When the ball goes into touch in rugby union, play restarts with a lineout, and where that lineout happens and who throws in depends on how the ball got there. A penalty kicked into touch gives the kicking team the throw-in where the ball went out. A kick in open play from inside a team’s own 22 that goes directly into touch also gains ground to where it went out, but the opponents throw in. A kick from outside the 22 that goes directly into touch on the full brings the lineout back level with where the kick was taken, while a kick that bounces before going out gains ground to where it crossed the touchline. The 50:22 law rewards a team that kicks from its own half and bounces the ball into touch inside the opponent’s 22 with the throw-in. These rules make kicking to touch a major tactical tool.
Rulebook note: Laws referenced here follow World Rugby’s Laws of the Game for rugby union. Kicking and touch laws, including the 50:22, have changed in recent years and can be refined further. Rugby league uses different kicking rules, such as the 40/20, and sevens and domestic competitions may vary. Check the current laws for your competition.
Kicking to touch rules
| Situation | Lineout |
|---|---|
| Penalty kicked to touch | Where the ball went out; kicking team throws in |
| Kick from inside own 22 in open play, direct to touch | Where the ball went out; opponents throw in |
| Kick on the full from outside own 22 | Level with where the kick was taken; opponents throw in |
| Kick that bounces before going into touch | Where the ball went out; opponents throw in |
| 50:22 | Kick from own half bouncing into touch inside the opponent’s 22 gives the kicking team the throw |
| Free kick kicked to touch | Where the ball went out; opponents throw in |
Why kicking to touch matters
Territory is valuable in rugby. Playing in the opponent’s half puts pressure on them, creates scoring opportunities and forces them to take risks to escape. Kicking to touch is one of the most reliable ways to gain territory, especially from penalties, where the kicking team also keeps possession through the lineout throw. Teams under pressure near their own line often kick to touch to relieve pressure, accepting that the opponents will throw in but moving the game farther from their own try line.
Penalty kicks to touch
When a team is awarded a penalty, one option is to kick the ball into touch. If the ball goes out directly, the lineout is where the ball crossed the touchline, and the kicking team throws in. This combination of territory and possession is why teams often kick penalties toward the corner near the opponent’s try line, setting up a lineout and driving maul. The kick must go into touch; if it goes dead or stays in play, the rules for open play apply.
Open play kicks and the 22
In open play, the 22-metre line determines whether a kick directly into touch gains ground. From inside your own 22, a kick directly into touch gains ground to where it went out, though the opponents throw in. From outside the 22, a kick that goes out on the full does not gain ground; the lineout is taken level with where the kick was made. If a player carries the ball back into their own 22 before kicking it out on the full, the laws treat it as if the kick were from outside the 22. A kick that bounces in the field of play before going into touch gains ground wherever it is taken from.
The 50:22 law
The 50:22 law was introduced to encourage more attacking kicks and to create space by making teams keep more players back in defense. If a team kicks the ball from inside its own half and it bounces in the field of play before going into touch inside the opponent’s 22, the kicking team throws in at the resulting lineout. The ball must not be taken back into the kicking team’s own half before the kick. This law rewards accurate, long kicking and forces defending teams to position wingers and fullbacks carefully.
Balancing kicking and possession
Kicking to touch always involves a trade-off. From open play, a kick into touch usually gives the opponents the throw-in, so the kicking team exchanges possession for territory. Teams must decide whether field position is worth more than keeping the ball. Many teams kick to touch when deep in their own half under pressure, when the conditions are poor or when their defense and lineout steal ability are strong. Other teams prefer to kick long and keep the ball in play, hoping to force a poor return or a turnover. Analyzing the opponent’s lineout strength, the wind and the score helps teams make better kicking decisions throughout a match.
Kicking tactics for lineouts
- Kick penalties to the corner near the opponent’s line to set up a lineout maul.
- Use bouncing kicks from outside your 22 to gain ground legally.
- Look for 50:22 opportunities when the opponent’s back field is empty.
- Kick long from inside your 22 to relieve pressure.
- Consider the wind when choosing distance and angle.
- Coordinate chasers for kicks that stay in play.
Lineout basics after the kick
Once the ball goes into touch, the lineout forms at the relevant point. The team throwing in decides the number of players in the lineout, with a minimum of two. The lineout forms between the 5-metre and 15-metre lines, and the throw must be straight down the middle. Players not in the lineout must stay ten meters back. The team that throws in has a big advantage, since it knows where the ball is going, which is why winning the throw through a penalty kick or a 50:22 is so valuable.
Quick throw-ins
In some situations, a team can take a quick throw-in without waiting for a formed lineout. The laws set conditions, such as using the same ball that went into touch, throwing from the correct place and ensuring the ball has not been touched by someone other than the thrower. A quick throw can catch the opposition out of position, but it must be straight and taken correctly. It cannot be taken after a penalty kick to touch in the same way, and the laws should be checked for exact conditions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Kicking out on the full from outside the 22, giving away ground.
- Missing touch from a penalty, which loses the lineout advantage.
- Taking the ball back into the 22 before kicking out.
- Ignoring the wind and misjudging distance.
- Poor chasing of kicks that stay in play.
Frequently asked questions
Who throws in after a penalty kick to touch?
The team that kicked the penalty throws in at the resulting lineout.
What is the 50:22 rule in rugby?
If a team kicks from its own half and the ball bounces into touch inside the opponent’s 22, the kicking team throws in.
Why can’t you kick out on the full from outside your 22?
The laws discourage aimless kicking to touch, so the lineout is brought back level with where the kick was taken.
