Twenty-five
- (R.) The space between the goal-lines and parallel lines drawn 25 yards nearer the centre.
Volley. To kick a ball before it bounces.
Wheel.-(R.) When the forwards of one side, having obtained possession of the ball, go away to their left or right front with it, leaving the HEADING THE BALL. opponents on one side, they are said to wheel the scrummage. [Also SCREW and SWING.] Wing-forward. - (R.) A forward who comes late into the scrummage and devotes his attention rather to smart breaking away therefrom, and the interception of passes, than to hard shoving in the pack. (A.) One of the pairs of forwards on either side of the Centre.
LAWS OF THE GAME.
I.-RUGBY.
I. Introduction.-I. The Rugby Game of Football should be played by 15 players on each side. The field of play shall not exceed IIO yards in length, nor 75 in breadth, and shall be as near these dimensions as practicable. The lines defining the boundary of the field of play shall be suitably marked, and shall be called the goal-lines at the ends and the touch-lines at the sides. On each goal-line and equidistant from the touchlines shall be two upright posts, called goal-posts, exceeding II ft. in height, and placed 18 ft. 6 in. apart, and joined by a cross-bar IO ft. from the ground; and the object of the game shall be to kick the ball over this cross-bar and between the posts. The game shall be played with an oval ball of as nearly as possible the following size and weight, namely :- G L Length ..
Length circumference Width circumference Weight .. .. .. .. ..
II to 30 31 25 26 I3 " 142OZ. 13 دو دو دو دو دو Hand-sewn and not less than 8 stitches to the inch.
II.-Glossary-Duties of Officials-Scoring.- 2. The following terms occur in the laws, and have the respective meanings attached to each :- Dead-Ball Lines. -Not more than 25 yards behind and equidistant from each goal-line, and parallel thereto, shall be lines, which shall be called the Dead-Ball Lines, and if the ball or player holding the ball touch or cross these lines the ball shall be dead and out of play.
In-Goal. Those portions of the ground immediately at the end of the field of play and between the touch-lines, produced to the dead-ball lines, are called In-Goal. The goal-lines are In-Goal.
Touch. Those portions of the ground immediately at the sides of the field of play and between the goal-lines, if produced, are called Touch. The touch-lines and all posts and flags marking these lines, or the centre, or 25 yards' lines, are in Touch.
Touch-in-Goal. -Those portions of the ground immediately at the four corners of the field of play, and between the goal and touch-lines, if respectively produced, are called Touch-in-Goal.
The corner-posts and flags are in Touch-in-Goal.
A Drop-Kick is made by letting the ball fall from the hands, and kicking it as it rises.
A Place-kick is made by kicking the ball after it has been placed on the ground for the purpose.
A Punt is made by letting the ball fall from the hands and kicking it before it touches the ground.
A Tackle is when the holder of the ball is held by one or more players of the opposite side.
Held is when the player carrying the ball cannot pass it.
A Scrummage, which can only take place in the field of play, is formed by one or more players from each side closing round the ball when it is on the ground, or by their closing up in readiness to allow the ball to be put on the ground between them.
A Try is gained by the player who first puts his hand in the ball on the ground in his opponents' In-Goal.
A Touch-Down is when a player touches down as above in his own In-Goal.
A Goal is obtained by kicking the ball from the field of play, by any place-kick except a kick off, or by any drop-kick except a drop-out, without touching the ground or any player of either side over the opponents' cross-bar, whether it touch such cross-bar or either goal-post or not. If in the case of a kick at goal the ball is illegally stopped after the kick has been taken, the referee shall have power to award a goal.
Knocking-on and Throwing-forward are propelling the ball by the hand or arm in the direction of the opponents' In-Goal; a throw out of touch cannot be claimed as a throw-forward.
A Fair Catch is a catch made direct from a kick. or knock-on, or throw-forward by one of the opposite side, the catcher must immediately claim the same by making a mark with his heel at the spot where he made the catch.
Kick off is a place kick from the centre of the field of play; the opposite side may not stand within ten yards of the ball, nor charge until the ball be kicked, otherwise another kick off shall be allowed. If the ball pitch in touch, the opposite side may have it kicked off again. [FOOTBALL Drop-out is a drop kick from within 25 yards of the kicker's goal-line; within which distance the opposite side may not charge, otherwise another drop-out shall be allowed. If the ball pitch in touch the opposite side may have it dropped out again.
At kick off the ball must reach the limit of ten yards, and at drop-out must reached the 25 yards' line. If otherwise, the opposite may have the ball re-kicked, or scrummaged, at the centre, or in the middle of the 25 yards' line, as the case may be.
Off-Side. See Laws 7 and 8.
Referee and Touch Judges.-3. In all matches a Referee and two Touch Judges must be appointed, the former being mutually agreed upon. The Referee must carry a whistle, the blowing of which shall stop the game; he must whistle in the following cases :- (a) When a player makes and claims a fair catch. (b) When he notices rough or foul play or misconduct. For the first offence he shall either caution the player or order him off the ground, but for the second offence he must order him off.
If ordered off, the player must be reported by him to this Union. (c) When he considers that the continuation of the play is dangerous. (d) When he wishes to stop the game for any purpose. (e) If the ball or a player running with the ball touch him, in which case it shall be scrummaged at the spot. (f) At half-time and no-side, he being the sole timekeeper, having sole power to allow extra time for delays, but he shall not whistle for halftime and no-side until the ball be held or out of play. (g) When he notices any irregularity of play whereby the side committing such gain an advantage. 15. (h) When he notices a breach of Laws 5 and (i) When he wishes to enforce any penalty under Law II. (j) When a goal is kicked. (k) When the ball goes into touch-in-goal.
Powers of Referee. - The Referee shall be sole judge in all matters of fact, but as to matters of law, there shall be the right of appeal to this Union.
Duty of Touch Judges. The Touch Judges shall carry flags, and shall each take one side of the ground, outside the field of play, and the duty of each shall be to hold up his flag when and where the ball goes into touch, or touch-in-goal, and also to assist the Referee, when kicks at goal from a try, fair catch, or free kicks are being taken, each standing at a goal-post.
Rules.-4. The Captains of the respective sides shall toss for the choice of in-goals or the kick off. Each side shall play an equal time from each in-goal, and a match shall be won by a majority of points; if no point be scored, or the number be equal, the match shall be drawn.
Scoring. The following shall be the mode of scoring :- .. .. .. ..
A Try A Goal from a Try (in which case the try shall not count) A Dropped Goal (except from a Mark or a Penalty Kick) Goal from a Mark or a Penalty Kick equals 3 points. وو وو بال دو دو دو FOOTBALL] Note. It has been agreed to recommend to the International Board that the value of a Dropped Goal be reduced from 4 points to 3 points.
Kick off.-5. At the time of the kick off all the kicker's side shall be behind the ball; if any be in front the Referee shall blow his whistle and order a scrummage where the kick off took place.
The game shall be started by a kick off :- (a) After a goal, by the side losing such goal, and (b) After half-time by the opposite to that which started the game.
III.-Mode of Play-Definitions.-6. When (b) When the ball has been kicked by, or has touched an opponent. (c) When one of his side has run in front of him with the ball. (d) When one of his side has run in front of him, having kicked the ball when behind him.
An off-side player shall not play the ball, nor during the time an opponent has the ball, run, tackle, or actively or passively obstruct, nor may he approach or wilfully remain within ten yards of any player waiting for the ball; on any breach of this law, the opposite side shall be awarded, at their option- MID FIELD. FORWARDS PASSING. once the game is started, the ball may be kicked or picked up and run with by any player who is on-side, at any time; except that it may not be picked up- (a) In a scrummage. (b) When it has been put down after it has been fairly held. (c) When it is on the ground after a player has been tackled.
It may be passed or knocked from one player to another provided it be not passed, knocked, or thrown forward. If a player while holding or running with the ball be held, he must at once put it fairly down. between him and his opponents' goal-line.
Off-side.-7. A player is placed off-side if he enters a scrummage from his opponents' side, or if the ball has been kicked, touched, or is being run with by one of his own side behind him. A player can be off-side in his opponents' in-goal, but not in his own, except where one of his side takes a free kick behind his goal-line, in which case all of his side must be behind the ball when kicked. 8. An off-side player is placed on-side:- (a) When an opponent has run five yards with the ball. (e) A free kick, the place of such breach being taken as the mark. (f) A scrummage at the spot where the ball was last played by the offending side before such breach occurred.
Except in the case of unintentional off-side, when a scrummage shall be formed where such breach occurred.
Fair Catch.-9. If a player makes a fair catch a free kick shall be awarded, even though the whistle has been blown for a knock-on or a throw-forward. Any player on the same side may take the kick or place the ball.
Free Kicks.-10. All free kicks may be place kicks, drop kicks, or punts, but must be in the direction of the opponents' goal-line, and across the kicker's goal-line, if kicked from behind the same. They may be taken at any spot behind the mark in a line parallel to the touch-lines.
In all cases the kicker's side must be behind the ball when it is kicked, except the player who may be placing the ball for a place kick, and it is the duty of the Referee to see that the ball be kicked from the parallel line. In case of any infringement of this law the Referee shall order a scrummage at the mark. The opposite side may come up to, and charge from anywhere on or behind. a line drawn through the mark and parallel to the goal-lines, and may charge as soon as the kicker commences to run or offers to kick or the ball be placed on the ground for a place kick, but in case of a drop kick or punt the kicker may always draw back, and unless he has dropped the ball the opposite side must retire to the line of the mark. But if any of the opposite side do charge before the player having the ball commences to run or offers to kick, or the ball has touched the ground for a place kick (and this applies to tries at goal as well as free kicks), provided the kicker has not taken his kick, the charge may be disallowed.
IV. Penalties. II. Free kicks by way of penalties shall be awarded if any player- ソーン------ INTERCEPTING A PASS. (a) Intentionally either handles the ball, or falls down in a scrummage, or picks the ball out of a scrummage. (b) Does not immediately put it down in front of him, on being held. (c) Being on the ground, does not immediately get up. (d) Prevents an opponent getting up, or putting the ball down. (e) Illegally tackles, charges, or obstructs, as in Law 8. (f) Wilfully holds an opponent who has not got the ball. a (g) Wilfully hacks, hacks-over, or trips-up. (h) Wilfully puts the ball unfairly into scrummage, or, the ball having come out, wilfully returns it by hand or foot into the scrummage. (i) Not himself running for the ball, charges or obstructs an opponent not holding the ball. (j) Shouts "all on-side," or words to that effect, when his players are not on-side. (k) Not in a scrummage, wilfully obstructs his opponents' backs by remaining on his opponents' side of the ball when it is in a scrummage. (1) Wilfully prevents the ball being fairly put into a scrummage. (m) If any player or team wilfully and systematically break any law or laws, for which the penalty is only a scrummage, or cause unnecessary loss of time. (n) Being in a scrummage, lift a foot from the ground before the ball has been put into such scrummage.
The places of infringement shall be taken as the [FOOTBALL mark, and any one of the side granted the free kick may place or kick the bali.
On breach of sub-section (j) the opposite side shall be awarded at their option- (a) A scrummage where the ball was played. last (b) A free kick at the place of infringement.
V. General.-12. The ball is in touch when it or a player carrying it, touch or cross the touchline; it shall then belong to the side opposite to that last touching it in the field of play, except when carried in. One of the side to whom the ball belongs shall bring it into play at the spot where it went into touch, by one of the following methods:- (a) Throwing it out so as to alight at right angles to the touch-line, or (b) Scrummaging it at any spot at right angles to the touch-line, IO yards from the place where it went into touch.
If the Referee blows his whistle because the ball has been thrown out so as not to alight at right angles to the touch-line, the opposite side shall bring it out as in (b). 13. When the side has scored a try, the ball shall be brought from the spot where the try was gained into the field of play in a line parallel to the touch-lines, such distance as the placer thinks proper, and there he shall place the ball for one of his side to try and kick a goal; this place kick is governed by Law IO as to charging, &c., the mark being taken as on the goal-line.
It is the duty of the Referee to see that the ball is taken out straight.
The Referee shall award a try, if, in his opinion, one would undoubtedly have been obtained but for unfair play or interference of the defending side. Or, he shall disallow a try, and adjudge a touch-down, if, in his opinion, a try would undoubtedly not have been gained but for unfair play or interference of the attacking side.
In case of a try so allowed the kick at goal shall be taken at any point on a line parallel to the touch-lines, and passing through the spot where the ball was when such unfair play or interference took place. 14. If the ball, when over the goal-line and in possession of a player, be fairly held by an opposing player before it is grounded, it shall be scrummaged 5 yards from the goal-line, opposite the spot where the ball was held. 15. After an unsuccessful try, or touch-down, or if the ball after crossing the goal-line go into touch in goal or touch or cross the dead-ball line, it shall be brought into play by means of a dropout, when all the kicker's side must be behind the ball when kicked; in case any are in front, the Referee shall order a scrummage on the 25 yards' line and equidistant from the touch-lines. 16. In case of a throw-forward or knock-on, the ball shall be brought back to the place where such infringement occurred and there be scrummaged, unless a fair catch has been allowed, or the opposite side gain an advantage. 17. If a player shall wilfully kick, pass, knock, 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, knocked, or carried back. Under any other circumstances a player may touch the ball down in his own in-goal. 18. Hacking, hacking-over, or tripping-up are illegal. The Referee shall have full power to decide what part of a player's dress, including boots and projections thereon, buckles, rings, &c., are dangerous, and having once decided that FOOTBALL] any part is dangerous, shall order such player to remove the same, and shall not allow him to take further part in the game until such be removed. 19. In case of any law being infringed in in-goal by the attacking side, a touch-down shall be awarded, but where such breach is committed by the defending side, a scrummage shall be awarded 5 yards from the goal-line, opposite to the spot where the breach occurred.
But in the case of any law being broken, or any irregularities of play occurring on the part of either side not otherwise provided for, the ball shall be taken back to the place where the breach of the law or irregularity of play occurred, and a scrummage formed there.
REGULATIONS AUTHORISED BY THE RUGBY UNION ON COUNTY QUALIFICATIONS. 1. A man may play :-- (a) For the county in which he was born, or (b) For the county in which he has resided for the three months previous to the time of playing, or (c) For the county in which he is residing at school or college, either as pupil or master, at the time of playing, provided his residence at the school or college be in the same county. 2. A man shall still be qualified to play for a county, having previously qualified for and played for that county, and not having subsequently played for any other county. 3. No man shall play for more than one county during the same season. 4. A man who has resided for three months previous to the time of playing in a county in which there is no county club playing matches shall be qualified to play for any county adjoining the county in which he sides. Residence by members of the University at Oxford and Cambridge shall not afford a qualification under this regulation. This regulation shall not apply to the county of Monmouth. 5. No man possessing an Irish, Scotch, or Welsh International Cap shall be eligible to play in a county championship match. 6. Should any question arise as to qualifications, the same shall be left to the decision of the Rugby Union Committee.
RULES AS TO PROFESSIONALISM. 1. Professionalism is illegal. 2. Acts of professionalism are: (1) By an individual- (A) Asking, receiving, or relying on a promise, direct or implied, to receive any money consideration whatever, actual or prospective, any employment or advancement, any establishment in business, or any compensation whatever for playing football or rendering any service to a football organisation; training or loss of time connected therewith; time lost in playing football, or in travelling in connection with football; expenses in excess of the amount actually disbursed account of reasonable hotel or travelling expenses. (B) Transferring his services from one club to another in opposition to Rule 6. on (c) Playing for a club while receiving, or after having received, from such club any consideration whatever for acting as secretary, treasurer, or in any other office, or for doing, or for having done any work or labour about the club's ground or in connection with the club's affairs. (D) Remaining on tour at his club's expense longer than is reasonable. (E) Giving or receiving any money testimonial, or giving or receiving any other testimonial, except under the authority of this Union. (F) Receiving any medal or other prize for any competition, except under the authority of this Union. (G) Playing on any ground where gate-money is taken during the close season; in any match or contest where it is previously agreed that less than fifteen players on each side shall take part. (H) Knowingly playing with or against any expelled or suspended player or club. (1) Refusing to give evidence or otherwise assist in carrying out these rules when requested by this Union to do so. (J) Being registered as or declared a professional, or suspended by any national union, or by the Football Association. (k) Playing within eight days of any accident A FORWARD DODGING A BACK. for which he has claimed or received insurance compensation, if insured under these rules. (L) Playing in any benefit match connected directly or indirectly with football. (M) Knowingly playing or acting as referee or touch-judge on the ground of an expelled or suspended club. (2) By a club or other organisation- (A) Paying or promising payment, or giving, offering, or promising any inducement as to employment, advancement, or establishment in business, or any compensation whatever, to any player ling expenses to or from any training resort, or for playing for that club, training, or for travelof time while playing or travelling in connection for loss of time in connection with training, loss with football, hotel, or travelling expenses in excess of the sum actually and reasonably disbursed. (B) Receiving as a member a member of another club in opposition to Rule 6. (c) Receiving or continuing as a member anyone it may pay or have paid for either regular or occasional services. (D) Paying for any of its teams, players, officials, or members on tour longer than a reasonable time, or paying for more than a reasonable number. (E) Giving from its funds, subscribing, or playing a match for any testimonial. (F) Giving any medal or other prize for any competition except under the authority of this Union. (G) Taking gate-money at any ground during the close season, at any match or contest where it is previously agreed that less than fifteen players on each side shall take part. (H) Knowingly playing or allowing its members to play with or against any expelled or suspended player or club. (1) Refusing to produce its books or documents, or to allow its officials or members to give evidence, or to assist in carrying out these rules when requested by the Union to do so. (J) Knowingly playing or admitting as a member without the consent of the Union any member of an expelled or suspended club, or any expelled or suspended player, or any person registered as or declared a professional, or suspended by any National Rugby Union, or by the Football Association. (k) Knowingly allowing a player to play in its matches within eight days of any accident for which he has received or claimed insurance compensation if insured under these rules. (L) Playing or allowing its ground to be used for any benefit match connected directly or indirectly with football. (M) Knowingly allowing its members or teams to play on the ground of any expelled or suspended club. (N) Refusing to pay within one month any costs or expenses ordered by this Union for inquiries held under these rules. 3. For offences under 2 (I), A, H, I, L, and M, an individual shall be expelled from all English clubs playing Rugby Football, and shall not be eligible for re-election or election to any club.
For offences under 2 (1), B, C, D, E, F, G, J, and K, individual shall be suspended during the pleasure of this Union. an 4. For offences under 2 (2), A, D, H, I, L, M, and N, a club shall be expelled from this Union.
For offences under 2 (2), B, C, E, F, J, and k, a club shall be suspended during the pleasure of this