In rugby union, a player is offside in open play when they are in front of a teammate who is carrying the ball or who last played it. Being in an offside position is not itself an offense; a player is penalized only if they take part in play while offside, for example by playing the ball, tackling, obstructing an opponent or failing to retreat when required. At rucks, mauls, scrums and lineouts, the laws create specific offside lines that players must stay behind until the phase ends, typically at the hindmost foot of their team at a ruck or maul, five meters behind the hindmost foot at a scrum for backs, and ten meters back from the line of touch at a lineout for players not taking part. Kicks have their own rules, often called the ten-metre law. Offside offenses usually result in a penalty kick to the other team.
Rulebook note: Laws referenced here follow World Rugby’s Laws of the Game for rugby union. Offside is one of the most detailed areas of the laws, and this guide simplifies it. Rugby league uses different offside rules, and sevens and domestic competitions may vary. Check the current laws for your competition.
Offside lines at a glance
| Phase | Offside line |
|---|---|
| Open play | The ball, or the teammate who last played it |
| Ruck and maul | The hindmost foot of your team in the ruck or maul |
| Scrum (backs) | 5 m behind the hindmost foot of their team’s scrum |
| Scrum (scrum halves) | Specific positions relative to the ball and scrum |
| Lineout | Players not in the lineout stay 10 m back from the line of touch, or at the goal line if closer, until it ends |
| Kicks | Players in front of the kicker must not approach within 10 m of the catcher until put onside |
Offside in open play
In general play, the offside line is the ball itself. If your teammate is carrying the ball, you are offside if you are in front of them. If a teammate kicks the ball, anyone in front of the kicker is offside. An offside player must not take part in play, which includes catching the ball, tackling, or deliberately getting in the way of opponents. If an offside player accidentally gets in the way, such as when the ball carrier runs into a teammate in front of them, the laws treat it as accidental offside, which usually results in a scrum rather than a penalty if the offending team gains an advantage.
How players are put onside
An offside player can be put back onside in several ways. In general play, they are put onside when a teammate carrying the ball runs past them, when a teammate who was level with or behind the kicker runs past them, or when they retire behind the teammate who last played the ball. Opponents can also put them onside in certain situations, such as when an opponent runs five meters with the ball or passes or kicks it. The exact conditions depend on the situation, so it is worth studying the offside law in detail for your level.
The ten-metre law on kicks
When a teammate kicks the ball forward, players in front of the kicker who are within ten meters of where the opponent is waiting to catch the ball, or where the ball will land, must immediately move back out of that zone. They cannot approach the catcher or take part in play until they are put onside, typically by the kicker or a player who was behind the kicker running past them. This law prevents chasers who were ahead of the kicker from immediately tackling the catcher and protects the receiving player.
Offside at rucks and mauls
Once a ruck or maul forms, each team’s offside line runs through the hindmost foot of their players in it, parallel to the goal line. Players not in the ruck or maul must either join it legally, from behind that foot, or stay behind the offside line. Players who are in front of their offside line must retreat without delay. Defenders who creep forward before the ball is out, or who loiter on the wrong side of the ruck, are among the most common offside offenders. The offside lines disappear once the ball leaves the ruck or maul.
Offside at scrums
At a scrum, the backs of each team must stay at least five meters behind the hindmost foot of their team’s scrum until the ball is out. The scrum halves have their own rules: the scrum half of the team that wins the ball must keep both feet behind the ball, while the opposing scrum half has set options, such as staying close to the side of the scrum behind the ball or retreating. Loose forwards must stay bound to the scrum until the ball is out.
Offside at lineouts
At a lineout, players taking part must stay in their lines, and players not taking part, typically the backs, must stay ten meters behind the line of touch, or at their own goal line if that is closer, until the lineout ends. The lineout ends when the ball leaves it, for example through a pass or kick, or when a ruck or maul forms and moves off the line of touch. Players who move up too early give away a penalty.
Why the offside law matters
Offside is central to how rugby is played. Because the ball can only be passed backward, the game depends on attackers running forward from behind the ball and defenders being held back far enough to give the attack space. Offside lines at rucks, scrums and lineouts create that space, allowing teams to launch attacks. When defenders cheat the offside line, they reduce the attacking team’s time and room, which is why referees watch it closely and why persistent offside can lead to yellow cards for repeated infringements. For defenders, the challenge is to move up as quickly as possible the instant the ball is out, a skill known as line speed, without leaving early.
How to stay onside
- Know the offside line for each phase of play.
- Retreat quickly when you find yourself in front of the ball.
- Watch the hindmost foot at rucks and mauls.
- Listen to the referee, who often warns players with calls such as hands off or back.
- Communicate with teammates about when the ball is out.
- Practice defensive line speed that starts only when the ball is out.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Loitering on the wrong side of a ruck.
- Moving up early at scrums or lineouts.
- Chasing a kick from in front of the kicker.
- Tackling while offside after a turnover.
- Ignoring referee warnings.
Frequently asked questions
Can you be offside in rugby without being penalized?
Yes. Being offside is only an offense if you take part in play or fail to retire when required.
What is the penalty for offside in rugby union?
Usually a penalty kick to the opposing team, though accidental offside often results in a scrum.
What is the ten-metre law?
It requires players in front of the kicker to stay at least ten meters from the catcher until put onside.
