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Preamble
The
following USA Rugby Guidelines on the Application
of Law (Guidelines) are intended for all USA
coaches, players, referees and touch judges for
use in the 2001-2002 season. The Guidelines were
first developed in 2000 by a panel that included
coaches (selected by the USA Rugby National
Technical Panel) and referees (selected by the USA
Rugby Referees Association (USARRA)).
Responsibility for the 2001 update was
assigned to the Laws Committee of the USARRA, the
membership of which is essentially the same as the
joint group of referees and coaches that developed
the 2000 Guidelines.
The Guidelines have been modified to
reflect:
-
Directives from the IRB with respect to
some aspects of play.
-
Amendments to the Laws of the Game approved
by the IRB at its April 2001 Council meeting.
-
Experience with application of the
Guidelines during the past year.
Adjustments
for circumstances unique to rugby in America were
made where appropriate and will be made in the
future on an annual basis.
Responsibilities
The
Guidelines are intended primarily for application
on the field-of-play.
However, coaches, players, club officials,
referees and touch judges all have
responsibilities before and during any match in
which they participate.
It is important that players play the game
in accordance with the Laws of the Game and be
mindful of their own safety and the safety of
others. It is the responsibility of those who
coach or teach the game to ensure that players
are prepared in a manner which ensures
compliance with the Laws of the Game and in
accordance with safe practices. Rugby is a
vigorous, contact sport that requires of all
participants a degree of physical and mental
fitness that is commensurate with the level of
match in which they are involved.
All players from time to time play with
minor injuries.
However, playing with a serious injury
brings with it significant and some times
unacceptable risks.
This applies in particular to concussions,
the handling of which may be found in Section
11.0, Team Support.
The
Guidelines on the Application of Law are worded in
terms of what both players and referees are
expected to do to ensure compliance with the Laws
of the Game.
Although
coaches’ directives are not specifically
addressed in this document, it is implicit that
coaches have a responsibility to coach players in
a manner consistent with this document. Players
are expected to know what the Laws of the Game
require them to do. If they infringe, or if they
are perceived to be at risk of infringing, the
referee is encouraged to use preventive language.
The Guidelines offer standard preventive phrases
to be used by the referee so that all players will
know what the referee requires with only a few
spoken words.
The preventive phrases should be offered
when needed; they should be directed at the
appropriate players; they should be specific with
regard to the desired action; and they should be
pertinent to the situation.
Players should heed the preventive remarks
of the referee as soon as they are spoken ; the
referee should not have to repeat the command.
If a preventive phrase needs to be
repeated, it means an offense has been committed.
Moreover, players should not depend on the
referee to tell them what they must do in a given
situation; they should initiate the action on
their own volition.
The
primary focus of these Guidelines is on the
responsibilities of players and referees, but
other aspects are covered as well:
-
Section 11 covers team support.
-
Section 12 discusses players' clothing.
-
Section 13 discusses the responsibilities
of touch judges.
-
Section 14 discusses requirements for the
ground.
-
Section 15 provides a Code of Conduct for
all members of USA Rugby.
-
Section 16 provides a table of penalties
for foul play infringements.
1.0
Tackles
1.1
There are three priorities for players in
the tackle situation:
-
The tacklers must release the tackled
player.
-
The tackled player must play or release the
ball.
-
Arriving players must remain on their feet.
1.2
The first priority at a tackle situation is
for tacklers to let the tackled player play the
ball immediately.
1.2.1
If tacklers do not get up on their feet
they must immediately move away and let the
tackled player play the ball.
If tacklers on the ground are pinned and
cannot move away, they still must let the tackled
player play the ball immediately.
Tacklers on the ground should not take any
action that delays availability of the ball to
players on their feet.
1.2.2
The referee will encourage any tackler that
remains on the ground to release and move away
from the tackled player immediately and not reduce
the options of the team in possession of the ball.
When it is necessary to use preventive
talk, the standard preventive phrase will be “Roll
away”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
In order for this phrase to be preventive
it should be used as the tackle is going to ground
so the tackler knows what is expected after the
tackle has been made.
For example, this phrase could be used when
the tackler has grasped the ball carrier around
the upper body and arms, which is likely to result
in a smother tackle.
This phrase is also recommended when the
tackler is on the ground in the path of arriving
players.
1.3
The second priority at a tackle situation
is for the tackled player to play (pass, release,
place, push, or roll) the ball so that it is
immediately available to arriving players and to
tacklers who are on their feet.
1.3.1
The tackled player must play the ball
without delay and without any second effort.
The player should take no further part in
the action until standing again.
The player should not hold the ball until
support players arrive.
If a player (either an opponent or a
team-mate) is standing over the tackled player and
is waiting to play the ball, then the tackled
player must release the ball to the standing
player. In
this situation, the tackled player has lost the
options to pass the ball, or to place, push, or
roll it. A
tackled player on the ground must not take any
action which delays the availability of the ball,
thereby limiting the options of the opponents and
encouraging the rucking of players on the ground.
For example, if the ball carrier is tackled
so that the ball is placed on the opponent's side
of the tackle, the tackled player must not roll
over the ball to put it back on that player’s
side of the tackle.
1.3.2
The referee will encourage the tackled
player to play the ball immediately. When it is
necessary to use preventive talk, the standard
preventive phrase will be “Play
it”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
In order for this phrase to be preventive
it should be used as the tackle is going to ground
so that the ball carrier knows what is expected
as soon as the tackle has been made.
For example, this phrase could be used when
the tackler has grasped the ball carrier around
the lower body or legs, which allows the tackled
ball carrier to play the ball immediately.
The referee will encourage the tackled
player to release the ball to a player who is
standing and competing for the ball.
When it is necessary to use preventive talk
in this situation, the standard preventive phrase
will be “Release
it”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
If the tackled player is curled around the
ball after placing it, or is so close to the ball
after placing it that the options of arriving
opponents are limited, the referee will use the
phrase “Roll
away”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number. If the tackled player is
kneeling on the ground and over the ball, the
player may play the ball provided it is played
immediately. When it is necessary to use
preventive talk in this situation, the standard
preventive phrase will be “Play
it”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
1.4
The third priority at a tackle situation is
for arriving players to stay on their feet and
enter the tackle area from the side of the tackle
nearest their goal line.
1.4.1
Arriving players must enter the tackle area
from behind the ball and from behind the tackled
player or the tackler closest to the arriving
player's goal line. Arriving players who are
trying to retrieve the ball must be on their feet.
In staying on their feet, arriving players
must have no part of their body supported by the
ground or by players lying on the ground.
It is acceptable for arriving players to
place a hand on a body on the ground (or the
ground) provided it is only for balance. Arriving
players must be endeavoring to form a ruck, which
means they must be going over the ball in a
driving, not diving, fashion.
The intent of the drive is to form a ruck;
the intent of the dive is to seal off the ball, or
to interfere with opponents who enter the tackle
area from the correct side. Arriving players must
not deliberately fall on the tackle in order to
seal the ball.
Arriving players must not prevent the
tackler(s) or tackled player from getting up or
moving away.
If the arriving players are on their feet,
they may contest for possession of the ball.
Players on the ground may not.
If an arriving player gains possession of
the ball, that player should not go to ground
within one meter of the tackle, unless tackled by
an opponent.
1.4.2
Referees will encourage arriving players to
stay on their feet. When it is necessary to use
preventive talk, the standard preventive phrase
will be “Stay
on your feet”.
If a ruck is formed and, because of
inadequate opposition, the ruck is driven a meter
or so beyond the ball and the players then go to
ground involuntarily the referee should not
penalize them. The referee should allow players on
their feet to contest for possession of the ball,
including taking the ball from the tackled
player’s hands.
Referees will deal firmly with players who:
-
Slow down ball delivery.
-
Deliberately infringe.
2.0
Transitions between Tackles, Rucks and
Mauls
2.1
If players on their feet try to pick up the
ball at a tackle situation, the referee must decide
whether or not the tackle is still in effect, and
at what point arriving players cause it to become
a ruck.
2.1.1
If the ball is still in the tackled
player's possession, players on their feet have
priority and the tackled player must allow these
players to take the ball.
2.1.2
Players involved in the tackle, who remain
on their feet, may play the ball.
They are not required to go behind the
ball, the tackled player, or the tackler closest
to their goal line before doing so.
2.1.3
Tacklers or tackled players that stand up
may re-enter play as soon as they are on their
feet.
2.1.4
Arriving players who have entered the
tackle area correctly, are allowed to play the
ball.
2.1.5
If a player who is standing places a hand
on the ball on the ground but has not yet gained
possession of it when an opponent who is standing
comes into contact with that player over the ball,
then a ruck has formed and the ball must be
released. As
soon as this situation occurs, the standard
preventive phrase is “Ruck
formed. Hands off.”
2.1.6
If a player who has gained possession of
the ball on the ground by placing two hands on it,
and if an opponent who is standing comes into
contact with that player over the ball, no ruck is
formed, but the player must immediately play the
ball.
2.2
The referee can help players by letting
them know what is happening.
If the referee sees a ruck has formed
rather than a tackle, the standard preventive
phrase is “Ruck
formed.” If the referee sees a maul has
formed, the standard preventive phrase is “Maul
formed.” Further instructions may include
“Back
foot”, “Stay on your feet”, or
“Keep it up.”
2.3
The ball carrier in a maul may convert the
maul to a ruck by going to ground and placing the
ball on the ground.
If the ball carrier elects to go to ground,
a ruck is formed if the ball is on the ground with
players from each team on their feet contesting
for the ball.
In this case, play should continue.
A pileup is formed if the ball is on the
ground but players are no longer on their feet.
A pileup also is formed if the ball is held
by a player lying on the ground with players on
top of him. In
the case of a pileup, if the ball is not
immediately available, the referee should without
delay award a scrum to the team not in possession
at the formation of the maul.
An exception is when a maul is formed
immediately after a player catches the ball direct
from an opponent’s kick other than a kick-off or
drop-out, in which case the scrum is awarded to
the team who received the kick.
2.4
A player at the back of a ruck may not pick
the ball up and bind onto team-mate in front of
that player.
3.0
Rucks
3.1
Players are expected to conform to the
following requirements in rucks:
3.1.1
Players must join the ruck from behind the
hindmost foot of their side in the ruck.
3.1.2
All players joining the ruck must bind
with at least one arm around the body of
any team-mate in the ruck.
From a coaching point of view, it is noted
that productive forward play in a ruck is best
accomplished by binding on to players in the ruck
and achieving a shoulder drive.
Proper binding results in increased
stability of the ruck, because players will be
more prone to join the ruck with their shoulders
above their hips, and enhanced power of the drive
through the unified effort of individual players.
3.1.3
Tackles frequently result in quick dynamic
rucks and arriving players of both teams can
"drive through" the formation phase of
the ruck. Opponents on the arriving team's side of
the ball who are within one meter of the ball, and
who are in the path of arriving players may be
driven off the ball. Opponents who are within one
meter beyond the ball may be driven into provided
the action is intended to win the ruck rather than
to clean out defenders who are tactically trying
to get into position to defend against subsequent
attacking moves close to the ruck.
3.1.4
Players are allowed to ruck players on the
ground, but they are not allowed to kick, stamp or
trample players on the ground.
A proper rucking action is attempting to
make the ball available with a backwards push of
the foot, not a kick. The head of the player on
the ground is a "No
Go" area.
3.1.5
Players who do not join the ruck must
remain behind the hindmost foot.
Players must be
responsible about staying on-side.
Off-side defenders reduce space and playing
options; off-side attackers obstruct defenders.
Repeated offenses will result in players
being temporarily suspended.
3.1.6
The scrum-half (or other player performing
this role at the ruck) is allowed, in pursuit of
making the ball available, to place one hand on
the ball while it is in the ruck.
Once the scrum-half places two hands on the
ball, the ball is considered to be out of the ruck
and the ruck has ended.
Opponents of the scrum-half in the ruck may
not interfere with the scrum-half’s clearance of
the ball.
3.2
Referees are expected to manage rucks as
follows:
3.2.1
Most pileups are created by illegal actions
and the referee should make every effort
to identify the cause of the pileup and
penalize accordingly.
3.2.2
When necessary, referees are encouraged to
ensure participants become and remain properly
bound (the whole arm from hand to shoulder) by
prompting the players with the standard preventive
phrase “Bind
on”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
3.2.3
Referees can encourage non-participants at
the ruck to stay behind the hindmost foot in the
ruck by saying “Back
foot” .
3.2.4
Referees should
deal firmly with "loiterers" who
interfere with play.
4.0
Mauls
4.1
Players are expected to conform to the
following requirements in mauls:
4.1.1
Players may only join the maul from behind
the hindmost foot.
4.1.2
Players may “roll” a maul in a bound
mass with the ball.
In such a rolling move, the ball carrier's
team-mates who are in front of the ball are
participants in the maul and are not obstructing
or shielding.
4.1.3
Players may detach from a maul with the
ball, in which case the maul is over and the ball
carrier(s) may be tackled.
In a rolling move after detachment, the
ball carrier's team-mates also may detach and move
forward provided they remain behind the ball
carrier. They
must not act as a shield by advancing ahead of the
ball carrier.
4.1.4
If two players of the same team detach from
a maul, with both players holding the ball, or
with one player bound onto the ball carrier from
behind, an opposing player may initiate a tackle
and complete it provided the action is continuous
and without delay.
This will be considered a tackle, not a
collapsed maul.
If the tackle is not completed, the referee
should indicate that another maul has formed and
that it should not be taken down by saying “Maul
formed. Keep it up”.
4.1.5
Opponents participating in a maul must not
interfere with the scrum-half of the team winning
the ball.
4.1.6
A player who becomes caught in the
opponent's side of the maul while it is forming is
not off-side, and any attempt to drag this player
out of the maul is an offense.
4.2
Referees are expected to manage mauls as
follows:
4.2.1
When necessary, the referee can encourage
players not to collapse the maul by using the
standard preventive phrase, “Maul
formed. Keep it up”.
4.2.2
Referees can encourage players to join
correctly and non-participants to remain on-side
by using the standard phrase, “Back
foot”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
4.2.3
If a participant is no longer correctly
bound to the maul, the referee can encourage the
player to take corrective action by using the
standard phrase “Get
back”, with
the possible addition of jersey color and
player number.
4.2.4
A maul ends successfully when the ball
leaves the maul, when the ball is on or over the
goal line or when the ball is on the ground.
4.2.5
If a maul is stationary at its formation,
the referee may let the team in possession of the
ball know that they are in danger of losing the
ball, by using the standard phrase “Five
seconds”.
In any event, the players in the maul will
have five seconds from the formation of the maul
to start the maul moving forward.
Either team may start the forward movement.
If the maul does not move forward within
the five seconds, and the referee can see that the
ball is being moved, the referee will use the
standard phrase “Use
it” and then allow a reasonable time for the
ball to emerge.
4.2.6
If a maul is moving forward at its
formation, and then stops doing so, the referee
will use the standard phrase “Five
seconds”.
The players in the maul will then have five
seconds to start the maul moving again in the same
direction. If the maul does not move again in the
same direction within the five seconds, but the
referee can see that the ball is being moved the
referee will use the standard phrase “Use
it” and then allow a reasonable time for the
ball to emerge.
4.2.7
If the maul moves forward and then reverses
direction, and the referee can see that the ball
is being moved the referee will use the standard
phrase “Use
it” and then allow a reasonable time for the
ball to emerge.
4.2.8
The referee is encouraged to move around
the maul to locate the position of the ball.
4.2.9
Once the referee has used the phrase “Use
it”, the maul should not be allowed to move
again.
4.2.10
If the ball does not emerge, or the ball
becomes otherwise unplayable, the referee will
award a scrum, and award the put-in according to
Law.
4.2.11
Referees will deal firmly with
"loiterers" who interfere with play.
5.0
Scrums
5.1
Players are expected to conform to the
following requirements in scrums:
5.1.1
During pre-match preparation activities,
the referee will meet with the front row players
and scrum-halves of each team, as well as their
replacements and substitutes, to explain the scrum
management process.
The referee's verbal calls and engagement
at scrum time must be consistent throughout the
match, and they must be consistent with the
pre-game instructions.
The sequence and standard phrase for the
scrum engagement procedure is:
-
Direct
the scrum-half to be ready early
-
Keep the scrum apart until the ball is
available for the put-in.
-
Manage the spacing and crouch sequence
prior to engagement.
If difficulties occur, the referee should
sort them out prior to saying “Hold”.
-
Once the players are crouched and ready to
engage, the referee will say “Hold”
and check for readiness to engage.
If there is a problem, the referee should
blow the whistle rather than say “Hold”
again. After
blowing the whistle, the referee will attend to
the problem and repeat the preparation sequence up
to the “Hold”
command.
-
When the referee is satisfied with the
readiness to engage, the referee will say “Engage”
The word “Engage”
should not be given in a predictable cadence with
the word “Hold”
The players are expected to engage promptly
after the referee says “Engage”.
If a player does not engage promptly or
properly (including “bailing out” or standing
up) after the referee says “Engage”,
that player may be subject to penalty.
It should be emphasized that when the
referee calls “Engage”
this is not a command, but allows the front rows
to engage when ready.
Note:
There is a
different scrum engagement procedure for Under-19
Rugby.
5.1.2
After the engagement the props must be
pushing straight with spines parallel to the
ground, heads above hips, and binding correctly
according to the Law.
The loose-head prop’s left arm may no
longer be placed on the thigh for support.
The loose-head prop must bind onto the
opposing tight-head prop's back or side.
No prop may
bind onto an
opponent's arm, sleeve, chest, or collar.
No prop may exert any downward pressure.
5.1.3
If the loose-head prop is at risk of losing
balance, the prop may, in the interests of safety,
place the left hand on the ground to regain
balance, but the hand must not remain on the
ground, nor may the action be used to generate
leverage against the opponent.
5.1.4
After the engagement, the scrum-half must
put the ball into the scrum straight, and without
delay along the middle line between the two front
rows so there can be
a fair contest for the ball.
When the scrum-halves put the ball into the
scrum they must stand at least one meter away from
the “mark” on the middle line of the scrum so
that their heads do not touch the scrum or go
beyond the nearest front row player.
The ball must be released by the scrum-half
from outside the tunnel and the outer arms of the
props.
5.1.5
Throughout the scrum, front row players
must stay tightly bound to each other, and the
props to their opponents.
Front row players must not collapse the
scrum, lift an opponent, stand up, or force an
opponent up out of the scrum.
5.1.6
The No. 8’s head may be raised provided
that one arm up to the shoulder is completely
bound around a lock.
5.1.7
Before the scrum wheels through ninety
degrees, the team with the ball must "use it
or lose it".
5.1.8
If a scrum becomes stationary and does not
start moving immediately the ball must emerge
immediately.
If it does not another scrum is ordered
with the team not in possession at the time of
stoppage throwing in the ball.
5.1.9
The ball is considered to be out of the
scrum if it is no longer under control of a player
in the scrum or as soon as the scrum-half or the
hindmost player of the scrum places two hands on
the ball. A
player that is using a foot to present the ball
for clearance has the ball under control.
5.2
Referees are expected to manage scrums as
follows:
5.2.1
The referee must not physically interfere
with the engagement procedure by standing or
holding a hand in the line of sight of any front
row player. If
the referee is positioned on the put-in side, it
is suggested the referee stand just to the side of
the tunnel to allow the scrum-half to be on the
middle line at engagement.
5.2.2
The referee must award an immediate free
kick (penalty kick for charging) if the engagement
is not acceptable, unless it cannot be determined
who was responsible, in which case the scrum will
be reset.
5.2.3
The first priority for
the referee is to manage the scrum
engagement. Then
the referee should manage other unlawful actions,
such as illegal binding, boring in, twisting,
pulling down, or foot movement indicating an
effort to collapse the scrum.
5.2.4
The referee will check that props are
"square", pushing straight, and binding
correctly according to Law.
The loose-head prop’s left arm may no
longer be placed on the thigh for support. The
prop must bind onto the opposing tight-head prop's
back or side.
No prop is allowed to bind on an opponent's
arm, sleeve,
chest, or collar. The standard phrases will be "Push
straight", "No boring",
"Binding", and
"Arm up", with the possible addition
of jersey color and player number.
5.2.5
The referee will ensure that no prop player
puts an outside hand on the ground to use it as
leverage against an opponent. The sanction is a
penalty kick. The standard phrase will be "Binding"
or “Arm Up”, with the possible addition of
jersey color and player number.
5.2.6
The referee will, after the scrum
engagement, ensure that the scrum is stationary
before allowing the scrum-half to put in the ball.
5.2.7
The referee will ensure that the ball is
put in straight, without delay, along the
middle line between the two front rows so
there can be a fair contest for the ball. The
standard phrases will be “In
straight” and “No
delay”.
5.2.8
The referee will enforce the Experimental
Law Variation relating to wheeling.
Before
the scrum has gone through ninety degrees
the team with the ball must "use it or lose
it" As
the scrum approaches ninety degrees, the referee
should alert the players in possession to play the
ball with the standard phrase “Use
it”. If
the ball is not played once the scrum has gone
through ninety degrees the referee will reset the
scrum and award the put-in to the team not in
possession of the ball in the wheeled scrum.
If neither team won possession of the ball
prior to the scrum wheeling ninety degrees, then
the team that previously put the ball into the
scrum will be awarded the put-in.
The new scrum will be formed at the place
where the previous scrum ended.
5.2.9
Scrum collapses are potentially dangerous
situations and referees should be very strict in
penalizing unsafe play.
Under no circumstances in any match in
these situations may advantage be applied.
At all levels, when the temper of the game
permits, referees should work with the players to
deal with collapses.
5.2.10
The binding requirements for loose
forwards, including the No. 8, will be enforced.
The standard phrase will be “Stay
bound”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
5.2.11
Where player cooperation is absent,
referees will apply the appropriate free
kick/penalty kick sanctions.
If necessary, the referee has the option to
go to uncontested scrums.
5.2.12
Referees will monitor scrum off-side lines
closely. The standard phrase will be “Back
foot”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
5.2.13
Following the award of a free kick/penalty
kick for a scrum offense, the referee will not
give a mark for the kick until the front rows have
separated.
6.0
Line-out
6.1
Players are expected to conform to the
following requirements in the line-out:
6.1.1
Players can arrive at their own pace but
there is to be no delay in forming the line-out.
A "team/forward huddle" before
forming the line-out
is permitted.
If the huddle is within 10 meters of the
line-of-touch, all the forwards in the huddle must
join the line-out.
6.1.2
The player throwing the ball in at the
line-out must do so without feint or delay, from a
position on or behind the touch line straight
along the middle line so that it is initially
played on that line no closer than five meters
from the touch line.
In practical terms the middle line is
represented by a line that is one meter wide along
the line-of-touch. However, if the gap between the
shoulders is wider than one meter the ball should
still be thrown in within the one-meter-wide line
along the line of touch.
6.1.3
Pre-gripping below the waistband of the
jumper's shorts is not permitted.
6.1.4
A player supporting a jumper from in front
of the jumper may support the jumper anywhere on
or above the thighs.
6.1.5
A player supporting a jumper from behind
the jumper may support the jumper on or above the
shorts.
6.1.6
Players must not jump early (prior to the
throw-in) for the ball and they may not be
supported in the air to await the throw-in.
6.1.7
Players who support a jumping team-mate
must lower that player safely to the ground as
soon as the ball has been won by a player of
either team.
6.1.8
Players in the line-out must remain on-side
(behind the line-of-touch before the ball is
thrown, and behind the ball after it has been
thrown-in, and no further than 15 meters from the
touch line) until the line-out is ended.
6.1.9
In a peeling movement, peeling players no
longer need to remain close to the line-out, nor
do they need to move parallel to the line-out.
However, they must remain within the area between
the line-of-touch and ten meters behind the
line-of-touch until the line-out is ended.
6.1.10
In the event the peeling movement is
aborted and either a ruck or a maul is formed at
the line-out, the peeling players must either join
the ruck or the maul, or move to the off-side line
through the hindmost foot of the ruck or the maul,
and remain there in compliance with the off-side
law until the line-out is ended.
6.1.11
A player entering the line-out from the
receiver position may either take the ball or
support a player jumping for the ball.
6.1.12
After the throw the thrower and the
thrower’s opposite number may join the line-out.
6.2
Referees are expected to manage line-outs
as follows:
6.2.1
Referees will ensure that the throw-in is
taken properly so that there is a
fair contest for the ball. The standard
phrases will be “In
straight” and “Gap”.
6.2.2
If players of either team jump before the
ball has left the hands of the thrower and
a line-out jumper is supported and
suspended in the air, the referee will determine
whether or not the thrower feinted at the throw-in
and then:
-
Remind players at the next line-out that
early jumping and remaining supported is not
permitted.
-
Remind the thrower at the next line-out
that feinting is not permitted.
-
If on the first occasion either team wins
the ball by an illegal method, a free kick will be
awarded to the non-offending team.
-
If the line-out is not lost by the
non-offending team, the referee will play
advantage and talk to the offending team at the
next line-out.
-
If the offense continues, free kicks and
sanctions for repeated infringement should be
applied.
6.2.3
Referees will encourage line-out
participants and non-participants to remain
on-side. The standard phrases will be “Stay
on-side” for participants and “Ten
meters” for non-participants.
6.2.4
Referees will deal strictly and harshly
with dangerous acts of foul play committed on
jumpers in the air.
6.2.5
Referees will watch for deliberate acts of
foul play by a jumpers’ illegal use of their
inside arms.
6.2.6
Referees will watch for deliberate acts of
foul play by a jumper’s interference with other
jumpers’ legitimate use of their inside arms.
7.0
Off-side and Obstruction at Restarts and in
Open Play
7.1
On restarts and in open play, players are
expected to conform to the following requirements:
7.1.1
On penalty or free kicks, members of the
infringing team must retire ten meters before
re-entering play unless they are in the act of
retiring and are put on-side by an advancing
on-side team-mate.
These off-side players are not put on-side
by any action of the kicking team.
7.1.2
On kicks in open play, team-mates of the
kicker who are ahead of the kicker must not
advance until put on-side.
Offside team-mates of the kicker who are in
front of an imaginary ten meter line of where the
ball lands, or may land, or an opponent waiting to
receive the kick, must retire behind the imaginary
10-meter line.
7.1.3
In open-play attacking movements
players often run in front of ball carriers
and the ball is then passed behind these
"decoy" runners.
The effect is that
defenders can be prevented from gaining
access to the ball or the ball carrier, even when
contact has not been made with the opposition.
This does not mean to say that all
"decoy" plays are illegal.
It is appropriate for the “decoy” play
to cause a defender to pause, but it is illegal
for decoy runners
to obstruct defending players' running
angles or their approach to the ball carrier.
7.1.4
It is permissible for the ball carrier to
cause an opponent to commit to the tackle
immediately prior to the ball carrier passing the
ball (for example, a screen pass).
7.1.5
It is not permissible for the ball carrier
to use a team-mate as a “pick”, shield,
or obstruction to avoid being tackled by an
opponent.
7.1.6
Players without the ball may not willfully
move or stand in a position that prevents an
opponent from tackling a ball carrier.
This applies to off-side players and to
on-side players.
In either case the act is obstruction and
should be penalized.
7.1.6.1
Players of the team winning the ball at a
tackle/ruck/maul may not stand to the side and in
front of the last foot (off-side line) in order to
alter or otherwise change the running lines of
their opponents. This is both an off-side and an
obstruction infringement.
7.1.6.2
An on-side team-mate of the ball carrier
may not trail the ball carrier in a manner
primarily intended to prevent opponents from
tackling the
ball carrier.
This is obstruction.
However, an on-side player may take a
running line primarily intended to put the player
in a position to receive a pass from the ball
carrier.
7.1.6.3
Subject to these limitations, moves
including screen passes, players undertaking
scissors movements, players running in front of
ball carriers and players passing behind other
players are permitted.
7.2
Referees are expected to manage restarts
and open play as follows:
7.2.1
Referees will encourage players to be
on-side on restart kicks.
Preventive refereeing may be applied by
having the kicker delay the kick until players are
on-side. If
quick tap-kicks are taken, the referee must be
diligent in identifying players of the non-kicking
team who are not back ten meters.
Where appropriate, the standard preventive
phrase will be “Back
ten”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
7.2.2
Referees will encourage players to remain
on-side when following up in open play.
If team-mates of the kicker are advancing
in front of the kicker, the standard preventive
phrase that applies is “Wait”.
If offside team-mates of the kicker are in
front of the imaginary ten meter line of where the
ball lands, or may land,
the standard preventive phrase will be “Back
ten”, with the possible addition of jersey
color and player number.
7.2.3
Referees will be strict in dealing with
obstruction.
The referee will consider whether the act
was willful or accidental.
7.2.4
Persistent offending may be caused by
inexperienced players at lower levels of play, but
the referee must remain consistent in
enforcing
the Law.
7.2.5
In representative and senior
levels of play, persistent offending will
be considered a professional foul and will be
dealt with strictly.
Referees will use the guideline of a
caution and temporary suspension on the second
offense within a short time period
during the game.
7.2.6
A kicking tee of any dimensions may be
used.
8.0
Foul Play / Penalty Kick / Free Kick
8.1
Players must not take any action
contrary to the letter and the spirit of
the Game, including the commission of Foul
Play. The
latter includes obstruction, unfair play,
misconduct, dangerous play, unsporting behavior,
retaliation and repeated infringements.
8.2
Referees will deal strictly with incidents
of foul play.
If a player commits foul play, the referee
is expected to manage specific incidents by
awarding a penalty kick after doing one of the
following:
8.2.1
Admonish the player, which does not include
a formal caution.
8.2.2
Caution and temporarily suspend ("Sin
Bin") the player. The duration of each
temporary suspension is to be ten minutes. The
temporarily suspended player must report to the
appointed reserve Qualified Touch Judge.
If there is not an appointed reserve
Qualified Touch Judge, the suspended player
without delay must go to and remain at the center
of the opponent's dead-ball line. The period of
ten minutes does not include half time.
Referees will signify that a player has
been cautioned and temporarily suspended by
showing the player a yellow card.
Referees still must issue a verbal caution
and should not
rely exclusively on showing the card.
8.2.3
Order the player off. Referees will signify
that a player has been ordered off by showing the
player a red card.
Referees still must issue a verbal
ordering-off rather than rely exclusively on
showing the card.
8.3
Repeated infringements will be dealt with
strictly.
8.3.1
Referees will use the guideline of an
admonishment on the second offense within a short
time period during the match.
8.3.2
After three similar offenses by the same
player, the sequence of action for the referee is
as follows:
8.3.2.1
If, in the opinion of the referee, a player
has repeatedly infringed any Law, a penalty is to
be awarded and the player either is to be
cautioned and temporarily suspended or ordered
off. Also, the player’s captain will be
informed.
8.3.2.2
Similarly, if in the opinion of the
referee, a team has repeatedly infringed any Law,
a penalty is to be awarded, and the captain is to
be admonished and told that the next team member
who repeats the offense will be cautioned and
temporarily suspended, or ordered off.
8.3.3
Referee’s will need to use their
management skills to assess the seriousness of the
offenses in the context of the particular match at
hand. These
skills are important in keeping the game flowing
and in preventing foul play. In representative and
senior matches when a player commits a similar
offense three times the referee must caution and
temporarily suspend the player.
In junior matches involving inexperienced
players, the referee may not consider three
offenses to be serious enough to penalize for
repeated infringements.
8.3.4 | 
