LAW 25. ON-SIDE

Player made on-side by action of his team

(1)

Any player who is off-side in general play becomes on-side as a result of any of the following actions of his team:-

• when the off-side player, without infringing Law 24A(2), has retired behind the player of his team who last kicked, touched or carried the ball, or
• when one of his team carrying the ball has run in front of him, or
• when one of his team has run in front of him after coming from the place or from behind the place where the ball was kicked.

  In order to put the off-side player on-side, this other player must be in the playing area, but he is not debarred from following up in touch or touch-in-goal.

Note:-

(i)

An off-side player who is within ten meters of an opponent waiting to play the ball or the place where the ball pitches must retire and continue to do so up to ten meters until he is put on-side. If he does not do so, he must be penalized.

(2)

Any player who is off-side in general play, except an off-side player within ten meters of an opponent waiting to play the ball or the place where the ball pitches, becomes on-side as a result of any of the following actions:-

• when an opponent carrying the ball has run five meters, or
• when an opponent kicks or passes the ball, or
• when an opponent intentionally touches the ball and does not catch or gather it. An off-side player within ten meters of an opponent waiting to play the ball or the place where the ball pitches cannot be put onside by any action of his opponents.

  Any other off-side player in general play is always put on-side when an opponent plays the ball.

(3)

A player who is in an off-side position when a scrummage, ruck, maul or line-out is forming or taking place and is retiring as required by Law 24(Off-side) becomes onside:-

• when an opponent carrying the ball has run five meters, or
• when an opponent has kicked the ball.

An off-side player in this situation is not put on-side when an opponent passes the ball.

Notes:-

(ii)

The referee should be careful to ensure that no benefit under Law 25(2) is gained by loiterers who willfully remain in an off-side position and thereby prevent opponents from running with, kicking, passing or otherwise playing the ball.

(iii)

When a team has gained quick possession from a scrummage, ruck, maul or line-out and starts a passing movement, opponents who are retiring must not be allowed to interfere with the movement unless the conditions of Law 25(3) exist. Referees should be strict in applying this.

Continue to Law 26

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