Rugby
Rugby kick-offs, restarts, drop-outs and marks
How Rugby Union restarts from the half-way line and in-goal situations, and when a player can stop play by calling a mark.
Kick-offs and restarts after a score
Kick-offs and post-score restarts are drop kicks taken on or behind the centre of the half-way line. Team-mates of the kicker must be behind the ball, opponents must be on or behind the 10-metre line, and the ball must reach that line unless an opponent plays it first.
22-metre and try-line drop-outs
World Rugby uses a 22-metre drop-out for specified dead-ball outcomes after certain kicks, and a try-line drop-out for specified attacking in-goal outcomes. The drop-out must be taken without delay, cross its sanction line and not go directly into touch.
Calling a mark
A player can claim a mark by directly catching an opponent’s kick with at least one foot on or behind their own 22-metre line and calling “mark” at the same time. A correct mark stops play and gives that team a free-kick.
Important limits and variations
A mark cannot be claimed from a kick-off or a restart after a score. Rugby Sevens and other variations have their own restart changes, so this guide describes the standard 15-a-side Rugby Union laws used by the Rugby hub.