LAW 28. FREE KICK

A free kick is a kick awarded for a fair-catch or to the non-offending team as stated in the Laws. A goal may not be scored from a free kick.

The team awarded a free kick may not score a dropped goal until after the ball next becomes dead or the ball has been played or touched by an opposing player. This restriction applies similarly following a scrummage taken in lieu of a free kick.

A free kick awarded for an infringement may be taken by any player of the non-offending team.

A free kick may be taken by any form of kick, unless kicking for touch, provided that the kicker, if holding the ball must propel it out of his hands or, if the ball is on the ground he must propel it a visible distance from the mark. He may keep his hand on the ball while kicking it.

(1)
The team awarded a free kick has the option of taking a scrummage at the mark and shall put in the ball.

(2)
When a kick is taken, it must be taken without undue delay.

(3)
The kick must be taken at or behind the mark on a line through the mark and the kicker may place the ball for a place kick.

(4)
If the place prescribed by the Laws for the award of a free kick is within five meters of the opponents' goal line, the mark for the free kick, or the scrummage taken instead of it, shall be five meters from the goal line on a line through that place.

(5)
The kicker may kick the ball in any direction and he may play the ball again without restriction. A player kicking for touch may only punt or drop kick the ball.

(6)
The kicker's team, except the placer for a place kick, must be behind the ball until it has been kicked. Retiring players of the kicker's team who are in front of the ball will not be penalized if their failure to retire is due to the rapidity with which the kick has been taken but they must not stop retiring and enter the game until:
  • the offside player has retired behind the player who kicked the ball, or
  • one of his team carrying the ball has run in front of him, or
  • one of his team has run in front of him after coming from behind the place where the ball was kicked.

(7)
The opposing team must not willfully resort to any action which may delay the taking of a free kick. This includes actions such as willfully carrying, throwing, or kicking the ball away out of reach of the kicker.

(8)
The opposing team must retire without delay to or behind a line parallel to the goal lines and ten meters from the mark or to their own goal line if nearer to the mark, or five meters from their opponents' goal line if the mark is in In-goal. Having so retired, players of the opposing team may charge with a view to preventing the kick, as soon as the kicker begins his run or offers to kick.

Retiring players will not be penalized if their failure to retire ten meters is due to the rapidity with which the kick has been taken, but they may not stop retiring and enter the game until an opponent carrying the ball has run five meters.

(9)
If, having charged fairly, players of the opposing team prevent the kick being taken, it is void.

(10)
Neither the kicker nor the placer shall willfully do anything which may lead the opposing team to charge prematurely. If either does so, the charge shall not be disallowed.
Penalty:-
  • For an infringement by the kicker's team or for a void kick -- a scrummage at the mark and the opposing team shall put in the ball.

    If the mark is In-goal, the scrummage shall be awarded five meters from the goal line on a line through the mark.

  • For an infringement by the opposing team -- a free kick ten meters in front of the mark or five meters from the goal-line whichever is nearer on a line through the mark. Any player of the non-offending team may take the kick.

 Notes:-
(i)
The kick must be taken with the ball which was in play unless the referee decides that the ball is defective.

(ii)
A player taking a free kick may not bounce the ball on his knee. The kick must be made with the foot or lower leg. If a player fails to kick the ball, a scrummage should be ordered.

(iii)
The kicker may not feint to kick and then draw back. Once he makes any movement to kick, the opponents may charge.

(iv)
In addition to the general provision regarding waste of time, the kicker is bound to kick without delay, under penalty.

(v)
The referee shall see that the opposing players do not gradually creep up and that they have both feet behind the ten meters line, otherwise he shall award a penalty in accordance with the penalty provisions of Law 28.

(vi)
If the kick is taken from behind the goal line, the ball is in play if an opponent legitimately plays it before it crosses the goal line, and a try may be scored.

(vii)
When a free kick is taken in In-goal, a penalty try shall be awarded if a defending player, by foul play, prevents an opponent from first grounding the ball.

(viii)
If from a free kick taken in In-goal, the ball travels into touch-in-goal or over the dead-ball line, a five meters scrummage should be ordered, the attacking team to put in the ball.

(ix)
If opponents lawfully charge down a free kick in the playing area, play should be allowed to continue.

(x)
If a free kick has been awarded in the field-of-play and the player retires to his In-goal to take the kick and his opponents having lawfully charged prevent the kick from being taken, a scrummage shall be awarded five meters from the goal line on a line through the mark.

(xi)
If a free kick has been awarded in In-goal and the opponents having lawfully charged prevent the kick from being taken, a scrummage shall be awarded five meters from the goal line on a line through the mark.

(xii)
If the referee is satisfied that the reason for a free kick under the penalty provisions has been contrived, he should allow play to continue.
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