In rugby union, serious offenses such as offside, dangerous tackles and breakdown infringements give the other team a penalty, while lesser technical offenses give a free kick. With a penalty, the non-offending team chooses how to use it: kick at goal for three points, kick to touch to gain ground and throw in at the resulting lineout, tap and go for a quick attacking restart, or take a scrum. The choice depends on the score, field position, time remaining and the team’s strengths. The opposition must retreat ten meters from the mark. Persistent or dangerous offenses can also lead to yellow or red cards, and when foul play prevents a probable try, the referee awards a penalty try worth seven points. Discipline, or conceding few penalties, is one of the strongest predictors of success in rugby.
Rulebook note: Laws referenced here follow World Rugby’s Laws of the Game for rugby union. Sanctions, card rules and penalty options are updated from time to time, and some competitions trial variations, such as red card replacement rules. Rugby league, sevens and domestic competitions can differ, so check the current laws for your competition.
Penalty options
| Option | Result | When teams choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Kick at goal | 3 points if successful | Within kicking range, tight games |
| Kick to touch | Gain ground and throw in at the lineout | Attacking position or relieving pressure |
| Tap and go | Quick restart to attack | Defense disorganized or time running out |
| Scrum | Set-piece attack | Dominant scrum or near the try line |
Penalties vs free kicks
Penalties are awarded for more serious offenses, such as offside, foul play and many breakdown infringements. Free kicks are awarded for less serious technical offenses, such as early engagement at the scrum, a crooked feed or certain lineout infringements. The key differences are that a team cannot kick directly at goal from a free kick, and when a free kick is kicked into touch, the opposing team usually throws in at the lineout. With a penalty kicked directly into touch, the team that kicked retains the throw-in, which makes kicking for the corner such a popular option.
Common penalty offenses
- Offside: being in front of the relevant offside line and taking part in play.
- Not releasing the ball: the tackled player holding on after the tackle.
- Not releasing the tackled player: the tackler failing to let go.
- Hands in the ruck: handling the ball after a ruck has formed.
- Entering from the side: joining a ruck or maul illegally.
- High or dangerous tackles: contact above the shoulders or other dangerous play.
- Collapsing scrums or mauls: deliberately bringing them down.
- Not rolling away: the tackler lying on or near the ball and preventing play.
How a penalty is taken
- The referee blows the whistle and signals the penalty with an arm raised at an angle.
- The mark is set where the offense occurred, with some exceptions set out in the laws.
- The offending team retreats at least ten meters toward its own goal line.
- The non-offending team chooses an option, often after the captain speaks to the referee.
- For a kick at goal, the kicker indicates the intention and must take the kick within the time limit.
- For a kick to touch, the kicker punts the ball into touch and the team throws in at the resulting lineout.
- For a tap and go, a player taps the ball with the foot and play restarts immediately.
- For a scrum, the team signals its choice and the scrum is set at the mark.
Choosing the right option
Deciding how to use a penalty is one of rugby’s key tactical decisions. Within range of the posts, a kick at goal offers three nearly guaranteed points, which can be decisive in close matches. Kicking for the corner gives up those points in exchange for a lineout near the try line, where a strong maul or set move could produce a try worth five or seven points. A quick tap can exploit a defense that has not yet retreated. A scrum option may be chosen by teams with a dominant pack, especially near the line. Teams consider the score, the time remaining, the wind, their kicker’s form and their confidence in the lineout and maul.
The quick tap penalty
A quick tap is one of the most exciting options. The player with the ball must tap it with a foot so it visibly leaves the hand, and then play can restart immediately. Because the defending team must retreat ten meters and often has not reorganized yet, a well-timed tap can create a line break or even a try. The risk is that if support players are not ready, the ball carrier may be isolated and the attack stalls. Teams that use quick taps effectively tend to have alert, fit forwards who stay close to the ball and communicate constantly. Near the opponent’s try line, a series of quick taps can wear down a defense that is struggling with discipline.
Advantage and penalties
Referees often play advantage after a penalty offense, allowing play to continue if the non-offending team may gain from it. If the team gains a real advantage, such as a line break or significant territory, the referee calls advantage over and the penalty is not awarded. If no advantage is gained, the referee returns to the original offense and awards the penalty. This is why teams often take risks, such as attempting a drop goal or a cross-field kick, while penalty advantage is being played, knowing they can return to the penalty if it fails.
Cards and penalty tries
Yellow card: A player is sent to the sin bin, usually for ten minutes in rugby union, for repeated infringements, cynical offenses or some foul play. The team plays a player short during that time.
Red card: A player is sent off for the most serious offenses, such as dangerous foul play. In most competitions they cannot be replaced, although some competitions use variations allowing a replacement after a set period.
Penalty try: Awarded when foul play by the defending team prevents a probable try. It is worth seven points, and no conversion is needed. The offending player is typically shown a yellow card as well.
Discipline and winning
Penalties are costly. Each one can give away points, territory or possession, and repeated penalties lead to cards. Teams that concede fewer penalties generally put less pressure on themselves and more on their opponents. Coaches track penalty counts closely and focus training on breakdown technique, offside discipline and safe tackling to reduce them. Players can help by listening to referee warnings, retreating quickly and avoiding frustrated, reckless actions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not retreating ten meters after a penalty, which can lead to further sanctions.
- Kicking a penalty dead instead of into touch.
- Taking a quick tap when support players are not ready.
- Ignoring referee warnings at the breakdown.
- Repeated offenses that lead to cards.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is a penalty kick worth in rugby union?
A successful penalty goal is worth three points.
What is the difference between a penalty and a free kick?
A penalty is for more serious offenses and allows a kick at goal; a free kick is for lesser offenses and does not.
What is a penalty try?
A try worth seven points, awarded when foul play prevents a probable try.
