Laws Flashcards
TIME - If the ball is not dead, when may a referee interrupt play and stop time?
For a player injury or to communicate with other referees (i.e. if the assistant referee’s flag is up indicating foul play).
TIME - If the ball is dead, what can the referee allow time for?
Player replacement, re-tying boot laces, retrieving the ball.
TIME - A half ends when the ball becomes dead unless:
- A scrum, lineout, or restart kick following a try awarded before time expired.
- The referee awards a free-kick or penalty
- A penalty is kicked into touch without the ball first being tapped or touching another player - allow the lineout to play
- A try has been scored. If scored after full time, the conversion is still allowed to happen.
MATCH OFFICIALS - when does the ball become dead (Law 6.9)
- The ball is in touch or touch in-goal
- The ball is grounded in-goal
- A conversion has been attempted
- A try, penalty, or dropped goal has been scored.
- The ball or ball-carrier touches the dead-ball line or anything beyond it.
- The ball hits anything above the playing area.
MATCH OFFICIALS - What happens if the referee touches the ball? (Law 6.10-6.12)
A) if the ball or ball-carrier touches the referee and no team gains an advantage, play continues. If a team does gain an advantage, then a scrum is awarded to the team last in posession.
B) If the ball-carrier touches the referee or other non-player in in-goal and either team gains an advantage:
i) If the ball is in possession of an attacking player, the referee awards a try where the contact took place.
ii) If the ball is in possession of a defending player, the referee awards a touch down where the contact took place.
C) If the ball is touched by the referee or other non-player in in-goal, the referee judges what would have happened next and awards a try or a touch down at the place where the contact took place.
SCORING - What are the methods and points value of scoring?
- Try - 5 points
- Conversion - 2 points
- Penalty try - 7 points
- Penalty goal - 3 points
- Dropped goal - 3 points
SCORING - under what circumstances can a try be scored by an attacking player?
- When they’re the first to ground the ball in the opponents’ in-goal.
- When they’re the first to ground the ball when a scrum, ruck or maul reaches the goal line.
- With the ball is tackled short of the goal line and the player’s momentum carries them in a continuous movement along the ground into the opponents’ in-goal, and the player is first to ground the ball.
- When they’re tackled near to the opponents’ goal line and the player immediately reaches out and grounds the ball.
- Who is in touch or touch-in-goal, grounds the ball in the opponents’ in-goal provided the player is not holding the ball.
SCORING - how long does a player have to take a kick in 7s and in 15s?
In 7s - 30 seconds from when the try was scored.
In 15s - 90 seconds from when the try was scored.
SCORING - what must the opposing team do during a conversion (7s and 15s)?
In 7s - all opposing players gather close to the their own 10-metre line ready for the restart.
In 15s - Retire to the goal line. They must not overstep that line until the kick moves in any direction to begin their approach. After this, they may charge or jump to prevent a goal.
SCORING - what happens if the opposing team infringes during a conversion?
If they shout loudly or break early then the kick may be retaken if unsuccessful. The opposing team is not allowed to charge on the 2nd attempt.
SCORING - what happens if the opposition infringes during a penalty goal?
If the goal is successful - award goal.
If unsuccessful - If the defending players shout or illegally touch the ball to prevent the goal then the non-offending team is awarded a penalty 10 meters in-front of the original mark.
FOUL PLAY - What is the sanction for intentional obstruction?
Penalty.
Intentional offside includes:
1. When a player and an opponent are running for the ball, neither player may charge or push the other except shoulder-to-shoulder.
2. An offside player must not intentionally obstruct an opponent or interfere with play.
3. A player must not intentionally prevent an opponent from tackling or attempting to tackle the ball-carrier.
4. A player must not intentionally prevent an opponent from having the opportunity to play the ball, other than by competing for possession.
5. A ball-carrier must not intentionally run into an off-side team-mate to obstruct the opposition.
6. A player must not obstruct, or in any way interfere with an opponent while the ball is dead.
FOUL PLAY - what is the sanction for wasting time?
Free-kick.
FOUL PLAY - What is the minimum sanction for leading with the elbow or forearm into contact, or jumping over or into a tackler?
Penalty
FOUL PLAY - What is the minimum sanction for physical or verbal abuse?
Penalty
FOUL PLAY - What is the minimum sanction for early, late or dangerous tackles?
Penalty
FOUL PLAY - What is the minimum sanction for tackling a player without the ball?
Penalty
FOUL PLAY - A penalty is awarded for dangerous play in a scrum. What constitutes dangerous play in a scrum?
- The front row must not form at a distance and rush against opponents.
- The front row players must not pull opponents
- The front row players must not intentionally lift an opponent off their feet or force the opponent upwards out of the scrum.
- A front-row player must not intentionally collapse a scrum.
FOUL PLAY - A penalty is awarded for dangerous play in a ruck or maul. What constitutes dangerous play in a ruck or maul?
- A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.
- A player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.
- A player must not intentionally collapse a ruck or a maul.
- A player may lever the jackler out of the contest at the ruck but must not drop their weight onto them or target the lower limbs.
FOUL PLAY - A player has just kicked the ball. They are then intentionally charged (late, after the kick is gone) or obstructed. What happens here?
The non-offending team chooses to take the penalty:
A) At the place of infringement but teams won’t usually choose this. More likely:
B) Where the ball lands or is next played but not nearer than 15 meters from the touchline. So bring the penalty onto the 15m line.
C) If the ball is kicked directly into touch, on the 15 metre line in line with where the ball crossed the touch line. Again bring onto the 15m line.
D) If the ball lands in in-goal, touch-in-goal or over the dead ball line, five meters from the goal line, in line with where the ball crossed the goal line and at least 15 meters from the nearest touch line.
E) If the ball hits the goal post -> where it landed.
KICKS - Kick offs and restarts are drop kicks. What happens if this isn’t done properly?
Non-kicking team can choose to have the kick retaken or a scrum.
KICKS - when the ball is kicked on a restart following a score, the opponents must be behind the kicker. What are the 7s and 15s sanctions if they are not?
7s - free kick
15s - scrum at half way
KICKS - if the restart kick after a score doesn’t directly or indirectly make 10 meters, what happens in 7s and 15s?
7s - free kick at half way
15s - the non-kicking team can opt to have the kick retaken or a scrum at half way. Usually they pick the scrum.
KICKS - What happens if the restart kick after a score goes directly into touch for 15s and 7s?
7s - free kick.
15s - the non-kicking team can choose:
i) the kick being retaken
ii) a scrum
iii) a lineout
iv) a quick throw
Usually it’s just “Option scrum or linout”
KICKS - the restart kick following a try goes into in-goal without being touched by any player and an opponent grounds the ball without picking it up. What happens in 15s and in 7s?
7s - free-kick back at half way. This also happens if the ball goes dead or touch-in-goal.
15s - kick retaken or a scrum back at half way.
KICKS - What happens if the ball is restart kick is kicked deep into the opponents in-goal and is made dead by a player from the kicking team?
A 5 meter scrum is awarded to the non-kicking team.
KICKS - in 15s when would a 22 meter drop out be awarded?
Unsuccessful penalty goal or dropped goal attempt is grounded or made dead in goal by the defending team. OR, if the ball goes dead off the kick.
KICKS - in 7s when would a 22 meter drop out be awarded?
If the ball is played or taken into in-goal by an attacking player and is made dead by an opponent, play is restarted with a 22 meter drop out.
“Taken in by red, grounded by blue. 22 meter drop out”
KICKS - When is play restarted by a goal line drop out?
In 7s - never
In 15s - when:
A) The ball is played or taken into in-goal by an attacking player and is then held up, grounded or otherwise made legally dead by an opponent.
B) An attacking kick, other than a kick-off, restart kick following a score, drop goal, drop-out or penalty attempt, is grounded or made dead in in-goal by the defending team.
C) An attacking player knocks on in the opponents’ in-goal. I.e. knock on in attempt to score try.
KICKS - what is the process for a 22 meter drop out?
The kick must be taken on or behind the defending team’s 22 meter line. The sanction line (i.e. where the defending team must stand) is the 22 meter line.
KICKS - what is the process for a goal line drop out?
On or behind the defending teams goal line. It can be taken from anywhere along the goal line. The sanction line (i.e. where the defending team must stand) is the 5 meter line.
KICKS - what happens if the kick does not cross the sanction line?
The receiving team has the option of playing the ball as it lies (advantage may apply), feeding a five-metre centre-field scrum or the kick being retaken.
KICKS - what happens if the 22 meter drop out or goal line drop out goes directly into touch?
If the 22m goes directly into touch: option of kick being retaken, centre-field scrum on the 22m line, or lineout.
If the goal-line dropout goes directly into touch: The receiving team has the option of a five-metre centre-field scrum, the kick being retaken, throwing into a lineout on the five-metre line or taking a quick throw in.
OFFSIDE & ONSIDE - In open play, when is a player offside?
If that player is in front of a team-mate who is carrying the ball or who last played it. An offside player must not interfere with play. This includes:
i) Playing the ball.
ii) Tackling the ball-carrier.
iii) Preventing the opposition from playing as they wish.
OFFSIDE & ONSIDE - An offside player may be penalized, if that player…
i) Interferes with play
ii) Moves forwards toward the ball
iii) Was in front of a team-mate who kicked the ball and fails to retire immediately behind an onside team-mate.
OFFSIDE & ONSIDE - what is the sanction for offside?
Either a penalty at the place of infringement (i.e. where the offside player was) or a scrum where the attacking team last played the ball.
OFFSIDE & ONSIDE - What is accidental offside and the sanction?
A player is accidentally offside if the player cannot avoid being touched by the ball or by a team-mate who is carrying the ball. Only if the offending team gains an advantage should play stop. The sanction is a scrum to the non-offending team.
OFFSIDE & ONSIDE - when can an offside player be put onside?
i) Moves behind a team-mate who last played the ball; or
ii) Moves behind a team-mate who is onside.
iii) An onside teammate of that player moves past the offside player and is within or has re-entered the playing area.
OR when an opponent of that player:
iv) Carries the ball five metres; or
v) Passes the ball; or
vi) Kicks the ball; or
vii) Intentionally touches the ball without gaining possession of it.
OFFSIDE & ONSIDE - how may an offside player at a ruck, maul, scrum, or lineout be put onside?
i) If that player immediately retires behind the applicable offside line; or
ii) An opposition player carries the ball five metres in any direction; or
iii) An opposition player kicks the ball.
OFFSIDE & ONSIDE - An offside player may be penalised if that player…. What is the sanction
i) Fails to retire without undue delay and benefits from being put onside in a more advantageous position; or
ii) Interferes with play; o
iii) Moves towards the ball.
Sanction: penalty at place of infringement.
KNOCK ONS & FORWARD THROWS - what is the difference between a knock on in a tackle and an intentional knock on? What are the sanctions?
i) if ball knocked on in the tackle -> scrum.
ii) if ball knocked on in tackle and then goes into touch -> scrum or lineout (quick throw allowed)
iii) it is not intentional if the player was in a reasonable place to catch the ball.
iv) if the ball is intentionally knocked down -> penalty
KNOCK ONS & FORWARD THROWS - The ball is not knocked-on, and play continues, if (2 cases)…
i) A player knocks the ball forward immediately after an opponent has kicked it (charge down).
ii) A player rips or knocks the ball from an opponent and the ball goes forward from the opponent’s hand or arm.
KNOCK ONS & FORWARD THROWS - what is the sanction for a deliberate forward throw?
Penalty.
An unintentional forward throw is a scrum at the place of infringement.
KICKS - what happens if the ball crosses the sanction line and bounces (or is blown) backwards?
Play continues
KICKS - what happens if the ball crosses the sanction line and bounces (or is blown) backwards?
Play continues
KICKS - what is the sanction for an opponent who advances in front of the sanction line before the ball is kicked
Sanction: Free-kick.
KICKS - what is the sanction for an opponent in front of the sanction line who interferes with the kick?
An opponent, who is in front of the sanction line, may not delay or obstruct the drop-out. Sanction: Penalty.
KICKS - what happens if a drop-out reaches the opponents’ in-goal without touching any player and an opponent grounds the ball without delay or it goes into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead-ball line?
The non-kicking team has the option of having the kick retaken or a scrum.
OPEN PLAY - Players, who go to ground to gather the ball or who go to ground with the ball, must immediately…
i) Get up with the ball; or
ii) Play (but not kick) the ball; or
iii) Release the ball.
Sanction: Penalty.
OPEN PLAY - What is the sanction for players on the ground who do not move away from the ball or get up after the ball is played or released?
Penalty
OPEN PLAY - A player on the ground in the field of play, without the ball is out of the game and must…
i) Allow opponents who are not on the ground to play or gain possession of the ball.
ii) Not play the ball.
iii) Not tackle or attempt to tackle an opponent.
Sanction: Penalty.
OPEN PLAY - What is the sanction for players on their feet and without the ball who fall on or over players on the ground who have the ball or who are near it
Sanction: Penalty
TACKLE - What is required for a player to be “brought to ground”?
Being brought to ground means that the ball-carrier is lying, sitting or has at least one knee on the ground or on another player who is on the ground.
TACKLE - what is required for a player to be held on the ground?
Being held means that a tackler must continue holding the ball-carrier until the ball-carrier is on the ground. If the ball carrier is tripped and not brought to ground, this is not “held” and the ball carrier does not have to release the ball.
TACKLE - Tacklers must….
i) Immediately release the ball and the ball-carrier after both players go to ground.
ii) Immediately move away from the tackled player and from the ball or get up.
iii) Be on their feet before attempting to play the ball.
iv) Allow the tackled player to release or play the ball.
v) Allow the tackled player to move away from the ball.
Sanction: Penalty.
TACKLE - how must a tackler play the ball?
Tacklers may play the ball from the direction of their own goal line provided a ruck has not formed.
KICKS - what happens if the ball crosses the sanction line and bounces (or is blown) backwards?
Play continues
TACKLE - tackled players must…
i) Make the ball available so that play can continue by releasing, passing or pushing the ball in any direction except forward. They may place the ball in any direction.
ii) Move away from the ball or get up.
iii) Ensure that they do not lie on, over or near the ball to prevent opposition players from gaining possession of it.
Sanction: penalty
KICKS - what happens if the ball crosses the sanction line and bounces (or is blown) backwards?
Play continues
TACKLE - Other players must:
i) Remain on their feet and release the ball and the ball-carrier immediately.
ii) Remain on their feet when they play the ball.
iii) Arrive at the tackle from the direction of their own goal line before playing the ball.
iv) Not play the ball or attempt to tackle an opponent while on the ground near the tackle.
Sanction: Penalty.
TACKLE - The tackle ends when:
i) A ruck is formed.
ii) A player on their feet from either team gains possession of the ball and moves away or passes or kicks the ball.
iii) The ball leaves the tackle area.
iv) The ball is unplayable. If there is doubt about which player did not conform to law, the referee orders a scrum. The throw is taken by the team moving forward prior to the stoppage or, if no team was moving forward, by the attacking team.
RUCK - when is a ruck formed?
A ruck is formed when at least one player from each team are in contact, on their feet and over the ball which is on the ground.
RUCK - what is the sanction for players involved in a ruck who do not have their heads and shoulders lower than their hips?
Players involved in all stages of the ruck must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.
Sanction: Free-kick.
RUCK - where are the offside lines?
Each team has an offside line that runs parallel to the goal line through the hindmost point of any ruck participant. If that point is on or behind the goal line, the offside line for that team is the goal line.
RUCK - how may an arriving player join a ruck? What is the sanction for doing this illegally?
i) On their feet.
ii) Behind the offside line
iii) Behind or alongside the hindmost player but not in front.
iv) must bind on to a team-mate or opposition player.The bind must precede or be simultaneous with contact with any other part of the body.
v) Players who have previously been part of the ruck may rejoin the ruck, provided they do so from an onside position.
Sanction: Penalty.
RUCK - players involved in a ruck must not…
i) Pick the ball up with their legs.
ii) Intentionally collapse a ruck or jump on top of it.
iii) Intentionally step on another player.
iv) Fall onto, or over, the emerging ball while it is on the ground near to the ruck.
v) Kick, or attempt to kick, the ball out of a ruck.
Sanction: Penalty.
OR:
vi) Return the ball into the ruck.
vii) Take any action to make opponents believe that the ruck has ended when it has not (sneaky).
Sanction: Free-kick.
RUCK - when has a ruck ended?
The ruck ends and play continues when the ball leaves the ruck or when the ball in the ruck is on or over the goal line
TACKLE - The tackle ends when:
i) A ruck is formed.
ii) A player on their feet from either team gains possession of the ball and moves away or passes or kicks the ball.
iii) The ball leaves the tackle area.
iv) The ball is unplayable. If there is doubt about which player did not conform to law, the referee orders a scrum. The throw is taken by the team moving forward prior to the stoppage or, if no team was moving forward, by the attacking team.
KICKS - what happens if the ball crosses the sanction line and bounces (or is blown) backwards?
Play continues
MAUL - what constitutes a maul?
It consists of a ball carrier and at least one player from each team, bound together and on their feet. A player ripping the ball from the ball carrier must stay in contact with that player until they have transferred the ball.
Sanction: Penalty.
MAUL - how might a player be offside at a maul?
Each team has an offside line that runs parallel to the goal line through the maul participants’ hindmost foot that is nearest to that team’s goal line. If that foot is on or behind the goal line, the offside line for that team is the goal line.
A player must join a maul from an onside position or retire to the offside line.
MAUL - how do players need to join a maul?
Players must come from an onside position and bind onto the hindmost player. Sanction: penalty
The heads and shoulders of all players needs to be above their hips. Sanction: free kick.