Back to Refereeing HomepageLAW 15. DROP-OUT
A drop-out is a drop kick awarded to the defending team.
(1) The drop kick must be taken from anywhere on or behind the twenty-two metres line; otherwise the ball shall be dropped out again.
(2) The drop kick must be taken without delay.
Penalty: Free kick on the 22 metre line
(3) The ball must cross the 22 metre line; otherwise the opposing team may have it dropped out again, or have a scrummage formed at the centre of the 22 metre line. If it crosses the 22 metre line and is then blown back, play shall continue.
Note:- (i) The advantage Law applies where the drop kick does not reach the twenty-two metres line.
(4) The kicker's team must be behind the ball when kicked. However, retiring players of the kicker's team who are in front of the ball will not be penalised if their failure to retire is due to the rapidity with which the kick has been taken but they must not stop retiring and must not enter the game until they have been made on-side by an action of their own team as required by Law 25 (1).
(5) The kicker's team must be behind the ball when kicked. However, retiring players of the kicker's team who are in front of the ball will not be penalised if their failure to retire is due to the rapidity with which the kick has been taken but they must not stop retiring and must not enter the game until they have been made on-side by an action of their own team as required by Law 25 (1).
Penalty: Scrummage at the centre of the twenty-two metres line and the opposing team shall put in the ball.
(5) The opposing team must not charge over the twenty-two metres line; otherwise the ball shall be dropped out again.
(6) When the ball has been made dead by the attacking team by a kick, other than an unsuccessful kick at goal, which goes into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, the defending team will have the option of a drop-out or of a scrummage. If a scrummage is chosen, the scrummage will be ordered at the place from where the ball was kicked but not less than five metres from the touch-line.
(7) When the ball has been made dead by a team from a kick, other than an unsuccessful penalty kick at goal or a dropped goal attempt, which goes into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead-ball line, the defending team will have the option of a drop-out or of a scrummage. If a scrummage is chosen, the scrummage will be ordered at the place from where the ball was kicked but not less than five metres from the touch-line.
Note:- (ii) If a player of the opposing team remains beyond or crosses the twenty-two metres line for the purpose of delaying or interfering with the player who is about to drop-out, a penalty under Law 26(3)(i) should be awarded.
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