Rugby
Forward passes, knock-forwards and advantage
How Rugby Union treats a ball that goes forward from the hand or arm, when a scrum or penalty follows, and why the referee may play advantage.
A forward pass is not legal
A throw forward is when a player throws or passes the ball forward. The normal sanction is a scrum. If a player intentionally throws or passes the ball forward, the sanction is a penalty.
What happens after a knock forward
An ordinary knock forward is normally sanctioned with a scrum. If a player intentionally knocks the ball forward with a hand or arm, the sanction is a penalty. A failed catch is not automatically intentional when there was a reasonable expectation of gaining possession.
Important no-sanction exceptions
Play continues after a charge down, when the ball goes forward immediately after a player blocks an opponent’s kick. There is also no knock-forward sanction when a player rips or knocks the ball from an opponent and it goes forward from the opponent’s hand or arm.
Advantage can keep the game moving
After an infringement by one team, the referee may allow play to continue if the non-offending team can gain advantage. Advantage may be tactical, territorial or both, but it must be clear and real. If it does not materialise, the referee stops play and returns to the original sanction.