Laws of the Rugby Football Union (1888)

by Rugby Football Union

For works with similar titles, see Laws of the Rugby Football Union.

1. A Drop Kick is made by letting the ball fall from the hands, and kicking it the very instant it rises.

2. A Place kick is made by kicking the ball after it has been placed in a nick made in the ground for the purpose of keeping it at rest.

3. A Punt is made by letting the ball fall from the hands and kicking it before it touches the ground.

4. Each Goal shall be composed of two upright posts, exceeding 11 feet in height from the ground, and placed 18 feet 6 inches apart, with a cross-bar 10 feet from the ground.

5. A Goal can only be obtained by kicking the ball from the field of play direct (i.e. without touching the ground, or the dress or person of any player of either side) over the cross-bar of the opponents' goal, whether it touch such cross-bar or the posts or not; but if the ball goes directly over either of the goal-posts, it is not a goal. A goal may be obtained by any kind of kick except a punt.

6. A Try is gained when a player touches the ball down in his opponents' goal.

7. A match shall be decided by a majority of points; a goal shall equal three points, and a try one point. If the number of points be equal, or no goal be kicked or try obtained, the match shall be drawn. When a goal is kicked from a try the goal only is scored.

8. The ball is dead when it rests absolutely motionless on the ground.

9. A Touch-down is when a Player, putting his hand upon the ball on the ground in goal, stops it so that it remains dead, or fairly so.

10. A Tackle is when the holder of the ball is held by one or more players of the opposite side.

11. A Scrummage takes place when the holder of the ball, being in the field of play, puts it down on the ground in front of him, and all who have closed round on their respective sides endeavour to push their opponents back, and by kicking the ball to drive it in the direction of the opposite goal-line. A scrummage ceases to be a scrummage when the ball is in touch or goal.

12. A player may take up the ball whenever it is rolling or bounding, except in a scrummage.

13. It is not lawful to take up the ball when dead (except in order to bring it out after it has been touched-down in touch or in goal) for any purpose whatever; whenever the ball shall have been so unlawfully taken up it shall at once be brought back to where it was so taken up, and there put down.

14. In a scrummage, it is not lawful to touch the ball with the hand under any circumstance whatever. If, in the opinion of the Referee, any player shall, in a scrummage, intentionally either handle the ball or fall down, he shall, on a claim from the opposite side, award a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44.

15. It is lawful for any player who has the ball to run with it, and if he does so it is called a run. If a player runs with the ball until he gets behind his opponents' goal-line and there touches it down, it is called a run-in.

16. It is lawful to run-in anywhere across the goal-line.

17. The goal-line is in goal, and the touch-line is in touch.

18. In the event of any player holding or running with the ball being tackled, and the ball fairly held, he must at once cry down, and immediately put it down. If, in the opinion of the Referee, he has not immediately put the ball down, and if being on the ground has not immediately got up, he shall, on a claim from the opposite side, award a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44.

19. A Maul in Goal is when the ball is held inside the goal-line and one of the opposing side endeavours to touch it down. Those players only who are touching the ball with the hand when the maul begins, and then for so long only as they retain their touch, may continue in the maul. The ball shall be touched-down, where the maul is concluded, and shall belong to the players of the side who first had possession of it before the maul began, unless the opposite side have gained entire possession of it, or unless it has escaped from the hold of all parties engaged, in which latter event it shall belong to the defending side.

20. Touch in Goal. (See Plan.) Immediately the ball, whether in the hands of a player or not, goes into touch in goal, it is at once dead and out of the game, and must be brought out as provided by Laws 37 and 38.

21. Every player is on-side, but is put off-side if he enters a scrummage from his opponents' side, or being in a scrummage gets in front of the ball, or when the ball has been kicked, touched, or is being run with by any of his own side behind him (i.e. between himself and his own goal-line). No player can be off-side in his own goal.

Plan of the Field.
AA. AA. Goal Lines.	PP. PP. Goal Posts.
TT. TT. Touch Lines.	QQ.QQ. Touch In Goal.
The Touch Lines and Goal Lines should be cut out of the turf.
The field of play must not exceed 110 yards in length, nor 75 yards in breadth, and should be as near those dimensions as practicable.

22. A player being off-side is put on-side when the ball has been run five yards with, or kicked by, or has touched the dress or person of, any player of the opposite side, or when one of his own side has run in front of him either with the ball or having kicked it when behind him.

23. Every player when off-side is out of the game, and shall not touch the ball in any case whatever, or in any way interrupt or obstruct any player until he is again on side. In case any player wilfully touches the ball when he is off-side, the opposite side may claim either (1) a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44 where such off-side play occurred; or (2) a scrummage at the spot where the ball was last played before the offence occurred.

When a player has the ball, none of his opponents who are off-side may run, or attempt to tackle, or otherwise interrupt such player, until he has run five yards or taken his kick. But if any player when off-side tackles, or in any way interferes with an opponent who has the ball before such opponent has run five yards or taken his kick, the opposite side may claim either (1) a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44; or (2) a scrummage at the spot where the ball was last played before the offence occurred.

24. Throwing Back. It is lawful for any player who has the ball to throw it back towards his own goal, or to pass it back to any player of his own side, who is at the time behind him, in accordance with the rules of on-side.

25. Knocking on, i.e. hitting the ball with the hand, and Throwing forward, i.e. throwing the ball, in the direction of the opponents' goal-line are not lawful. If the ball be either knocked on or thrown forward, the opposite side may (unless a fair catch has been made as provided by the next rule) require to have it brought back to the spot where it was so knocked or thrown on and there put down.

Unless it be knocked on from a throw out of touch, when vide Law 30.

26. A Fair Catch is a catch made direct from a kick or a throw forward, or a knock on by one of the opposite side, provided the catcher makes a mark with his heel at the spot where he has made the catch, and no other of his own side touch the ball.

A player who has on a claim been awarded a fair catch, must thereupon himself either take a drop-kick or punt, or place the ball for a place-kick; such kick in any case to be made in the direction of the opponent's goal-line. If the player retires behind his own goal-line for the purpose of taking such kick, the ball must be kicked across such goal-line in the direction of the opponent's goal-line.

After a fair catch has been made, the opposite side may come up to the catcher's mark, and the catcher's side retiring, the ball shall be kicked from such mark, or from a spot any distance behind it, in a straight line, parallel with the touch-lines.

27. Touch. (See Plan.) If the ball goes into touch, a player on the side other than that whose player last touched it in the field of play must bring it to the spot where it crossed the touch-line; or if a player when running with the ball cross or put any part of either foot across the touch-line, he must return with the ball to the spot where the line was so crossed, and thence return it into the field of play in one of the modes provided by the following Law.

28. He must then himself, or by one of his own side, either (1) bound the ball in the field of play, and then run with it, kick it, or throw it back to his own side; or (2) throw it out at right angles to the touch-line; or (3) walk out with it at right angles to the touch-line, any distance not less than five or more than fifteen yards, and there put it down, first declaring how far he intends to walk out.

29. If two or more players holding the ball are pushed into touch, the ball shall belong in touch to the player who first had hold of it in the field of play, and has not released his hold of it.

30. If the ball be not thrown out straight, the opposite side may at once claim to bring it out themselves, as in Law 28, sec. 3.

If on a throw-out from touch the ball shall be knocked on, the opposite side may claim either (1) a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44 at the spot where the knock on occurred, such free-kick not to count a goal; or (2) a scrummage at the spot where the knock on occurred.

31. A catch made when the ball is thrown out of touch is not a fair catch.

32. Kick-off is a place-kick from the centre of the field of play, and cannot count as a goal. The opposite side must stand at least ten yards in front of the ball until it has been kicked. If the ball pitch in touch, the opposite side may claim to have it kicked-off again. The kicker's side must be behind the ball when kicked-off, and in case of infringement the Referee shall, on a claim by the opposite side, order a scrummage to be formed in the centre of the ground.

33. The ball shall be kicked off (1) at the commencement of the game; (2) after a goal has been obtained; (3) after a change of goals at half-time.

34. Each side shall play from either goal for an equal time.

35. The captains of the respective sides shall toss up before the commencement of the match; the winner of the toss shall have the option of choice of goals, or the kick-off.

36. Whenever a goal shall have been obtained, the side which has lost the goal shall then kick-off. When goals have been changed at half-time, the side which did not kick-off at the commencement of the game shall then kick-off.

37. Kick out is a drop kick by one of the players of the side which has had to touch the ball down in their own goal or into whose touch in goal the ball has gone (Law 20), and is the mode of bringing the ball again into play, and cannot count as a goal. (See Law 40.)

38. Kick out must be a drop kick, and from not more than twenty-five yards outside the kicker's goal-line; if the ball when kicked out pitch in touch, the opposite side may claim to have it kicked off again. The kicker's side must be behind the ball when kicked out, and in case of infringement, the referee shall, on an appeal from the opposite side, order the ball to be scrummaged at a spot twenty-five yards from the kicker's goal-line, and equidistant from both the touch lines; and the opposite side may not obstruct such kicker within twenty-five yards of his own goal-line.

39. A side having touched the ball down in their opponents' goal, shall try at goal by a place-kick in the following manner: One of the players shall bring it up to the goal-line in a straight line (parallel to the touch lines) from the spot where it was touched-down, and thence walk out with it in a line parallel to the touch-lines such distance as he thinks proper, and there place it for another of his side to kick.

40. The defending side may charge as soon as the ball touches the ground, but if any of them do charge before the ball touches the ground, the Referee may, provided the kicker has not taken his kick, and then only on a claim by the kicker's side, disallow the charge, and the kicker's side must remain behind the ball until the try has been decided. If a goal be kicked, the game shall proceed, as provided in Law 36, but if a goal be not kicked, or if the bringer-out allow any of his side to touch the ball before it has been kicked, the ball shall be dead forthwith, and the game shall proceed by a kick-out, as provided in Law 38.

41. Charging, i.e. rushing forward to kick the ball or tackle a player, is lawful for the opposite side in all cases of a place-kick after a fair catch or upon a try at goal, immediately the ball touches or is placed on the ground; and in case of a drop kick or punt after a fair catch, as soon as the player having the ball commences to run or offers to kick, or the ball has touched the ground; but he may always draw back, and unless he has dropped the ball or actually touched it with his foot, they must again retire to his mark. (see Law 43). Except in a scrummage, it is not lawful for a player to charge against or obstruct any opponent, unless such opponent is holding the ball, or such player is himself running at the ball.

42. In the event of a player illegally tackling, charging, or obstructing any opponent, the Referee shall, on a claim from the opposite side, award a free-kick at the spot where the offence took place, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44.

But if, in the opinion of the Referee, on a claim from the opposite side, a try would undoubtedly have been gained but for unfair play or interference of the defending side, he shall adjudge such try. On the other hand, if, in his opinion, a try would undoubtedly not have been gained but for unfair play or interference of the attacking side, he shall, on a claim by the opposite side adjudge a touch-down. The kick in case of a try shall be taken at any point on the line passing through the spot where the ball was when such unfair play or interference took place, parallel with the touch line.

43. In case of a fair catch, the opposite side may come up to and charge from anywhere on or behind a line drawn through the mark made and parallel to the goal-line. In all cases the kicker's side must be behind the ball when it is kicked, but may not charge until it has been kicked. In case of any infringement the Referee shall, on an a claim by the opposite side, order a scrummage to be formed at the spot where the fair catch was made. If after a fair catch more than one player of the attacking side touch the ball before it is again kicked, the opposite side may charge forthwith.

44. A free-kick awarded by way of penalty shall be taken by either a drop, punt, or place-kick, and by any member of the side to which it has been awarded. In all other respects the kick shall be taken in the manner prescribed for fair catches in Law 26, it being understood that the place whence the kicker is entitled to take his kick shall be regarded as the mark of a player who has made a fair catch.

45. If, in the opinion of the Referee, a player shall have been guilty of rough or foul play, he shall, in his discretion, either caution him for the first offence or warn him off without any caution, but always on a second offence it shall be his duty to warn off the offender, and in every case to forthwith report the occurrence to the Rugby Union Committee, who shall, in their discretion, suspend the offender, and any Club which plays with or against him during suspension, for such period as they think fit.

46. If a player shall kick, pass, or carry the ball back across his goal-line and it there be made dead, the opposite side may claim that the ball shall be brought back and a scrummage formed at the spot whence it was kicked, passed, or carried back. Under any other circumstances a player may touch the ball down in his own goal.

47. No hacking, or hacking over, or tripping up, shall be allowed under any circumstances. No one wearing projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta-percha on any part of his boots or shoes shall be allowed to play in a match.

48. In the case of any law being broken, or any irregularity of play occurring on the part of either side not otherwise provided for, the opposite side may claim that the ball be taken back to the place where the breach of law or irregularity of play occurred, and a scrummage formed there.

49. In all Matches two Umpires shall be appointed and a Referee; the latter official must be chosen with the consent of either the respective Secretaries or Captains of the contending Clubs or bodies. If the Captains of either side challenge the construction placed upon any Law, he shall have the right of appeal to the Rugby Union Committee.

Subject to this right of appeal it shall be the duty of the Referee to report immediately to the Rugby Union Committee any player who disputes any of his decisions; and the Rugby Union Committee shall, in their discretion, suspend the offender, and any Club which plays with or against him during suspension, for such period as they shall think fit.

50. Neither Half-Time nor No-Side shall be called until the ball is fairly held or goes out of play, and in the case of a try or fair catch, the kick at goal only shall be allowed.

Notes

1. Changes from October 1886:
   • Law 9: replace "putting his hand upon the ball on the ground in touch or in goal" with "putting his hand upon the ball on the ground in goal".
   • Law 14: append "If, in the opinion of the Referee, any player shall, in a scrummage, intentionally either handle the ball or fall down, he shall, on a claim from the opposite side, award a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Law 18: append "If, in the opinion of the Referee, he has not immediately put the ball down, and if being on the ground has not immediately got up, he shall, on a claim from the opposite side, award a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Law 20: replace "Rules 38 and 39" with "Laws 37 and 38" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old laws 22 and 24: combined and renumbered to new law 23 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 22 (new law 23): delete "either in or out of touch or goal" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill)..
   • Old law 22 (new law 23): replace "In case any player plays the ball when he is off side, the captain of the opposite side may claim that the ball be taken back and put down at the place where it was last played before the off-side play occurred" with "In case any player wilfully touches the ball when he is off-side, the opposite side may claim either (1) a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44 where such off-side play occurred; or (2) a scrummage at the spot where the ball was last played before the offence occurred" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 23: renumbered to new law 22 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 24 (new law 23): delete "at the time" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 24 (new law 23): replace "commence or attempt to run, tackle" with "run, or attempt to tackle" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 24 (new law 23): replace "the captain of the opposite side may claim a free kick for the player so interfered with; such free kick shall be either a punt or a drop kick from the spot where the interference took place, and shall be taken in accordance with the conditions of Law 41; such free kick shall not count a goal" with "the opposite side may claim either (1) a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44; or (2) a scrummage at the spot where the ball was last played before the offence occurred" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old laws 25-39 renumbered to new laws 24-38 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill)..
   • Old law 26 (new law 25): append " Unless it be knocked on from a throw out of touch, when vide Law 30" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 26 (new law 25): delete "(See Rules 40 and 41.)" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 26 (new law 25): append old law 40 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 26 (new law 25): append "such kick in any case to be made in the direction of the opponent's goal-line. If the player retires behind his own goal-line for the purpose of taking such kick, the ball must be kicked across such goal-line in the direction of the opponent's goal-line" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 26 (new law 25): append old law 41 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 28 (new law 27): replace "rule" with "Law" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 31 (new law 30): append "If on a throw-out from touch the ball shall be knocked on, the opposite side may claim either (1) a free-kick, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44 at the spot where the knock on occurred, such free-kick not to count a goal; or (2) a scrummage at the spot where the knock on occurred" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 38 (new law 37): replace "Rule" with "Law" (2 occurrences) (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 40: now part of new law 25 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 41: now part of new law 25 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 42: renumber to new law 46 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 44-45 renumbered to new laws 40-41 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 44 (new law 40): replace "Rule 37" with "Law 36" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 44 (new law 40): replace "if the bringer out fail to make a mark on the goal-line, except when the try was obtained between the posts, or allow any of his side to touch the ball" with "if the bringer-out allow any of his side to touch the ball" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 44 (new law 40): replace "Rule 39" with "Law 38" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 45 (new law 41): replace "Rule 46" with "Law 43" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Add new law 42: "In the event of a player illegally tackling, charging, or obstructing any opponent, the Referee shall, on a claim from the opposite side, award a free-kick at the spot where the offence took place, such free-kick to be taken in accordance with Law 44. But if, in the opinion of the Referee, on a claim from the opposite side, a try would undoubtedly have been gained but for unfair play or interference of the defending side, he shall adjudge such try. On the other hand, if, in his opinion, a try would undoubtedly not have been gained but for unfair play or interference of the attacking side, he shall, on a claim by the opposite side adjudge a touch-down. The kick in case of a try shall be taken at any point on the line passing through the spot where the ball was when such unfair play or interference took place, parallel with the touch line (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 46 renumbered to new law 43 (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Add new law 44: "A free-kick awarded by way of penalty shall be taken by either a drop, punt, or place-kick, and by any member of the side to which it has been awarded. In all other respects the kick shall be taken in the manner prescribed for fair catches in Law 26, it being understood that the place whence the kicker is entitled to take his kick shall be regarded as the mark of a player who has made a fair catch" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Add new law 45: "If, in the opinion of the Referee, a player shall have been guilty of rough or foul play, he shall, in his discretion, either caution him for the first offence or warn him off without any caution, but always on a second offence it shall be his duty to warn off the offender, and in every case to forthwith report the occurrence to the Rugby Union Committee, who shall, in their discretion, suspend the offender, and any Club which plays with or against him during suspension, for such period as they think fit" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Old law 42 (new law 46): replace "A player may touch the ball down in his own goal at any time" with "If a player shall kick, pass, or carry the ball back across his goal-line and it there be made dead, the opposite side may claim that the ball shall be brought back and a scrummage formed at the spot whence it was kicked, passed, or carried back. Under any other circumstances a player may touch the ball down in his own goal" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Law 49: replace "rule" with "Law" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   • Law 49: append "Subject to this right of appeal it shall be the duty of the Referee to report immediately to the Rugby Union Committee any player who disputes any of his decisions; and the Rugby Union Committee shall, in their discretion, suspend the offender, and any Club which plays with or against him during suspension, for such period as they shall think fit" (proposed by A. Budd; seconded by G. Rowland Hill).
   For more information, see "Rugby Football Union: Annual General Meeting". Sportsman: 4. 1888-10-05. . (Wikisource contributor note)