Line-out
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A line-out is rugby union's equivalent of the throw-in in football. When a player puts the ball into touch (i.e. out of the field of play) it is the opposing team's line-out. An exception is that if the ball is kicked into touch from a penalty kick, the team that was awarded the penalty gets the line-out. Where the line out is taken depends on different factors. If the ball bounces into touch, the line out is taken from where the ball left the field. If the ball leaves the field on the full, the line out is taken from in line with where the ball was kicked (unless the kick was from inside the 22 or a punt from a penalty). Line-outs that would be taken within 5 metres of either try line are taken from 5 metres out.
Rugby league does not have line-outs. Instead, a scrum is put down 10m infield, from the point where a line-out would have taken place in union.
Normally the line-out consist of seven forwards from each side, with the remaining forward, normally the hooker throwing the ball in. However, the team who are throwing in the ball decides the maximum number from each team which will be in the line-out, there must be a minimum of two players from each side, and a maximum of fourteen (there are fifteen players per team and one must throw the ball in). The opposition must not have more players in the line-out than the team throwing in, but may have fewer. The line-out players from each team line up in two separate rows across the pitch between five and fifteen meters in from where the ball went to touch. There must a one meter gap between the two rows of opposing forwards. The centre of this gap follows the "line of touch" which is an imaginary line extending the full width of the pitch, at right angles to the touch-line at the point where the line-out is formed. The hooker must then throw the ball straight, directly in-between the teams as high and as far as he likes. Members of the line-out are allowed to jump up and catch the ball or support their team-mates who have jumped to do so. Technically, players may not lift team-mates, but this regulation is honoured more in the breach than the observance.
A player in the line-out will either attempt to catch the ball or knock it down to a player of his own side, normally the scrum half, who is standing on his own side of the line-out in a position just near the line of players ready to receive such a ball. If the line-out player catches the ball he may hang onto it and allow a maul to form, or pass it to the scrum half. All of the other players, those not in the line-out and not acting as the scrum half must stay ten meters back from the line-out until it is over. The line-out is over when either the ball is tapped or passed out of the line, or a player carrying it moves out of the line-out, or any maul which forms has moved completely over the line of touch.
A line-out code will usually be shouted by the throwing team prior to the throw to ensure that all players on that team know what it is intended to do, who the ball will be thrown to, what that player will do with it, and what follow up ploy they intend to try.
Players must not interfere with the opposition while the line-out takes place, they may not tackle a player who is in the air, nor may they close the gap nor enter the gap unless in the act of jumping for the ball. The ball must travel a minimum of five meters before being played. The ball may also be thrown completely over the heads of all players in the line-out and over the fifteen meter limit. A back may run up from his position ten meters behind the line-out to take a ball which is expected to be thrown beyond the fifteen meter limit. However if a player does so and the ball doesn't go over the fifteen meters then that player is penalised. The throw must be continuous and no feigning or dummy throwing action is permitted.
The non-throwing side may jump to compete for the ball, or may elect not to do so but to drive onto the catcher as soon as he returns to the ground, to drive play back. This tactic is commonly used when the attackers have a line-out close to the defenders goal-line.
The Stellenbosch Laws, a proposed set of changes to the laws of rugby union recently trialled in South Africa and currently being trialled in Scotland and Australia, will if adopted lead to important changes in the line-out:
- Neither team will dictate the number of players in the line-out. Each team can place as many players between the 5- and 15-metre lines as it wishes.
- The opposing hooker need not stand within 5 metres of the touch line, but must otherwise conform to the laws where he stands.
