LAW 10. KICK-OFF

Kick-off is (a) a place kick taken from the center of the half-way line by the team which has the right to start the match or by the opposing team on the resumption of play after the half-time interval or (b) a drop kick taken at or from behind the center of the half-way line by the defending team after the opposing side has scored.

(1)
The ball must be kicked from the correct place and by the correct form of kick; otherwise it shall be kicked off again.

Note:-

The use of sand, sawdust or an approved kicking tee is permitted for placing the ball.

(2)
The ball must reach the opponents' ten meters line, unless first played by an opponent; otherwise it shall be kicked off again, or a scrummage formed at the center, at the opponents' option. If it reaches the ten meters line and is then blown back, play shall continue.

(3)
If the ball is kicked directly into touch, the opposing team may accept the kick, have the ball kicked off again, or have a scrummage formed at the center.

(4)
If the ball crosses the opposing team's goal line from a kick-off, without touching or being touched by a player, the opposing team has the option of grounding the ball, making it dead, or playing on.

If the opposing team grounds the ball or makes it dead or the ball becomes dead by touch-in-goal or by touching or crossing the dead ball line, they will have the option of either having a scrummage formed at the center of the half-way line, with the put-in, or having the other team kick off again.

I.R.F.B. Ruling

Under Law 10(4), when the ball is kicked into the opponents In-goal from a kick-off, ``the opposing team has the option of grounding the ball, making it dead or playing on.'' This option must be exercised without delay, and if a defending player, after gathering the ball in In-goal, runs with it or passes it, he has taken the option to play on.

(5)
The kicker's team must be behind the ball when kicked - otherwise a scrummage shall be formed at the center.

(6)
The opposing team must stand on or behind the ten meter line. If they are in front of that line or if they charge before the ball has been kicked, it shall be kicked off again.

U.S.A.R.F.U. Variation: Kicking Tee

A Kicking Tee may be used for all place kicks, subject to the following conditions:

1)
Only a tee with the following specifications has U.S.A.R.F.U. approval:

i.
Constructed of soft, pliable polyurethane with rounded edges and no projections or prongs.

ii.
The tee has the form of a truncated cone with the following dimensions:

Diameter (top)   .........  92 mm (approx. 3-3/4 in.)
Diameter (bottom) ........ 132 mm (approx. 5-3/4 in.)
Width of rim at top ......  10 mm (approx.   3/8 in.)
Height (maximum) .........  32 mm (approx. 1-1/4 in.)
Dia. of center hole ......  72 mm (approx. 2-7/8 in.)
No other tees are permitted until approved by the U.S.A.R.F.U.

2)
The referee should, during the inspection of boots, inspect the tee for compliance with the U.S.A.R.F.U. Directive.

3)
A team may decide to use the tee or not. If a team chooses to do so it must provide the tee itself and the team is under no obligation to provide one for the opposition except when the opponent is a visiting team from another country. In the event of the use of the field is dependent on the use of the tee, the home team shall provide tees for use by both teams.

4)
For a kick at goal, the tee may only be asked for after a team has indicated it is kicking at goal.

5)
It is the responsibility of the kicking team to get the tee on and off the field promptly when a kick has been awarded. Delay will be considered by the referee as unnecessary delay of the game and penalized accordingly. It is suggested that the touch judge carry the tee and promptly throw it to the kicker at all place kicks. Immediately following the kick, the kicker is responsible for throwing the tee into touch. In the unlikely instance of the kicker getting involved in play prior to removing the tee from the field, a team member must get the tee into touch as soon as possible.

Go to Index

Continue to Law 11

Return to Contents Page