Non Compliance with Kick-off and Restart Kicks – Reviewing IRB Law 13

Referees & Team Coaches, it has come to the attention of RATO that lately there have been a few issues of non compliance in regards to Kick-off and Restart Kicks. We’d like to review this law to ensure that this trend doesn’t continue.

Unfortunately it appears that restarts are much overlooked by teams and referees and THEIR coaches. The restart at all levels has become increasingly important especially in terms of momentum shifts. As a referee it is devastating to make a mistake on a restart.

Also, RATO would encourage refs to treat all teams of all levels with respect. Treating a team differently because it is Boys HS or Girls Collegiate is unacceptable, all teams should be held to the same standard. Ref these laws straight up and your credibility and that of your fellow refs will be enhanced.

Review of Law 13

13.1 Where and how the kick-off is taken
(a) A team kicks off with a drop kick which must be taken at or behind the centre of the half way line.
(b)If the ball is kicked off by the wrong type of kick, or from the incorrect place, the opposing team has two choices:

  • To have the ball kicked off again, or
  • To have a scrum at the centre of the half way line and they throw in the ball.

13.5 Kick-off of 10 metres
If the ball reaches the opponents’ 10-metre line or reaches the 10-metre line and is blown back, play continues.

13.6 Kick-off of under 10 metres but played by an opponent
If the ball does not reach the opponent’s 10-metre line but is first played by an opponent, play continues.

13.7 Kick-off of under 10 metres and not played by an opponent
If the ball does not reach the opponent’s 10-metre line the opposing team has two choices:

  • To have the ball kicked off again, or
  • To have a scrum at the centre of the half-way line and they throw in the ball.

13.8 Ball goes directly into touch
The ball must land in the field of play. If it is kicked directly into touch the opposing team has three choices:

  • To have the ball kicked off again, or
  • To have a scrum at the centre and they have the throw-in, or
  • To accept the kick.

If they accept the kick, the lineout is on the half way line. If the ball is blown behind the half way line and goes directly into touch, the lineout is at the place where it went into touch.

13.9 Ball goes into the in-goal
(a) If the ball is kicked into the in-goal without having touched or been touched by a player, the opposing team has three choices:

  • To ground the ball, or
  • To make it dead, or
  • To play on.

(b) If the opposing team grounds the ball, or if they make it dead, or if the ball becomes dead by going into touch-in-goal, or on or over the dead ball line, they have two choices:

  • To have a scrum formed at the centre, and they throw in the ball, or
  • To have the other team kick off again.

(c) If they opt to ground the ball or make it dead, they must do so without delay. Any other action with the ball by a defending player means the player has elected to play on.

13.10 Drop-out
DEFINITIONS
A drop-out is a drop kick taken by the defending team. The drop-out may be taken anywhere on or behind the 22-metre line.
A drop-out is used to restart play after an attacking player has put or taken the ball into the in-goal, without infringement, and a defending player has made the ball dead there or it has gone into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line.

13.12 Drop-out incorrectly taken
If the ball is kicked with the wrong type of kick, or from the wrong place, the opposing team has two choices:

  • To have another drop-out, or
  • To have a scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line and they throw in the ball.

13.13 Drop-out must cross the line
(a) If the ball does not cross the 22-metre line, the opposing team has two choices:

  • To have another drop-out, or
  • To have a scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line. They throw in the ball.

(b) If the ball crosses the 22-metre line but is blown back, play continues.
(c) If the ball does not cross the 22-metre line, advantage may apply. An opponent who plays the ball can score a try.

13.14 Drop-out goes directly into touch
The ball must land in the field of play. If it is kicked directly into touch, the opposing team has three choices:

  • To have another drop-out, or
  • To have a scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line, and they throw in the ball, or
  • To accept the kick. If they accept the kick, the throw-in is on the 22-metre line.

13.16 The kicker’s team
(a) All the kicker’s team must be behind the ball when it is kicked. If not, a scrum is formed at the centre of the 22-metre line. The opposing team throws in the ball.
(b) However, if the kick is taken so quickly that players of the kicker’s team who are retiring are still in front of the ball, they will not be penalised. They must not stop retiring until they have been made onside by an action of a team-mate. They must not take part in the game until they have been made onside in this way.

Sanction: Scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line. The opposing team throws in the ball.