The
Layman’s Guide to the Laws of the Game
Offside
means a player is in front of a team mate who is carrying the ball or in front
of a team mate who last played the ball. An offside
player in open play is only liable to penalty if he interferes with play,
moves forward towards the ball or is in front of an imaginary
line across the field 10 metres ahead of an opponent waiting to play the
ball or from where the ball may alight. If any of these actions is deemed
accidental, a scrum is awarded to the opposition - but if deliberate, (including
loitering with intent!) a penalty kick is the sanction.
At
scrums, the offside line is the
hindmost feet on each side. Those in the scrum must stay bound with full arms or
retire behind that line. The backs must always stay behind that line. The scrum
halves are exempt but must stay behind the ball (on the same side)with both feet
while it’s in the scrum.
There
is no offside line at the tackle,
(although there are special rules that require players to approach from behind
their own side) until ruck or maul forms! At rucks
and mauls the offside line is through the back feet on each side. Joiners
must come from behind it: leavers must retire behind it.
At
a lineout, the offside line is at 90O to the touchline
between the two lines of players. Participants must remain half a metre either
side of it unless genuinely jumping for the ball, and between 5 & 15 metres
in from touch: the backs must stay 10 metres back from it (or on the goal line
if nearer). Once the thrown in ball is caught, touches a player or the ground,
the offside line is then through the ball itself; or the back feet of any ruck
or maul that develops.
