Line-out (rugby Union)

Line-out (rugby Union)

A line-out is the means by which, in rugby union, the ball is put back into play after it has gone into touch. It is the equivalent of the throw-in in association football. Rugby league abolished line-outs in 1897. Instead, a scrum takes place 20 metres infield from the spot where the ball went out and where a line-out would take place in rugby union.

When a player puts the ball into touch (that is, out of the field of play), the opposing team is awarded a line-out. An exception is that if the ball is kicked into touch from a penalty kick, the team that was awarded the penalty throws in to the resulting line-out.

Where the line-out is taken depends on the manner in which the ball was played into touch. If it is kicked directly into touch, without first landing in the field-of-play or touching the referee or an opponent who is not in touch, the line-out is formed in line with the spot from where it was kicked, with two exceptions: if the kick was a penalty kick or if the kicker had at least one foot on or behind his own 22-metre line, the line-out is formed at the spot where the ball crossed the touch-line. In all other cases, the line-out is formed at the spot where the ball crossed the touch-line, except that if this spot is within 5 metres of the goal-line, the line-out is formed on the 5-metre line. A line-out is also awarded if a player in possession of the ball crosses or touches the touchline whilst still in possession of the ball.