Rugby Laws Explained

Sets what a player on the ground can and can't do when there's no ruck or maul.

What it says

A player on the ground in open play, outside of a ruck or maul, must get up or move away before playing the ball again, and can't deliberately stay down to slow the game or block an opponent. They also can't be tackled again once genuinely on the ground and not playing the ball.

Why it exists

Without this law, players could use their own body on the ground as an obstruction, slowing down defenders or attackers without any real contest for the ball taking place. It keeps play flowing by making sure grounded players either get involved properly or get out of the way.

In practice

This shows up most after a tackle that doesn't immediately form a ruck. If the ball squirts loose, any player on the ground nearby has to act fast, either playing it fairly or clearing out of the space rather than lying over it.

Common confusions

This law is often confused with the tackle law itself, but it specifically covers players on the ground away from an actual tackle situation, such as loose ball scenarios and players who've simply slipped, where no formal ruck or maul has formed.

Last checked against the official law book: 2026-08-24