Glossary of Rugby Union Terms - K

K

Kick-off

A coin is tossed and the winning captain either chooses which direction his team shall play, or elects to take the kick that starts the game. Both halves of the match are started with a drop kick from the centre-point of the halfway line. The kick must cross the opposition's 10-metre line, unless played by a member of the receiving team. The opposition are not allowed to encroach beyond the 10-metre line until the ball is kicked.

If the ball does not travel 10 metres, goes straight into touch, or goes over the dead ball line at the end of the pitch, the opposing team may accept the kick, have the ball kicked off again, or have a scrum at the centre.

After a score, the game is restarted from the same place under the same restrictions, with the conceding team drop-kicking the ball to the scoring team. However, in sevens, the scoring team kicks off.

Kick tennis

Style of play characterised by both teams repeatedly kicking from hand to the opposition, rather than running at the opposition and risking a turnover. So-called because the ball moves back and forth like a tennis match. Considered boring to watch. Also referred to as aerial ping-pong.

Knock-on

It is also called knock-forward. A knock-on is when a player loses possession of the ball which then goes forward off the hands or arms of a player and hits either the ground or another player. It results in a scrum with the put-in to the opposition.