Law 12 Kick-off and Restart Kicks

Law 12 Kick-off and Restart Kicks

1. When are kick-offs used?
Answer: To start each half.

2. When are restart kicks used?
Answer: To resume play after a score or touch down.

3. What type of kick is used for all kick-offs and restart kicks?
Answer: Dropped kick.

Sanction: the non-kicking team has the option of a re-kick or scrum.

Kick-offs and Restart Kicks Following A Score
1. Where are kick-offs taken from?
Answer: Behind the centre of the halfway line.

Sanction: the non-kicking team has the option of a re-kick or scrum.

2. Which team starts the second half?
Answer: The opponents of the team that kicked off in the first half.

3. After a team has scored, which team restarts play?
Answer: The non-scoring team on or behind the centre of the halfway line.

Sanction: the non-kicking team has the option of a re-kick or scrum.

4. When the ball is kicked, where must players be?
Answer: A. team-mates of the kicker must be behind the ball.

Sanction: scrum.

B. the opposition players must be on or behind their 10m line.

Sanction: the kick is taken again.

5. How far must the ball travel?
Answer: 10m.

Sanction: the non-kicking team has the option of a re-kick or a scrum.

6. If the ball reaches the 10m line but is blown back or if an opponent of the kicker plays the ball, what should the referee rule?
Answer: Play continues.

7. If the ball goes directly into touch, what should the referee rule?
Answer: Offer the non-kicking team the option of choosing A. a re-kick, B. scrum, C. lineout, D. quick throw.

8. If the ball is kicked into the opponents’ in-goal without touching a player and an opponent grounds the ball without delay or it goes dead, what should the referee rule?
Answer: Offer the non-kicking team the option of a scrum at halfway or a re-kick.

9. If the ball is kicked into the kicking team’s in-goal and is made dead by a defending player or it goes dead through in-goal, what should the referee rule?
Answer: Award the non-kicking team a 5m scrum.

Drop-outs (22m and try line)
1. When is a 22m drop out awarded?
Answer: A. an unsuccessful penalty goal or dropped goal attempt is grounded or made dead in in-goal by the defending team, or goes dead through in-goal, B. a team kicks the ball through their opponents’ in-goal and it goes dead (the defending team may choose a scrum where the ball was kicked instead).

When is a try-line drop-out awarded?
Answer: A. an attacking player carries, plays or kicks the ball into in-goal, fails to score, and the ball becomes dead in in-goal, B. a kick-off or restart goes into in-goal and a defender does not make the ball dead immediately, C. an attacking player knocks forward in the opponents’ in-goal, D. an attacking player charges the ball down and it goes dead through in-goal. The try-line drop-out is taken on or behind the try line, and must cross the 5m line.

2. How is a 22m drop out taken?
Answer: A. anywhere on or behind the 22m line

Sanction: scrum.

B. without delay.

Sanction: FK

C. the ball must cross the 22m line.

Sanction: the opposition has the option of a re-kick or a scrum.

D. the ball must not go directly into touch.

Sanction: the opposition chooses (i). re-kick, or (ii). a scrum, or (iii). a lineout, or (iv). a quick throw.

3. May an opponent of the kicker charge over the 22m line before the ball is kicked?
Answer: No.

Sanction: FK

4. May an opponent of the kicker who is inside the 22m area delay or obstruct the drop out?
Answer: No.

Sanction: PK

5. If the ball crosses the 22m line but is blown back, what should the referee rule?
Answer: Play continues.

6. If the ball does not reach the 22m line, can advantage apply?
Answer: Yes.

7. If a 22m drop out reaches the opposition in-goal without touching a player and it is grounded by an opponent without delay or it goes dead or touch-in-goal, what should the referee rule?
Answer: Offer the non-kicking team the option of a re-kick or a scrum on the kicking team’s 22m line.

8. Can the team-mates of the kicker be in front of the ball when it is kicked?
Answer: No. Team-mates of the kicker must be behind the ball when it is kicked. Players in front may be sanctioned unless they retire and do not interfere until put onside by a team-mate.

Sanction: scrum