LAW 18. TACKLE, LYING WITH, ON OR NEAR THE BALL

A tackle occurs when a player carrying the ball in the field-of-play is held by one or more opponents so that while he is so held he is brought to the ground or the ball comes into contact with the ground. If the ball carrier is on one knee, or both knees, or is sitting on the ground, or is on top of another player who is on the ground, the ball carrier is deemed to have been brought to the ground.

(1)
(a)
A tackled player must immediately
pass the ball
or
release the ball
and
get up or move away from the ball.

(b)
After a tackle any other player must be on his feet when he plays the ball.

I.R.F.B. Ruling

The requirement of Law 18(l)(b) relates to the first player to play the ball after a tackle. No distance is specified for the ball to be from the tackle but if the ball has travelled into In-goal there is no requirement for a player who forces the ball to be on his feet.

(c)
A player who goes to the ground and gathers the ball or with the ball in his possession but who is not tackled must immediately get up on his feet with the ball

or

pass the ball

or

release the ball

and

get up or move away from the ball.

Notes:-
(i)
The requirement to release the ball allows a player to put the ball on the ground in any direction or to push it along the ground (but not in a forward direction), provided the action is immediate.

(ii)
It is not a tackle if the ball carrier is lifted by an opponent so that both his feet are off the ground.

(iii)
If a tackled player does not pass or release the ball immediately and the referee is in doubt as to responsibility for failure to pass or release it, he should at once order a scrummage.

(iv)
If a tackle occurs in such a position that the tackled player whilst complying with the Law, is able to place the ball on or over the goal line he may do so to obtain a try or a touchdown. In such circumstances an opposing player may attempt to prevent the try or touchdown by pulling the ball from the player in possession but must not kick the ball.

(v)
If a tackle occurs near the goal-line and the ball, having been released by the tackled player, goes into the In-goal, any player of either team may ground the ball and need not be on his feet in these circumstances.

(vi)
Danger may arise if a tackled player fails to pass or release or move away from the ball at once or is prevented from doing so. In such cases the referee should not delay in awarding a penalty kick.

(vii)
Advantage shall be played only if it occurs immediately.
(2)
It is illegal for any player:-
(a)
to prevent a tackled player from passing or releasing the ball, or getting up or moving away after he has passed or released it,

(b)
to pull the ball from a tackled player's possession or attempt to pick up the ball before the tackled player has released it,

(c)
while lying on the ground after a tackle to play or interfere with the ball in any way or to tackle or attempt to tackle an opponent carrying the ball,

(d)
to willfully fall on or over a player lying on the ground with the ball in his possession,

(e)
to willfully fall on or over players lying on the ground with the ball between them or in close proximity, or

(f)
while lying on the ground in close proximity to the ball to prevent an opponent from gaining possession of it.

Note:-
(viii)
Close proximity means within one meter.
(3)
A player must not fall on or over the ball emerging from a scrummage or ruck.

Penalty:- Penalty kick at the place of infringement.

(4)
A try may be scored if the momentum of a player carries him into his opponents In-goal even though he is tackled.

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