Offside (rugby) facts for kids

In rugby football, the offside rule is super important. It stops players from getting an unfair advantage by being too far forward on the field. This rule helps keep the game fair and exciting for everyone. The exact rules are a bit different in rugby union and rugby league.

Rugby Union Offside Rules

In rugby union, the offside rules can seem tricky. But the main idea is simple: a player cannot gain an advantage if they are ahead of the ball.

When You Are Offside

• In open play: If a teammate is carrying the ball, you must stay behind them. If you are in front of the ball carrier, you are offside.
• At a ruck, maul, scrum, or line-out: During these parts of the game, you must stay behind the last player from your team in that group. If you are ahead of them, you are offside.
• During a scrum: The scrum-half must stay behind the ball. Other players not in the scrum must be 5 metres (about 16 feet) behind the last player in the scrum.

What Offside Players Cannot Do

If you are in an offside position, you cannot join the game or get involved in any way. This means you:

• Cannot receive a pass. (Remember, forward passes are always against the rules anyway!)
• Cannot join a ruck, maul, or scrum.
• Cannot play the ball.
• Cannot move towards the ball.
• Cannot move towards, tackle, or block an opponent who has the ball. You also cannot block an opponent waiting for the ball.
• Must move at least 10 metres (about 33 feet) away from any opponent waiting for the ball.

Getting Back Onside

A player who is offside stays offside until one of these things happens:

• A teammate who was onside runs ahead of you. This could be the player carrying the ball, the kicker, or another teammate.
• You run back behind the ball carrier or kicker.
• An opponent, who is at least 10 metres away from you, kicks, passes, or intentionally touches the ball. Or, an opponent runs 5 metres (about 16 feet) with the ball.

Offside at a Line-out

At a line-out, only certain players can be close to the line. These are the players in the line (usually 7 per team), a receiver (often the scrum-half), and the player throwing the ball (usually the hooker). They must stay within 5 metres (about 16 feet) of the line. The defending hooker must be at least 2 metres (about 6.5 feet) from the line. All other players must be more than 10 metres (about 33 feet) away from the line. If they are closer, their team will get a penalty. They can only move closer to catch a very long throw, or after the line-out has finished.

Penalties for Offside

If a player breaks an offside rule, the other team usually gets a penalty. Sometimes, the other team can choose a scrum instead. If the offside was accidental, like accidentally receiving a forward pass, a scrum is given where the mistake happened.

Rugby League Offside Rules

The offside rules in rugby league are a bit simpler than in rugby union.

Defending Player Offside

A defending player is offside if they are less than 10 metres (about 33 feet) away from where the ball is played (called the "play-the-ball"). If the play-the-ball is very close to their own try-line, they must be closer to their try-line than the play-the-ball. Also, in open play, a defending player is offside if they are closer to the opposition's try-line than the ball. At a scrum, a defending player is offside if they are less than 5 metres (about 16 feet) away from the base of the scrum.

Attacking Player Offside

An attacking player is offside if they are in front of the ball. If a player kicks the ball, and you are in front of it, you can become "onside" again if the kicker runs past you before an opponent catches the ball. If not, you must stand 10 metres (about 33 feet) away from the player who catches the ball, or your team will get a penalty.

See also

• Penalty (rugby)