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73 results returned for sanction
13 Players on the ground in open play
l; or Sanction: Penalty. b. Play (but not kick) the ball; or Sanction: Penalty. c. Release the ball. Sanction: Penalty. 13.2 Once the ball is played or released, players on the ground must immediately either move away from the ball or get up. Sanction: Penalty. 13.3 A player on the ground in the fiel ... d to play or gain possession of the ball. Sanction: Penalty. b. Not play the ball. Sanction: Penalt
15 Ruck
r than their hips. Sanction: Free-kick. Offside at a ruck 15.4 Each team has an offside line that run ... t and join from behind their offside line. Sanction: Penalty. 15.6 A player may join alongside but not in front of the hindmost player. Sanction: Penalty. 15.7 A player must bind onto a team-mat ... t of the body. Sanction: Penalty. 15.8 Players must join the ruck or retire behind their offside lin
9 Foul play
y charge or push the other except shoulder-to-shoulder. Sanction: Penalty. 9.2 An offside player must not intentionally obstruct an opponent or interfere with play. Sanction: Penalty. 9.3 A player mus ... r. Sanction: Penalty. 9.4 A player must not intentionally prevent an opponent from having the opportunity to play the ball, other than by competing for possession. Sanction: Penalty. 9.5 A ball-carrier mus
16 Maul
d the ball. There can be no long-arm transfer to another player. Sanction: Penalty. 16.3 Once forme ... d their offside line immediately. Sanction: Penalty. 16.6 Players who leave a maul must immediately retire behind the offside line. These players may re-join the maul. Sanction: Penalty. Joining a maul 16.7 Players joining a maul must: a. Do so from an onside position. Sanction: Penalty. b. Bin
The maul - January/June 2016
l and the ripper needs to stay in contact with the jumper until they have transferred the ball. Sanction: Penalty kick Good practice: Liable to sanction:
12 Kick-off and restart kicks
s are used to resume play. 12.1 All kick-offs and restart kicks are drop kicks. Sanction: The no ... t kicks following a score 12.2 Kick-offs are taken on or behind the centre of the half-way line. Sanctio ... s restart play on or behind the centre of the half-way line. Sanction: The non-kicking team ha ... s of the kicker must be behind the ball. Sanction: The non-kicking team has the option of the kick being retake
11 Knock forward or throw forward
t, makes contact with the ball and the ball goes forward. Sanction: Scrum (if the ball goes into touc ... t not intentionally knock the ball forward with hand or arm. Sanction: Penalty. 11.4 It is not an intentiona ... d that there was a reasonable expectation that the player could gain possession. 11.5 There is no sanctio ... w forward may occur anywhere in the playing area. Sanction: Scrum (if the ball goes into touch, the no
14 Tackle
e a responsibility to tackle below the relevant high tackle sanction line – shoulder line in elite rugb ... y on the ground. Player responsibilities 14.5 Tacklers must: a. Tackle below the relevant sanction line – shoulder, base of the sternum or waist. Sanction: Penalty. b. Immediately release the ball and the ball-carrier after both players go to ground. Sanction: Penalty. c. Immediately move away fro
19 Scrum
m within 30 seconds of the mark being made. Sanction: Free-kick. 19.5 When both teams have 15 player ... w. Three back-row players from each team complete the scrum. Sanction: Penalty. 19.6 When a tea ... s bind to the hooker. Sanction: Penalty. b. The hooker binds with both arms. This can be either over or under the arms of the props. Sanction: Penalty. c. The locks bind with the props immediatel
Definitions
e, and is liable to sanction. A loiterer must not benefit from being put onside by the opposing team’ ... l offence meaning a player can take no part in the game without being liable to sanction. On fee ... g Legally using one’s feet to try to win or keep possession of the ball in a ruck. S Sanction The metho
2026-06 Community Tackle Height law wordings approved
g to tackle an opponent above the relevant sanction line (see 14.1) while either player is in ope ... e opponents. Tacklers have a responsibility to tackle below the relevant high tackle sanction lin ... l clause in 14.5: 14.5 Tacklers must: a. Tackle below the relevant sanction line – shoulder, base of the sternum, waist Sanction: Penalty Current laws 14.5 a-e re-lettered to b-f Gam
18 Touch, quick throw and lineout
k throw may be taken. Sanction: Penalty. 18.4 At a quick throw, the ball is thrown in: a. Between the mark of touch and the thrower’s own try line; and Sanction: Option of lineout or scrum. b. Parallel to or towards the thrower’s own try line; and Sanction: Option of lineout or scrum. c. So that it reaches the five-metre line before it touches the ground or hits a player; and Sanction: Optio
Offside at the ruck - May 2014
m half, that player does so without sanction. Footage courtesy of BBC Sport
7 Advantage
n an advantage. The referee stops the game and applies the sanction for the infringement from which advantag ... d an advantage. The referee stops the game and applies the sanction for the first infringement. If either or both infringements are for foul play, the referee applies the appropriate sanction( ... e the most advantageous sanction. 7.3 Advantage must not be applied and the referee must blo
10 Offside and onside in open play
d, if that player: a. Does not make an effort to retreat and interferes with play; or Sanction: The no ... m last played the ball. b. Moves towards the ball; or Sanction: The non-offending team can choos ... d in an attempted charge down. Sanction: The non-offending team can choose either: Penalty at the plac ... l. Only if the offending team gains an advantage should play stop. Sanction: Scrum. 10.6 Any offsid
Law Application Guideline - January 2023
s to be placed again. Sanction: Kick is disallowed. Law 8.21: Penalty Goal: The kick must be taken withi ... l rolls over and has to be placed again. Sanction: Kick is disallowed and a scrum is awarded. Law 9.7d A player must not waste time. Sanction: Free Kick Law 18.12 Lineout: Teams form the lineout without delay. Sanction: Free-kick. Law 19.4 Scrum: Teams must be ready to form the scrum within 3
2025-01 - Global Law Trials
1 January 2025. From that date, they will be reflected in World Rugby's digital laws content. &nbs ... s the ball that was in play unless it is defective. Sanction: Kick disallowed Clauses b, c, ... t within 30 seconds of a mark being made without delay Sanction: Free-kick. Cleaner pla ... o is near it (within 1m), and who is attempting to play the ball away Sanction: Penalty (Curren
Beach Touch Rugby
y is disallowed when scored by a team with more than the permitted number of players. Sanction: Free pas ... e with the laws of the game. The ball must not be kicked in open play. Sanction: Free pass 7.2 Shoul ... r and misconduct which is prejudicial to the game. Sanction: Free pass at the place of infringement 10. ... s. The captain is the only player who can make a comment to the referee. Sanction: Free pas
Charging into the ruck - February 2010
y of the player joining the ruck. Sanction: Penalty kick DANGEROUS PLAY AND MISCONDUCT Dangerou ... p that player. Sanction: Penalty kick A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging include
Beach Fives Rugby
n the permitted number of players. Sanction: Free kick at the place where the game would restart 3.3 Player ... l. Whatever a player does must be in accordance with the Laws of the Game. Sanction: Free kick 7.2 The ball must not be kicked when in open play. Sanction: Free kick 7.3 Should an event occur whic ... e the shoulders and misconduct which is prejudicial to the game. Sanction: Free kick at the plac
8 Scoring
y on a line through the place where the try was awarded, parallel to the touchlines. Sanction: Kic ... e. The kicker may be assisted by a placer. Nothing else may be used to assist the kicker. Sanction: Kic ... y was awarded, even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again. Sanction: Kick is disallowe ... n it is kicked and do nothing to mislead their opponents into charging too soon. Sanction: Kick is disallowe
Maul - June 2026
g or pull, they should remove themselves from the contest or will be liable to sanction. Players mus ... e the ball-carrier. Sanction: Penalty. At a lineout, lifters must not step in front of the jumper whe ... d the ball. Sanction: Penalty. This prohibits what is known as a long-arm transfer or sideway ... d their offside line immediately. Sanction: Penalty. Law 16.7 Players joining a maul must: a. Do so fro
20 Penalty and free-kick
p-out’s sanction line (non-offending team decides). Any infringement that takes place outsid ... k 20.5 A penalty or free-kick must be taken without delay. Sanction: Scrum. 20.6 Any player from the no ... e the ball that was in play unless the referee decides it is defective. Sanction: Scrum. 20. ... n behind the ball until it has been kicked. Sanction: Scrum. 20.11 The ball must be kicked a visibl
Beach Tag Rugby
y. A try is disallowed when scored by a team with more than the permitted number of players. Sanctio ... r may not kick the ball in open play. Sanction: Free pass 7.2 Should an event occur whic ... h is prejudicial to the game. Sanction: Free pass at the place of infringement 10.2 All players must respec ... y player who can make a comment to the referee. Sanction: Free pass at the place of infringemen
Tag Rugby
e of the objection remains unaltered. Sanction: Penalty kick at the place where the game would restar ... s this warning, or has used their free hand to interfere, block or fend off a defender in any way. Sanctio ... s are required if a player is sent off in a festival. Sanction: Penalty kick at the plac ... r that initiates contact should be penalised. Sanction: Penalty kick 10.5 An attacking player mus
Touch Rugby
e at the time of the objection remains unaltered. Sanction: Penalty kick at the place where the gam ... s, dangerous play, handing off a player and misconduct which is prejudicial to the game. Sanction: Penalt ... g at once when the referee blows the whistle except at starts and restarts. Sanction: Penalty kic ... m scores, then this is seen as a fair sanction). (b) A player who has been cautioned and temporaril
14 Tackle
t or to the base of the sternum line. They may also choose to sanction ball-carriers who drop their bod ... t with a tackler Sanction: Penalty Double tackles – flexible options Two (or more) players may not simultaneously tackle a ball carrier in open play. Sanction: Penalty When two (or more players) make a simultaneous tackle, only the primary tackler must meet the relevant sanction line. An
Law changes summary - July 2022
r to reduce the frequency of water carriers coming onto the field, and to sanction poor behaviour by no ... n from previous clarifications. The wordings will change on the digital laws content from 1 July 202
2026-06 Law Application Guideline - Players on the wrong side of the maul
y, manage and/or sanction. The guideline can be found here.
2024-07 Law changes
y 2024. From that date, they will be reflected in World Rugby's digital law content. Offsid ... h is taking part in the game, and is liable to sanction. A loiterer must not benefit from being put onsid ... t. (Sanction: Penalty) New 9.20e A player must not drop their weight onto an opponent or target the lower limbs. (Sanction: Penalty) New clause in 14.8 (Tackle Law). Other players must:
12 Kick-off and restart kicks
d the centre of the half-way line. Sanction: The non-kicking team has the option of the kick bein ... k on or behind the centre of the half-way line. Sanction: Free-kick. 12.5 [Replacement] 12.5 When the ball is kicked: a. Team-mates of the kicker must be behind the ball. Sanction: Scrum. b. Opposition players must be on or behind the 10-metre line. Sanction: The kick is retaken. Replace
21 In-goal
t and ground the ball in in-goal to make a touch down, provided it is done immediately. Sanctio ... t to kick the ball. Sanction: Penalty. Ball kicked dead through in-goal 21.11 If a team kicks the bal
Enforcement of current Law - May 2015
s stationary and the ball is available, the referee will call "use it" Sanction all players who joi
2025-07 Global Law Trial - 20-minute red card replacement
At the World Rugby Council meeting on 21 May 2025, the Council voted to move the 20 minute red card replacement sanction into a Global Law trial for the elite game. The following sets out the law wordings which will make up the Global Law Trial and will go into the WR Law assets on 1 July 2025. Foul Play - Law 9 9.30: When a player is being sent off, the referee will show that playe
Decision-making framework for high tackles - May 2019
r and obvious mitigating factors?* * For mitigation, only one reduction in sanction can appl ... e a sanction by 1 level) Tackler makes a definite attempt to change height in an effort to avoid bal
4 Permitted clothing
a, that player is sent off for misconduct. Sanction: Penalty. 4.7 The referee must not allow any playe
3 Team
y. The score at the time of the objection remains unaltered. Sanction: Penalty. 3.4 For internationa ... o to gain an advantage, the player is guilty of misconduct. Sanction: Penalty. 3.8 The table indicate ... r player may need to be removed as a sanction for causing uncontested scrums. 3.18 Only whe
Head Contact Process - Leading elbow / forearm
1 No sanction - ball carrier’s arm is close to the body 2 Penalty - indirect throat contact with no force and no speed 3 Yellow card - indirect throat contact 4 Red card - direct throat contact with a high level of danger
12 Kick-off and restart kicks
d the centre of the half-way line. Sanction: The non-kicking team has the option of the kick bein ... l is kicked. Sanction: Free-kick. 12.5 [Replacement] 12.5 When the ball is kicked: a. Team-mates of the kicker must be behind the ball. Sanction: Scrum. b. Opposition players must be on or behind the 10-metre line. Sanction: The kick is retaken. Replaced by: a. Team-mates of the kicker mus
Shape of the Game: Reinforcement of current law - March 2024
m the ruck within five seconds. Sanction: Scrum Definitions: Played: The ball is played whe ... e to sanction. Water carriers In July 2022, a Global Law Trial was introduced for the elite gam