a ruck, or retire behind the offside line
immediately. If a player loiters at the side of a ruck, the player is offside.
(c) Players joining or rejoining the ruck. All players joining a
ruck must do so from behind the foot of the hindmost team mate
in the ruck. A player may join alongside this hindmost player. If
the player joins the ruck from the opponents’ side, or in front of
the hindmost team mate, the player is offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s offside line
(d) Players not joining the ruck. If a player is in front of the
offside line and does not join the ruck, the player must retire
behind the offside line at once. If a player who is behind the
offside line oversteps it and does not join the ruck the player is offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s offside line
16.6 SUCCESSFUL END TO A RUCK
A ruck ends successfully when the ball leaves the ruck, or when the
ball is on or over the goal line.
16.7 UNSUCCESSFUL END TO A RUCK
(a) A ruck ends unsuccessfully when the ball becomes unplayable and a scrum is ordered.
The team that was moving forward immediately before the ball
became unplayable in the ruck throws in the ball.
If neither team was moving forward, or if the referee cannot decide
which team was moving forward before the ball became
unplayable in the ruck, the team that was moving forward before
the ruck began throws in the ball.
If neither team was moving forward, then the attacking team
throws in the ball.
(b) Before the referee blows the whistle for a scrum, the referee allows
a reasonable amount of time for the ball to emerge, especially if
either team is moving forward. If the ruck stops moving, or if the
referee decides that the ball will probably not emerge within a
reasonable time, the referee must order a scrum.
LAW 17 MAUL
DEFINITION
A maul occurs when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more
opponents, and one or more of the ball carrier’s team mates bind on
the ball carrier. A maul therefore consists of at least three players, all
on their feet; the ball carrier and one player from each team. All the
players involved must be caught in or bound to the maul and must be
on their feet and moving towards a goal line. Open play has ended.
17.1 FORMING A MAUL
(a) Where can a maul take place. A maul can only take place in the field of play.
Maul
17.2 JOINING A MAUL
(a) Players joining a maul must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.
Penalty: Free Kick
(b) A player must be caught in or bound to the maul and not just alongside it.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) Placing a hand on another player in the maul does not constitute binding.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) Keeping players on their feet. Players in a maul must endeavour to stay on their feet.
The ball carrier in a maul may go to ground providing the ball is available immediately
and play continues.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) A player must not intentionally collapse a maul. This is dangerous play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f) A player must not jump on top of a maul.
17.3 OTHER MAUL OFFENCES
(a) A player must not try to drag an opponent out of a maul.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) A player must not take any action to make the opposing team
think that the ball is out of the maul while it is still in the maul.
Penalty: Free Kick
17.4 OFFSIDE AT THE MAUL
(a) The offside line. There are two offside lines parallel to the goal
lines, one for each team. Each offside line runs through the
hindmost foot of the hindmost player in the maul. If the hindmost
foot of the hindmost player is on or behind the goal line, the
offside line for the defending team is the goal line.
(b) A player must either join a maul, or retire behind the offside line
immediately. If a player loiters at the side of a maul, the player is offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s offside line
(c) Players joining the maul. Players joining a maul must do so
from behind the foot of the hindmost team mate in the maul. The
player may join alongside this player. If the player joins the maul
from the opponents’ side, or in front of the hindmost team mate,
the player is offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s offside line
(d) Players not joining the maul. All players in front of the offside
line and who do not join the maul, must retire behind the offside
line at once. A player who does not do so, is offside. If any player
who is behind the offside line oversteps it and does not join the
maul, the player is offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s offside line
(e) Players leaving or rejoining the maul. Players who leave a
maul must immediately retire behind the offside line, otherwise,
they are offside. If the player rejoins the maul in front of the
hindmost team mate in the maul, they are offside. The player may
rejoin the maul alongside the hindmost team mate.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s offside line
17.5 SUCCESSFUL END TO A MAUL
A maul ends successfully when the ball or a player with the ball
leaves the maul. A maul ends successfully when the ball is on the
ground, or is on or over the goal line.
17.6 UNSUCCESSFUL END TO A MAUL
(a) A maul ends unsuccessfully if it remains stationary or has stopped
moving forward for longer than 5 seconds and a scrum is ordered.
(b) A maul ends unsuccessfully if the ball becomes unplayable or
collapses (not as a result of foul play) and a scrum is ordered.
(c) Scrum following maul. The ball is thrown in by the team not
in possession when the maul began. If the referee cannot decide
which team had possession, the team moving forward before the
maul stopped throws in the ball. If neither team was moving
forward, the attacking team throws in the ball.
(d) When a maul remains stationary or has stopped moving forward
for more than 5 seconds, but the ball is being moved and the
referee can see it, a reasonable time is allowed for the ball to
emerge. If it does not emerge within a reasonable time, a scrum is ordered.
(e) When a maul has stopped moving forward it may start moving
forward again providing it does so within 5 seconds. If the maul
stops moving forward a second time and if the ball is being moved
and the referee can see it, a reasonable time is allowed for the ball
to emerge. If it does not emerge within a reasonable time, a scrum is ordered.
(f) When the ball in a maul becomes unplayable, the referee does not
allow prolonged wrestling for it. A scrum is ordered.
(g) If the ball carrier in a maul goes to ground, including being on one
or both knees or sitting, the referee orders a scrum unless the ball
is immediately available.
(h) Scrum after a maul when catcher is held. If a player catches
the ball direct from an opponent’s kick, except from a kick off or a
drop out, and the player is immediately held by an opponent, a
maul may form. Then if the maul remains stationary, stops
moving forward for longer than 5 seconds, or if the ball becomes
unplayable, and a scrum is ordered, the team of the ball catcher
throws in the ball.
‘Direct from an opponent’s kick’ means the ball did not touch
another player or the ground before the player caught it.
If a maul moves into the player’s in-goal, where the ball is touched
down or becomes unplayable, a 5-metre scrum is formed. The
attacking team throws in the ball.
LAW 18 MARK
DEFINITION
To make a mark, a player must be on or behind that player’s 22-metre
line. A player with one foot on the 22-metre line or behind it is
considered to be ‘in the 22’. The player must make a clean catch direct
from an opponent’s kick and at the same time shout “Mark”. A mark
cannot be made from a kick off, or a restart kick except for a drop out.
A kick is awarded for a mark. The place for the kick is the place of the mark.
A player may make a mark even though the ball touched a goal post or
crossbar before being caught.
A player from the defending team may make a mark in in-goal.
18.1 AFTER A MARK
The referee immediately blows the whistle and awards a kick to the
player who made the mark.
18.2 KICK AWARDED
The kick is awarded at the place of the mark.
18.3 KICK - WHERE
The kick is taken at or behind the mark on a line through the mark.
18.4 WHO KICKS
The kick is taken by the player who made the mark. If that player
cannot take the kick within one minute, a scrum is formed at the
place of the mark with the ball thrown in by the player’s team. If
the mark is in the in-goal, the scrum is 5 metres from the goal line,
on a line through the mark.
18.5 HOW THE KICK IS TAKEN
The provisions of Law 21 - Free Kicks - apply to a kick awarded after a mark.
18.6 SCRUM ALTERNATIVE
(a) The team of the player who made the mark may choose to take a scrum.
(b) Where is the scrum. If the mark is in the field of play, the
scrum is at the place of the mark, but at least 5 metres from the
touchline. If the mark is in-goal, the scrum is 5 metres from the
goal line on a line through the mark, and at least 5 metres from the touchline.
(c) Who throws in. The team of the player who made the mark throws the ball in.
18.7 PENALTY KICK AWARDED
(a) An opponent, whether onside or offside, must not charge a player
who has made a mark after the referee has blown the whistle.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) Where the penalty kick is taken. If the infringing player is
onside, the penalty kick is taken at the place of the infringement.
If the infringing player is offside, the penalty kick is taken at the
place of the offside line (Law 11 offside and onside in General Play.)
(c) The penalty kick. Any player from the non-offending team
may take the penalty kick.
Restarts
Law 19 Touch and Lineout
Law 20 Scrum
Law 21 Penalty
LAW 19 TOUCH AND LINEOUT
DEFINITIONS
‘Kicked directly into touch’ means that the ball was kicked into touch
without landing on the playing area, and without touching a player or the referee.
‘The 22’ is the area between the goal line and the 22-metre line,
including the 22-metre line but excluding the goal line.
The line of touch is an imaginary line in the field of play at right angles
to the touchline through the place where the ball is thrown in.
The ball is in touch when it is not being carried by a player and it
touches the touchline or anything or anyone on or beyond the touchline.
The ball is in touch when a player is carrying it and the ball carrier (or
the ball) touches the touchline or the ground beyond the touchline.
The place where the ball carrier (or the ball) touched or crossed the
touchline is where it went into touch.
The ball is in touch if a player catches the ball and that player has a
foot on the touchline or the ground beyond the touchline.
If a player has one foot in the field of play and one foot in touch and
holds the ball, the ball is in touch.
If the ball crosses the touchline or touch-in-goal line, and is caught by
a player who has both feet in the playing area, the ball is not in touch
or touch-in-goal. Such a player may knock the ball into the playing area.
If a player jumps and catches the ball, both feet must land in the
playing area otherwise the ball is in touch or touch-in-goal.
A player in touch may kick or knock the ball, but not hold it, provided
it has not crossed the plane of the touchline. The plane of the
touchline is the vertical space rising immediately above the touchline.
19.1 THROW IN
NO GAIN IN GROUND
(a) Outside a team’s 22, a team member kicks directly into
touch. Except for a penalty kick, when a player anywhere in the
field of play who is outside the 22 kicks directly into touch, there
is no gain in ground. The throw in is taken either at the place
opposite where the player kicked the ball, or at the place where it
went into touch, whichever is nearer that player’s goal line.
(b) Player takes ball into that team’s 22. When a defending
player gets the ball outside the 22, takes or puts it inside the 22,
and then kicks directly into touch, there is no gain in ground.
GAIN IN GROUND
(c) Player inside that team’s 22. When a defending player gets
the ball inside the 22, or that player’s in-goal and kicks into touch,
the throw in is where the ball went into touch.
(d) Kicks indirectly into touch. When a player anywhere in the
playing area kicks indirectly into touch so that the ball bounces in
the field of play the throw in is taken where the ball went into touch.
When a player anywhere in the playing area kicks the ball so that
it touches or is touched by an opposition player and then goes
indirectly into touch so that the ball bounces in the field of play
the throw in is taken where the ball went into touch.
When a player anywhere in the playing area kicks the ball so that
it touches or is touched by an opposition player and then goes
directly into touch the throw in is taken in line with where the
opposition player touched the ball or where the ball crossed the
touchline if that is nearer the opposition player’s goal line.
(e) Penalty kick. When a player kicks to touch from a penalty kick
anywhere in the playing area, the throw in is taken where the ball
went into touch.
FREE KICK
(f) Outside the kicker’s 22, no gain in ground. When a free kick
awarded outside the 22 goes directly into touch, the throw in is in
line with where the ball was kicked, or where it went into touch,
whichever is nearer the kicker’s goal line.
(g) Inside the kicker’s 22 or in-goal, gain in ground. When a
free kick is awarded in the 22 or in-goal and the kick goes directly
into touch, the throw in is where the ball went into touch.
19.2 QUICK THROW IN
(a) A player may take a quick throw in without waiting for a lineout to form.
(b) For a quick throw in, the player may be anywhere outside the field
of play between the place where the ball went into touch and the player’s goal line.
(c) A player must not take a quick throw in after the lineout has
formed. If the player does, the quick throw in is disallowed. The
same team throws in at the lineout.
(d) For a quick throw in, the player must use the ball that went into
touch. If, after it went to touch and was made dead, another ball
is used, or if another person has touched the ball apart from the
player throwing it in, then the quick throw in is disallowed. The
same team throws in at the lineout.
(e) At a quick throw in, if the player does not throw the ball in straight
so that it travels at least 5 metres along the line of touch before it
touches the ground or a player, or if the player steps into the field
of play when the ball is thrown, then the quick throw in is
disallowed. The opposing team chooses to throw in at either a
lineout where the quick throw in was attempted, or a scrum on the
15-metre line at that place. If they too throw in the ball
incorrectly at the lineout, a scrum is formed on the 15-metre line.
The team that first threw in the ball throws in the ball at the scrum.
(f) At a quick throw in, a player may come to the line of touch and
leave without being penalised.
(g) At a quick throw in, a player must not prevent the ball being thrown in 5 metres.
Penalty: Free Kick on 15-metre line
(h) If a player carrying the ball is forced into touch, that player must
release the ball to an opposition player so that there can be a quick throw in.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on 15-metre line
19.3 OTHER THROW INS
On all other occasions, the throw in is taken where the ball went into touch.
19.4 WHO THROWS IN
The throw in is taken by an opponent of the player who last held
or touched the ball before it went into touch. When there is
doubt, the attacking team takes the throw in.
Exception: When a team takes a penalty kick, and the ball is
kicked into touch, the throw in is taken by a player of the team
that took the penalty kick. This applies whether the ball was
kicked directly or indirectly into touch.
19.5 HOW THE THROW IN IS TAKEN
The player taking the throw in must stand at the correct place. The
player must not step into the field of play when the ball is thrown.
The ball must be thrown straight, so that it travels at least 5 metres
along the line of touch before it first touches the ground or
touches or is touched by a player.
19.6 INCORRECT THROW IN
(a) If the throw in at a lineout is incorrect, the opposing team has the
choice of throwing in at a lineout or a scrum on the 15-metre line.
If they choose the throw in to the lineout and it is again incorrect,
a scrum is formed. The team that took the first throw in throws in the ball.
(b) The throw in at the lineout must be taken without delay and
without pretending to throw.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(c) A player must not intentionally or repeatedly throw the ball in not straight.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
LINEOUT DEFINITIONS
The purpose of the lineout is to restart play, quickly, safely and fairly,
after the ball has gone into touch, with a throw in between two lines
of players.
Lineout players. Lineout players are the players who form the two
lines that make a lineout.
Receiver. The receiver is the player in position to catch the ball when
lineout players pass or knock the ball back from the lineout. Any
player may be the receiver but each team may have only one receiver at a lineout.
Players taking part in the lineout known as participating
players. Players taking part in the lineout are the player who throws-
in and an immediate opponent, the two players waiting to receive the
ball from the lineout and the lineout players.
All other players. All other players who are not taking part in the
lineout must be at least 10 metres behind the line of touch, on or
behind their goal line if that is nearer, until the lineout ends.
15-metre line. The 15-metre line is 15 metres infield and parallel
with the touchline.
Scrum after lineout. Any scrum ordered because of an infringement
or stoppage at the lineout is on the 15-metre line on the line of touch.
19.7 FORMING A LINEOUT
(a) Minimum. At least two players from each team must form a lineout.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(b) Maximum. The team throwing in the ball decides the maximum
number of players in the lineout.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(c) The opposing team may have fewer lineout players but they must not have more.
(d) When the ball is in touch, every player who approaches the line of
touch is presumed to do so to form a lineout. Players who
approach the line of touch must do so without delay. Players of
either team must not leave the lineout once they have taken up a
position in the lineout until the lineout has ended.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(e) If the team throwing in the ball put fewer than the usual number
of players in the lineout, their opponents must be given a
reasonable time to move enough players out of the lineout to satisfy this Law.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(f) These players must leave the lineout without delay. They must
move to the offside line, 10 metres behind the line of touch. If the
lineout ends before they reach this line, they may rejoin play.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(g) Failure to form a lineout. A team must not voluntarily fail to form a lineout.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(h) Where the lineout players must stand. The front of the
lineout is not less than 5 metres from the touchline. The back of
the lineout is not more than 15 metres from the touchline. All
lineout players must stand between these two points.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(i) Two single straight lines. The lineout players of both teams
form two single parallel lines each at right angles to the touchline.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(j) Opposing players forming a lineout must keep a clear space
between their inside shoulders. This space is determined when
players are in an upright stance.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(k) Metre gap. Each line of players must be half a metre on their side of the line of touch.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(l) The line of touch must not be within 5 metres of the goal line.
(m) After the lineout has formed, but before the ball has been thrown
in, a player must not hold, push, charge into, or obstruct an opponent.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
19.8 BEGINNING AND ENDING A LINEOUT
(a) Lineout begins. The lineout begins when the ball leaves the
hands of the player throwing it in.
(b) Lineout ends. The lineout ends when the ball or a player
carrying it leaves the lineout.
This includes the following:
When the ball is thrown, knocked or kicked out of the lineout, the
lineout ends.
When the ball or a player carrying the ball moves into the area
between the 5-metre line and the touchline, the lineout ends.
When a lineout player hands the ball to a player who is peeling off,
the lineout ends.
When the ball is thrown beyond the 15-metre line, or when a
player takes or puts it beyond that line, the lineout ends.
When a ruck or maul develops in a lineout, and all the feet of all
the players in the ruck or maul move beyond the line of touch, the
lineout ends.
When the ball becomes unplayable in a lineout, the lineout ends.
Play restarts with a scrum.
19.9 OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN A LINEOUT
(a) Offside. A lineout player must not be offside. The offside line
runs through the line of touch until the ball is thrown in. After the
ball has touched a player or the ground, the offside line is a line
through the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(b) Players jumping for the ball may take a step in any direction
providing they do not step across the line of touch.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(c) Levering on an opponent. A lineout player must not use an
opponent as a support when jumping.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(d) Holding or shoving. A lineout player must not hold, push,
charge, obstruct or grasp an opponent not holding the ball except
when a ruck or maul is taking place.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(e) Illegal charging. A lineout player must not charge an opponent
except in an attempt to tackle the opponent or to play the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(f) Levering on a team mate. A jumping lineout player must not
use a team mate as a support to jump.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(g) Lifting. A lineout player must not lift a team mate.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(h) Support before jumping. A player must not support a team
mate before the team mate has jumped.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(i) Jumping or supporting before the ball is thrown. A player
must not jump for the ball or support any player before the ball
has left the hands of the player throwing it in.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(j) Pre-grip below the waist. A player must not pre-grip any team mate below the waist.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(k) Support of a player. A player must not support a jumping team
mate below the shorts from behind or below the thighs from the front.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15 metre line
(l) Lowering a Player. Players who support a jumping team mate
must lower that player to the ground as soon as the ball has been
won by a player of either team.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(m) Blocking the throw in. A lineout player must not stand less
than 5 metres from the touchline. A lineout player must not
prevent the ball being thrown in 5 metres.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(n) When the ball has been thrown beyond a player in the lineout,
that player may move to the space between the touchline and the
5-metre line. If the player moves into that space the player must
not move towards that player’s goal line before the lineout ends,
except in a peeling off movement.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
(o) Catching or deflecting. When jumping for the ball, a player
must use either both hands or the inside arm to try to catch or
deflect the ball. The jumper must not use the outside arm alone
to try to catch or deflect the ball. If the jumper has both hands above
the head either hand may be used to play the ball.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line
19.10 OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO PLAYERS NOT IN THE LINEOUT
In general, a player not taking part in a lineout must stay at least
10 metres behind the line of touch, or on or behind that player’s
goal line if that is nearer, until the lineout ends.
There are two exceptions to this:
Exception 1: Long throw in. If the player who is throwing in
throws the ball beyond the 15-metre line, a player of the same
team may run forward to take the ball. If that player does so, an
opponent may also run forward.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s offside line, opposite the place of
infringement but not less than 15 metres from the touchline.
Exception 2: The receiver may run into the gap and perform any
of the actions available to any other player in the lineout. The
receiver is liable to penalty for offences in the lineout as would be
other players in the lineout.
19.11 PEELING OFF
DEFINITIONS
A lineout player ‘peels off’ when leaving the lineout to catch the ball
knocked or passed back by a team mate.
(a) When: A player must not peel off until the ball has left the hands
of the player throwing it in.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line, in line with the line of touch.
(b) A player who peels off, must stay within the area from that players’
line of touch to 10 metres from the line of touch, and must keep
moving until the lineout has ended.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line, in line with the line of touch.
(c) Players may change their positions in the lineout before the ball is thrown in.
19.12 OFFSIDE AT THE LINEOUT
(a) When a lineout forms, there are two separate offside lines, parallel
to the goal lines, for the teams.
(b) Participating players. One offside line applies to the players
taking part in the lineout (usually some or all of the forwards, plus
the scrum half and the player throwing in). Until the ball is
thrown in, and has touched a player or the ground, this offside
line is the line of touch. After that, the offside line is a line through the ball.
(c) Players not taking part. The other offside line applies to the
players not taking part in the lineout (usually the backs). For
them, the offside line is 10 metres behind the line of touch or their
goal line, if that is nearer.
19.13 OFFSIDE WHEN TAKING PART IN THE LINEOUT
(a) Before the ball has touched a player or the ground. A
player must not overstep the line of touch. A player is offside, if,
before the ball has touched a player or the ground, that player
oversteps the line of touch, unless doing so while jumping for the
ball. The player must jump from that player’s side of the line of touch.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(b) If a player jumps and crosses the line of touch but fails to catch the
ball, that player is not penalised provided that player gets back
onside without delay.
(c) After the ball has touched a player or the ground. A player
not carrying the ball is offside if, after the ball has touched a player
or the ground, that player steps in front of the ball, unless tackling
(or trying to tackle) an opponent. Any attempt to tackle must start
from that player’s side of the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(d)The referee must penalise any player who, intentionally or not,
moves into an offside position without trying to win possession or
tackle an opponent.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(e) No player of either team participating in the lineout may leave the
lineout until it has ended.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
19.14 PLAYER THROWING-IN
There are four options available to the player throwing in (and the
thrower’s immediate opponent):
(a) The thrower may stay within 5 metres of the touchline.
(b) The thrower may retire to the offside line 10 metres behind the line of touch.
(c) The thrower may join the lineout as soon as the ball has been thrown in.
(d)The thrower may move into the receiver position if that position is empty.
If the thrower goes anywhere else, the thrower is offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
19.15 OFFSIDE WHEN NOT TAKING PART IN THE LINEOUT
(a) Before the lineout has ended. The offside line is 10 metres
behind the line of touch, or the player’s goal line, whichever is nearer.
A player who is not taking part in the lineout is offside if that
player oversteps the offside line before the lineout has ended.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s offside line
opposite the place of infringement, at least 15 metres from the touchline.
(b) Players not yet onside when the ball is thrown in. A player
may throw in the ball even if a team mate has not yet reached the
offside line. However, if this player is not trying to reach an onside
position without delay, this player is offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s offside line
opposite the place of infringement, at least 15 metres from the touchline
Exception: Long throw in. There is an exception to the Law of
offside at the lineout. It applies if the ball is thrown beyond the 15-
metre line. As soon as the ball leaves the hands of the player
throwing in, any players of the thrower’s team may run for the ball.
This means that a player taking part in the lineout may run infield
beyond the 15-metre line, and a player not taking part in the
lineout may run forward across the offside line.
If this happens, an opponent may also run infield or run forward.
However, if a player runs infield or runs forward to take a long
throw in, and the ball is not thrown beyond the 15-metre line, this
player is offside and must be penalised.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
For players taking part in the lineout: penalty kick is on the 15-metre line.
For players not taking part in the lineout: penalty kick is on the
offending team’s offside line at the place of infringement, at least
15 metres from the touchline.
19.16 OFFSIDE AT RUCKS OR MAULS IN THE LINEOUT
(a) When a ruck or a maul develops in a lineout the offside line for a
player taking part in the lineout no longer runs through the ball.
The offside line is now the hindmost foot of that player’s team in the ruck or maul.
(b) However, for players not taking part in the lineout, the offside line
is still 10 metres behind the line of touch. For these players, the
lineout does not end when a ruck or maul develops.
(c) It ends when the ruck or maul leaves the line of touch. For this to happen,
all the feet of all the players in the ruck or maul must have left the line of touch.
(d) A player taking part in the lineout must either join the ruck or maul, or retire
to the offside line and stay at that line, Otherwise that player is offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(e) The rest of the Law of ruck or maul applies. A player must not join
the ruck or maul from the opponents’ side.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
Players must not join it in front of the offside line. If they do, they are offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line
(f) Players not taking part in the lineout. When a ruck or maul
develops in a lineout, the lineout has not ended until all the feet
of all the players in the ruck or maul have moved beyond the line of touch.
Until then, the offside line for players not taking part in the
lineout is still 10 metres behind the line of touch, or the goal line
if that is nearer. A player who oversteps this offside line is offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offside line at least 15 metres from the touchline
LAW 20 SCRUMDEFINITIONS
The purpose of the scrum is to restart play quickly, safely and fairly,
after a minor infringement or a stoppage.
A scrum is formed in the field of play when eight players from each
team, bound together in three rows for each team, close up with their
opponents so that the heads of the front rows are interlocked. This
creates a tunnel into which a scrum half throws in the ball so that front
row players can compete for possession by hooking the ball with either of their feet.
The middle line of a scrum must not be within 5 metres of the goal
line. A scrum cannot take place within 5 metres of a touchline.
The tunnel is the space between the two front rows.
The player of either team who throws the ball into the scrum is the scrum half.
The middle line is an imaginary line on the ground in the tunnel
beneath the line where the shoulders of the two front rows meet.
The middle player in each front row is the hooker.
The players on either side of the hooker are the props. The left side
props are the loose head props. The right side props are the tight head props.
The two players in the second row who push on the props and the hooker are the locks.
The outside players who bind onto the second or third row are the flankers.
The player in the third row who usually pushes on both locks is the
No.8. Alternatively, the No. 8 may push on a lock and a flanker.
20.1 FORMING A SCRUM
(a) Where the scrum takes place. The place for a scrum is where the
infringement or stoppage happened, or as near to it as is
practicable in the field of play, unless otherwise stated in Law.
(b) If this is less than 5 metres from a touchline, the place for the
scrum is 5 metres from that touchline. A scrum can take place only
in the field of play. The middle line of a scrum must not be within
5 metres of the goal line when it is formed.
(c) If there is an infringement or stoppage in in-goal, the place for the
scrum is 5 metres from the goal line.
(d) The scrum is formed in line with the place of the infringement or stoppage.
(e) No delay. A team must not intentionally delay forming a scrum.
Penalty: Free Kick
(f) Number of players: eight. A scrum must have eight players
from each team. All eight players must stay bound to the scrum
until it ends. Each front row must have three players in it, no more
and no less. Two locks must form the second row.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
Exception : When a team is reduced to fewer than fifteen for any
reason, then the number of players of each team in the scrum may
be similarly reduced. Where a permitted reduction is made by one
team, there is no requirement for the other team to make a similar
reduction. However, a team must not have fewer than five players in the scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(g) Front rows coming together. First, the referee marks with a
foot the place where the scrum is to be formed. Before the two
front rows come together they must be standing not more than an
arm’s length apart. The ball is in the scrum half’s hands, ready to
be thrown in. The front rows must crouch so that when they meet,
each player’s head and shoulders are no lower than the hips. The
front rows must interlock so that no player’s head is next to the
head of a team mate.
Penalty: Free Kick
(h) The referee will call “crouch” then “touch”. The front rows crouch
and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the
opposing prop's outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their
arms. The referee will then call “pause”. Following a pause the
referee will then call “engage”. The front rows may then engage.
The “engage” call is not a command but an indication that the
front rows may come together when ready.
Penalty: Free Kick
(i) A crouched position is the extension of the normal stance by
bending the knees sufficiently to move into the engagement without a charge.
(j) Charging. A front row must not form at a distance from its
opponents and rush against them. This is dangerous play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(k) Stationary and parallel. Until the ball leaves the scrum half’s
hands, the scrum must be stationary and the middle line must be
parallel to the goal lines. A team must not shove the scrum away
from the mark before the ball is thrown in.
Penalty: Free Kick
20.2 FRONT-ROW PLAYERS’ POSITIONS
(a) All players in a position to shove. When a scrum has formed,
the body and feet of each front row player must be in a normal
position to make a forward shove.
Penalty: Free Kick
(b) This means that the front row players must have both feet on the
ground, with their weight firmly on at least one foot. Players must
not cross their feet, although the foot of one player may cross a
team mate’s foot. Each player’s shoulders must be no lower than the hips.
Penalty: Free Kick
(c) Hooker in a position to hook. Until the ball is thrown in, the
hooker must be in a position to hook the ball. The hookers must
have both feet on the ground, with their weight firmly on at least
one foot. A hooker’s foremost foot must not be in front of the
foremost foot of that team’s props.
Penalty: Free Kick
20.3 BINDING IN THE SCRUM
DEFINITION
When a player binds on a team mate that player must use the whole
arm from hand to shoulder to grasp the team mate’s body at or below
the level of the armpit. Placing only a hand on another player is not satisfactory binding.
(a) Binding by all front row players. All front row players must
bind firmly and continuously from the start to the finish of the scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) Binding by hookers. The hooker may bind either over or under
the arms of the props. The props must not support the hooker so
that the hooker has no weight on either foot.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) Binding by loose head props. A loose head prop must bind on
the opposing tight head prop by placing the left arm inside the
right arm of the tight head and gripping the tight head prop’s
jersey on the back or side. The loose head prop must not grip the
chest, arm, sleeve or collar of the opposition tight head prop. The
loose head prop must not exert any downward pressure.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) Binding by tight head props. A tight head prop must bind on
the opposing loose head prop by placing the right arm outside the
left upper arm of the opposing loose head prop. The tight head
prop must grip the loose head prop’s jersey with the right hand
only on the back or side. The tight head prop must not grip the
chest, arm, sleeve or collar of the opposition loose head prop. The
tight head prop must not exert any downward pressure.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) Both the loose head and tight head props may alter their bind
providing they do so in accordance with this Law.
(f) Binding by all other players. All players in a scrum, other
than front-row players, must bind on a lock’s body with at least
one arm. The locks must bind with the props in front of them. No
player other than a prop may hold an opponent.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(g) Flanker obstructing opposing scrum half. A flanker may
bind onto the scrum at any angle, provided the flanker is properly
bound. The flanker must not widen that angle and so obstruct the
opposing scrum half moving forward.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(h) Scrum collapse. If a scrum collapses, the referee must blow the
whistle immediately so that players stop pushing.
(i) Player forced upwards. If a player in a scrum is lifted in the air,
or is forced upwards out of the scrum, the referee must blow the
whistle immediately so that players stop pushing.
20.4 THE TEAM THROWING THE BALL INTO THE SCRUM
(a) After an infringement, the team that did not cause the
infringement throws in the ball.
(b) Scrum after ruck. Refer to Law 16.7.
(c) Scrum after maul. Refer to Law 17.6.
(d) Scrum after any other stoppage. After any other stoppage or
irregularity not covered by Law, the team that was moving forward
before the stoppage throws in the ball. If neither team was moving
forward, the attacking team throws in the ball.
(e) When a scrum remains stationary and the ball does not emerge
immediately a further scrum is ordered at the place of the
stoppage. The ball is thrown in by the team not in possession at
the time of the stoppage.
(f) When a scrum becomes stationary and does not start moving
immediately, the ball must emerge immediately. If it does not a
further scrum will be ordered. The ball is thrown in by the team
not in possession at the time of the stoppage.
(g) If a scrum collapses or lifts up into the air without penalty a further
scrum will be ordered and the team who originally threw in the
ball will throw the ball in again.
If a scrum has to be reformed for any other reason not covered in
this Law the team who originally threw in the ball will throw the
ball in again.
20.5 THROWING THE BALL INTO THE SCRUM
(a) No Delay. As soon as the front rows have come together, the
scrum half must throw in the ball without delay. The scrum half
must throw in the ball when told to do so by the referee. The
scrum half must throw in the ball from the side of the scrum first chosen.
Penalty: Free Kick
20.6 HOW THE SCRUM HALF THROWS IN THE BALL
(a) The scrum half must stand one metre from the mark on the middle
line so that player’s head does not touch the scrum or go beyond
the nearest front row player.
Penalty: Free Kick
(b) The scrum half must hold the ball with both hands, with its major
axis parallel to the ground and to the touchline over the middle
line between the front rows, mid-way between knee and ankle.
Penalty: Free Kick
(c) The scrum half must throw in the ball at a quick speed. The ball
must be released from the scrum half’s hands from outside the tunnel.
Penalty: Free Kick
(d) The scrum half must throw in the ball straight along the middle
line, so that it first touches the ground immediately beyond the
width of the nearer prop’s shoulders.
Penalty: Free Kick
(e) The scrum half must throw in the ball with a single forward
movement. This means that there must be no backward
movement with the ball. The scrum half must not pretend to throw the ball.
Penalty: Free Kick
20.7 WHEN THE SCRUM BEGINS
(a) Play in the scrum begins when the ball leaves the hands of the scrum half.
(b) If the scrum half throws in the ball and it comes out at either end
of the tunnel, the ball must be thrown in again unless a free kick
or penalty has been awarded.
(c) If the ball is not played by a front row player, and it goes straight
through the tunnel and comes out behind the foot of a far prop
without being touched, the scrum half must throw it in again.
(d) If the ball is played by a front row player and comes out of the
tunnel, advantage may apply.
20.8 FRONT-ROW PLAYERS
(a) Striking before the throw in (‘foot up’). All front row
players must place their feet to leave a clear tunnel. Until the ball
has left the scrum half’s hands, they must not raise or advance a
foot. They must not do anything to stop the ball being thrown in
to the scrum correctly or touching the ground at the correct place.
Penalty: Free Kick
(b) Striking after the throw in. Once the ball touches the ground
in the tunnel, any front row player may use either foot to try to
win possession of the ball.
(c) Kicking-out. A front row player must not intentionally kick the
ball out of the tunnel in the direction from which it was thrown in.
Penalty: Free Kick
(d) If the ball is kicked out unintentionally, the same team must throw it in again.
(e) If the ball is repeatedly kicked out, the referee must treat this as
intentional and penalise the offender.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f) Swinging. A front row player must not strike for the ball with
both feet. No player may intentionally raise both feet from the
ground, either when the ball is being thrown in or afterwards.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(g) Twisting, dipping or collapsing. Front row players must not twist
or lower their bodies, or pull opponents, or do anything that is likely
to collapse the scrum, either when the ball is being thrown in or afterwards.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(h) Referees must penalise strictly any intentional collapsing of the
scrum. This is dangerous play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(i) Lifting or forcing an opponent up. A front row player must
not lift an opponent in the air, or force an opponent upwards out
of the scrum, either when the ball is being thrown in or afterwards.
This is dangerous play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
20.9 SCRUM - GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
(a) All players: Collapsing. A player must not intentionally
collapse a scrum. A player must not intentionally fall or kneel in
a scrum. This is dangerous play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(b) All players: Handling in the scrum. Players must not handle
the ball in the scrum or pick it up with their legs.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) All players: Other restrictions on winning the ball.
Players must not try to win the ball in the scrum by using any part
of their body except their foot or lower leg.
Penalty: Free Kick
(d) All players: When the ball comes out, leave it out. When
the ball has left the scrum, a player must not bring it back in to the scrum.
Penalty: Free Kick
(e) All players: No falling on the ball. A player must not fall on
or over the ball as it is coming out of the scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f) Locks and flankers: Staying out of the tunnel. A player
who is not a front row player must not play the ball in the tunnel.
Penalty: Free Kick
(g) Scrum half: Kicking in the scrum. A scrum half must not
kick the ball while it is in the scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(h) Scrum half: Dummying. A scrum half must not take any
action to make the opponents think that the ball is out of the
scrum while it is still in the scrum.
Penalty: Free Kick
(i) Scrum half: Holding opposing flanker. A scrum half must
not grasp an opposing flanker in order to gain leverage, or for any other reason.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
20.10 ENDING THE SCRUM
(a) The ball comes out. When the ball comes out of the scrum in
any direction except the tunnel, the scrum ends.
(b) Scrum in the in-goal. A scrum cannot take place in the in-goal.
When the ball in a scrum is on or over the goal line, the scrum
ends and an attacker or a defender may legally ground the ball for
a try or a touch down.
(c) Hindmost player unbinds. The hindmost player in a scrum is
the player whose feet are nearest the team’s own goal line. If the
hindmost player unbinds from the scrum with the ball at that
player’s feet and picks up the ball, the scrum ends.
20.11 SCRUM WHEELED
(a) If a scrum is wheeled through more than 90 degrees, so that the
middle line has passed beyond a position parallel to the touchline,
the referee must stop play and order another scrum.
EXPERIMENTAL LAW VARIATION
(b) This new scrum is formed at the place where the previous scrum
ended. The ball is thrown in by the team not in possession at the
time of the stoppage. If neither team win possession, it is thrown
in by the team that previously threw it in.
20.12 OFFSIDE AT THE SCRUM
(a) When the scrum is set, the scrum half not throwing the ball into
the scrum must take up a position either at the same side of the
scrum as the scrum half throwing in the ball or behind the offside
line defined for other players.
(b) Offside for scrum-halves. When a team has won the ball in a
scrum, the scrum half of that team is offside if both feet are in
front of the ball while it is still in the scrum. If the scrum half has
only one foot in front of the ball, the scrum half is not offside.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(c) When a team has won the ball in a scrum, the scrum half of the
opposing team is offside if that scrum half steps in front of the ball
with either foot while the ball is still in the scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(d) The scrum half whose team does not win possession of the ball
must not move to the opposite side of the scrum and overstep the
offside line running through the hindmost foot of that player’s
team in the scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(e) The scrum half whose team does not win possession of the ball
must not move away from the scrum and then remain in front of
the offside line running through the hindmost foot of that player’s
team in the scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
(f) Any player may be scrum half, but a team can have only one scrum
half at each scrum.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offside line
(g) Offside for players not in the scrum. Players who are not in
the scrum, and who are not the team’s scrum half, are offside if
they remain in front of their offside line or overstep the offside line.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offside line
(h) Loitering. When a scrum is forming, players not taking part in
it must retire to their offside line without delay. If they do not,
they are loitering. Loiterers must be penalised.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offside line
LAW 21 PENALTY AND FREE KICKS
DEFINITION
Penalty kicks and free kicks are awarded to the non-offending team for
infringements by their opponents.
21.1 WHERE PENALTY AND FREE KICKS ARE AWARDED
Unless a Law states otherwise, the mark for a penalty or free kick is
at the place of infringement.
21.2 WHERE PENALTY AND FREE KICKS ARE TAKEN
(a) The kicker must take the penalty or free kick at the mark or
anywhere behind it on a line through the mark. If the place for a
penalty or free kick is within 5 metres of the opponents’ goal line,
the mark for the kick is 5 metres from the goal line, opposite the
place of infringement.
(b) When a penalty or free kick is awarded for an infringement in in-
goal, the mark for the kick is in the field of play, 5 metres from the
goal line, in line with the place of infringement.
Penalty: Any infringement by the kicker’s team results in a scrum
at the mark. The opposing team throws in the ball.
21.3 HOW THE PENALTY AND FREE KICKS ARE TAKEN
(a) Any player may take a penalty or free kick awarded for an
infringement with any type of kick: punt, drop kick or place kick.
The ball may be kicked with any part of the lower leg from knee to
the foot, excluding the knee and the heel.
(b) Bouncing the ball on the knee is not taking a kick.
Penalty: Any infringement by the kicker’s team results in a scrum
at the mark. The opposing team throws in the ball.
(c) The kicker must use the ball that was in play unless the referee
decides it was defective.
Penalty: Any infringement by the kicker’s team results in a scrum
at the mark. The opposing team throws in the ball.
21.4 PENALTY AND FREE KICK OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
(a) Scrum alternative. A team awarded a penalty or free kick may
choose a scrum instead. They throw in the ball.
(b) No delay. If a kicker indicates to the referee the intention to kick
a penalty kick at goal, the kick must be taken within one minute
from the time the player indicates the intention to kick at goal.
The intention to kick is signalled by the arrival of the kicking tee
or sand, or when the player makes a mark on the ground. The
player must complete the kick within one minute even if the ball
rolls over and has to be placed again. If the one minute is
exceeded, the kick is disallowed, a scrum is ordered at the place of
the mark and the opponents throw in the ball. For any other type
of kick, the kick must be taken without undue delay.
(c) A clear kick. The kicker must kick the ball a visible distance. If
the kicker is holding it, it must clearly leave the hands. If it is on
the ground, it must clearly leave the mark.
(d) Place kicking for touch. The kicker may punt or drop kick for
touch but must not place kick for touch.
(e) Kicker’s freedom of action. The kicker is free to kick the ball
in any direction and may play the ball again.
(f) Kick taken in the in-goal. When a penalty or free kick is taken
in the team’s in-goal and a defending player by foul play prevents
an opponent from scoring a try, a penalty try is awarded.
(g) Out of play in the in-goal. If a penalty or free kick is taken in
in-goal and the ball goes into touch-in-goal, or on or over the dead
ball line, or a defending player makes the ball dead before it has
crossed the goal line, a 5-metre scrum is awarded. The attacking
team throws in the ball.
(h) Behind the ball. All the kicker’s team at a penalty or free kick
must be behind the ball until it has been kicked, except the placer
for a place kick.
(i) Kick taken quickly. If the penalty or free kick is taken so
quickly that players of the kicker’s team are still in front of the ball,
they are not penalised for being offside. However, they must retire
immediately. They must not stop retiring until they are onside.
They must not take part in the game until they are onside. This
applies to all players of that team, whether they are inside or
outside the playing area.
(j) In this situation, players become onside when they run behind the
team mate who took the penalty or free kick, or when a team mate
carrying the ball runs in front of them, or when a team mate who
was behind the ball when it was kicked runs in front of them.
(k) An offside player cannot be put onside by any action of an opponent.
Penalty: Unless otherwise stated in Law any infringement by the kicker’s team
results in a scrum at the mark. The opposing team throw in the ball.
21.5 SCORING A GOAL FROM A PENALTY KICK
(a) A penalty goal can be scored from a penalty kick.
(b) If the kicker indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal,
the kicker must kick at goal. Once the kicker has made the
intention clear, there can be no change of the intention. The
referee may enquire of the kicker as to the intention.
(c) If the kicker indicates to the referee the intent to kick at goal, the
opposing team must stand still with their hands by their sides
from the time the kicker starts to approach to kick until the ball is kicked.
(d) If the kicker has not indicated an intention to kick at goal but takes
a drop kick and scores a goal, the goal stands.
(e) If the opposing team infringes while the kick is being taken but the
kick at goal is successful, the goal stands. A further penalty is not
awarded for the infringement.
(f) The kicker may place the ball directly on the ground or on sand,
sawdust or a kicking tee approved by the Union.
21.6 SCORING FROM A FREE KICK
(a) A goal cannot be scored from a free kick.
(b) The team awarded a free kick cannot score a dropped goal until
after the ball next becomes dead, or until after an opponent has
played or touched it, or has tackled the ball carrier. This restriction
applies also to a scrum taken instead of a free kick.
21.7 WHAT THE OPPOSING TEAM MUST DO AT A PENALTY KICK
(a) Must run from the mark. The opposing team must
immediately run towards their own goal line until they are at least
10 metres away from the mark for the penalty kick, or until they
have reached their goal line if that is nearer the mark.
(b) Must keep running. Even if the penalty kick is taken and the
kicker’s team is playing the ball, opposing players must keep
running until they have retired the necessary distance. They must
not take part in the game until they have done so.
(c) Kick taken quickly. If the penalty kick is taken so quickly that
opponents have no opportunity to retire, they will not be
penalised for this. However, they must continue to retire as
described in 21.7(b) above or until a team mate who was 10 metres
from the mark has run in front of them, before they take part in the game.
(d) Interference. The opposing team must not do anything to delay
the penalty kick or obstruct the kicker. They must not
intentionally take, throw or kick the ball out of reach of the kicker
or the kicker’s team mates.
Penalty: Any infringement by the opposing team results in a
second penalty kick, 10 metres in front of the mark for the first
kick. This mark must not be within 5 metres of the goal line. Any
player may take the kick. The kicker may change the type of kick
and may choose to kick at goal. If the referee awards a second
penalty kick, the second penalty kick is not taken before the
referee has made the mark indicating the place of the penalty.
21.8 WHAT OPTIONS THE OPPOSING TEAM HAVE AT A FREE KICK
(a) Must run from the mark. The opposing team must immediately run towards
their own goal line until they are at least 10 metres away from the mark for
the free kick, or until they have reached their goal line if that is nearer the mark.
If the free kick is in a defending teams in-goal area, the opposing team must
immediately run towards their own goal line until they are at least 10 metres
away from the mark and not nearer than 5 metres from the goal line.
(b) Must keep running. Even if the free kick is taken and the
kicker’s team is playing the ball, opposing players must keep
running until they have retired the necessary distance. They must
not take part in the game until they have done so.
(c) Kick taken quickly. If the free kick is taken so quickly that
opponents have no opportunity to retire, they will not be
penalised for this. However, they must continue to retire as
described in 21.8(b) above or until a team mate who was 10 metres
from the mark has run in front of them, before they take part in the game.
(d) Interference. The opposing team must not do anything to delay
the free kick or obstruct the kicker. They must not intentionally take,
throw or kick the ball out of reach of the kicker or the kicker’s team mates.
(e) Charging the free kick. Once they have retired the necessary
distance, players of the opposing team may charge and try to
prevent the kick being taken. They may charge the free kick as
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