Rugby
Touch, lineouts and mauls
How Rugby Union restarts after the ball goes into touch, how a lineout works, and how a maul forms and stays legal.
Touch and the quick throw
The ball is in touch when the ball, a ball-carrier, or a player holding the ball touches the touchline or ground beyond it. Before a lineout is formed, a quick throw may be taken with the same ball if the quick-throw conditions are still satisfied; it must travel at least five metres before being played.
Forming and throwing to a lineout
A lineout forms on the mark of touch, not within five metres of a try line. Each team forms a line between the five-metre and 15-metre lines, and at least two players from each team are required. The team throwing in sets the maximum number of players in the lineout.
Competing safely in the air
Players may jump for the throw and team-mates may lift or support a jumper, but the supported player must be brought safely back to ground. The throw must reach the five-metre line, and players must respect the lineout positions and offside requirements until the lineout is over.
When a maul forms
A maul consists of a ball-carrier and at least one player from each team, all bound together and on their feet. Players join from an onside position and bind onto the hindmost player; offside lines run through each team’s hindmost foot. A maul must not be intentionally collapsed or opponents dragged out of it.