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49 results returned for possession
Playing Charter
t to gain possession of the ball, but not wilfully or maliciously to inflict injur ... y. Contest and Continuity The contest for possession of the ball is one of rugby’s key feature ... m in possession aims to maintain continuity by denying the opposition the ball and, by skilful means, to advance and score points. Failure to do this will mean the surrendering of possessio
Definitions
g in their own half. B Ball-carrier A player who is in possession of the ball. Beyon ... t Nearest a team’s own try line. Holding the ball Being in possession of the ball in the han ... k. Knock forward When a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, or when a playe ... a. Playing time Actual time, excluding time lost for stoppages (see actual time). Possessio
The maul - January/June 2016
For implementation: January 1st 2016 in Southern Hemisphere June 1st 2016 in Northern Hemisphere The ball can be moved backwards hand-to-hand once the maul has formed (see video 1). A player is not allowed to move/slide backwards in the maul when the player is in possession of the ball and the ripper needs to stay in contact with the jumper until they have transferred the ball. Sanctio
Unplayable ball in maul
Arm out to award scrummage to side not in possession at maul commencement. Other arm out as if signalling advantage and then swing it across body with hand ending on opposite shoulder.
16 Maul
e it. A player in possession of the ball must not slide or move backwards in the maul. Sanction: Penalt ... n players of the team who are not in possession of the ball intentionally leave the mau ... s of the team who are not in possession of the ball intentionally leave the maul, they may re-join provided that the first player binds on the frontmost player of the team in possession of the ball. Sanctio
13 Players on the ground in open play
o are not on the ground to play or gain possession of the ball. Sanction: Penalty. b. Not play the bal
Enforcement of current law - refereeing at the breakdown - March 2020
p... Tackler must release Once the tackle is complete, the tackler may contest possessio ... s possession of the ball before a ruck forms Reward the player who wins the race for possessio ... r. Possession may be won either by rucking or by pushing the opposing team off the bal
Tag Rugby
d, play restarts with a ruck ball to the team last in possession of the ball. If neither team was in possession, the attacking team is awarded the ruck ball. 6.9 Contact with the referee (a) Followin ... s an advantage, if the ball is in the possession of an attacking player, the referee awards a try. ( ... l is in the possession of a defending player, the referee will award a touch down. Law 7: Mode of Play 7.
11 Knock forward or throw forward
d that there was a reasonable expectation that the player could gain possession. 11.
14 Tackle
g a tackle but do not go to ground. ii. Player(s) who arrive to contest possession in the tackle. ii ... m gaining possession of it. Sanction: Penalty. Tackled player must release the ball immediately 14. ... y player who gains possession of the ball: a. Must play it immediately, by moving away, or by passin ... m gains possession of the ball and moves away or passes or kicks the ball. c. The ball leave
2026-06 Law Application Guideline - Players on the wrong side of the maul
e messy situations when the contest for possession/space has been won. Players are asked to recognis
19 Scrum
Principle The purpose of a scrum is to restart play with a contest for possession after a mino ... m not in possession at the start of the maul. If the referee cannot decide which team had possessio ... m in possession at the start of the maul. An incorrect kick-off or restart kick (scrum optio ... m not in possession. The ball or ball-carrier touches the referee and either team gains an advantag
Maul - June 2026
s Cup/Championships.) Key messages The maul is a key contest for possessio ... y contest possession with their other arm, or may continue pushing/driving on the maul, but mus ... n, and everyone is committed to that being maintained. Players in a maul should be contesting for possessio ... t in or bound to it and not just alongside it. A player in possession of the ball must not slide or mov
Touch Rugby
n an infringement has not occurred, play resumes with a ruck ball to the team in possession of the ball when play stopped. If neither team had possession the attacking team is awarded the ruck ball. 6.6 The bal ... m gains an advantage in in-goal, if the ball is in the possession of an attacking player, the refere ... l, if the ball is in the possession of a defending player, the referee awards a touch down where the contac
21 In-goal
e a touch down or score a try by grounding the ball in in-goal provided they are not in possessio ... h down, defending players may knock the ball backwards, or pull the ball from the player’s possessio
7 Advantage
d and the referee must blow the whistle immediately when: a. The ball or a player in possession of the bal
9 Foul play
g the opportunity to play the ball, other than by competing for possession. Sanction: Penalty. 9. ... t not tackle an opponent who is not in possession of the ball. Sanction: Penalty. 9.15 Except in a scrum, ruck or maul, a player who is not in possession of the ball must not hold, push, charge or obstruct an opponent not in possession of the ball, or push a teammate with or without the bal
17 Mark
s a free-kick to the team in possession. 17.4 A mark may not be claimed from a kick-of
Beach Touch Rugby
s not occurred, play resumes with a free pass to the team in possession of the ball when play stopped. If neither team had possession the attacking team is awarded the free pass. Law 7: Mode of Play 7. ... d by these Laws, play restarts with a free pass to the team last in possession of the ball. If neither team was in possession, the attacking team is awarded the free pass. Law 8: Advantage 8.1 The advantag
Beach Fives Rugby
t and the ball has not been made dead play restarts with a free kick to the team last in possession of the ball. If neither team was in possession, the attacking team is awarded the free kick. Law 7: Mod ... s with a free kick to the team last in possession of the ball. If neither team was in possessio ... w Forward 12.1 A knock-on occurs when a player loses ball possession, or contacts the ball with hand or ar
Beach Tag Rugby
d play restarts with a free pass to the team last in possession of the ball. If neither team was in possession, the attacking team is awarded the free pass. Law 7: Mode of Play 7.1 A match is starte ... s with a free pass to the team last in possession of the ball. If neither team was in possessio ... k on and Throw Forward 12.1 A knock-on occurs when a player loses ball possession, or contact
Law Application Guideline - January 2023
r could gain possession. Players must endeavour to catch the ball. Referees are asked to show good judgement when deciding if a player has a reasonable expectation of catching and gaining possessio
2024-07 Law changes
t on 1 July 2024. From that date, they will be reflected in World Rugby's digital law content. &nbs ... y touches the ball without gaining possession of it. New definition: Loiter/Loiterin ... e, a scrum is awarded to the team in possession. a team-mate may take the FK Presentatio
Clarification 4-2009
n possession by taking the ball from the ball carriers possession. Law 16.1 (b) states: How can a ruc ... r on their feet may attempt to gain possession by taking the ball from the ball carriers possession. Law 1 ... l contact over the ball and implies that the ball is not in the possession of any player. Providin ... e with possession of the ball even if a player from the opposition makes contact with those player
10 Offside and onside in open play
s the ball; or ii. Intentionally touches the ball without gaining possession of it. c. The ball ha
15 Ruck
y. During a ruck 15.10 Possession may be won either by rucking or by pushing the opposing team of
2025-01 - Global Law Trials
l laws content . Timings Rationale: Shorter stoppages in play Conversio ... s at tunnel 19.30a Once play in the scrum begins, the scrum-half of the team not in possessio
XRugby
k, but the scrum is contested in that both teams can hook the ball and thereby win possession in the scru ... l the ball is lifted by the scrum half of the team which gains possession of the ball. Lineou
18 Touch, quick throw and lineout
e for possession of the ball. b. Catch or deflect the ball. A jumper may catch or deflect the bal ... l the lineout is over. Sanction: Free-kick. e. Grasp and bring an opponent in possession of the bal ... n: Penalty. Ending a lineout 18.38 The lineout ends when: a. The ball or a player in possessio
Clarification 7-2015
s are ruling a knock-on, whereas the player in possession has neither lost possession of the ball, nor has h ... g the ball from a player’s possession in the field of play who is reaching out to score, albei ... n, and that the Law intends that it is not legal to kick the ball from the hands of a player in possession in an ... d members agree that it is illegal to kick the ball from the hands of a player in possession in an
6 Match officials
n-player in in-goal and either team gains an advantage: a. If the ball is in possession of an attacking player, the referee awards a try where the contact took place. b. If the ball is in possessio
8 Scoring
l provided the player is not in possession of the ball. Grounding the ball Scoring a tr
Clarification 4-2011
r loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, or when a player hits the ball forwar ... r scenarios where the ball is ripped out of the possession of a ball-carrier by an opponen ... m in front and rips the ball out of A’s hands such that neither player has possession of the bal ... m behind and rips the ball out of A’s hands such that neither player has possession of the bal
Clarification 2-2026
y of possession.” The Charter stresses the equal importance in Rugby Union of both – with nine reference ... t the request, the rucks defined suggest a contest for possession is over, the ball secure ... y. The laws highlighted focus on the contest for possession. Match officials must appl
Clarification 8-2004
e, A2-player is still on his feet, playing the ball and is about to gain the possession of the bal ... t to gain possession by taking the ball from the ball carrier’s possession.” A2-player, by this law, can still continue to play the ball or to attempt to gain the possession. The JRFU Ruling sai
Clarification 2-2005
e, play will be brought back for a scrum with the team in possession at the time of the event to hav ... y will be brought back for a scrum with the team in possession at the time of the event to have the thro
Clarification 8-2009
B will contest for possession of the ball and form a maul. Team B at no time during the catching of the ball, or while team A form what they expect to be a maul, contest for possession of the ball. Onc
Clarification 1-2014
Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee Clarification 1-2014 Union / HP Ref Manager SARU Law Reference 12 Date 2014-05-09 Request Law 12 – Knock-on Law 12, definition states, “a knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, or whe ... l carrier from team Blue to loose possession of the ball and it travels forward. Please confir
Clarification 4-2008
d and it is not still active. As the players of the team not in possession have all left the maul the maul cease
Clarification 11-2003
d the legs (knee height) of the #8, who still has his #6 bound to him. The #8 still in possession of the bal