The 1996 Changes to the Laws of the Game
The following is based on information posted on the referee's mailing list.
The laws changes will be included in the
on-line laws when the IRFB March meeting confirms
them and sends me the exact text. Note that in most Northern Hemisphere
countries, these laws do not come into effect until the Fall/Winter season.
From: "John Carter"
Organization: Charles Sturt University
To: refs@tamaluit.phys.uidaho.edu
Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 11:33:18 GMT-10
Subject: Text version of the new rugby laws
The following is extracted from a letter from KA Rowlands
Amendments to the Laws of the Game
The Council at its AGM on 29/30 January 1996 agreed to the attached
amendments to the Laws of the Game including a full rewrite of Law 4
- Players Dress and Experimental Variations in respect of Law 20 -
Scrummage and Law 23 - Line-out.
They are to start at the start of the next Northern and Southern
seasons
The following are the attachments, Page numbers refer to the IRFB
Law Book.
-----------------------------
Law 2 - Ball
Amend Note (i) page 108 to read:
Note:- (i) The ball, at commencement of play, should have a pressure
at sea level of 9 1/2 - 10 lbs. per square inch (0.67-0.70 kilograms
per square centimeter).
Reason: Clarification
-----------------------------
Law 3 - NUMBER OF PLAYERS and the replacement of players
Amend new rewrite as of September 1995 to Read:
Under 21 Teams
(10) When seven replacements are nominated, at least two of those
nominated must be players who can play as a lock.
When more than seven replacements are nominated, the first
additional player must be a front row player so that the positions of
loose head prop, hooker and tight head prop are all covered.
Reason: Safety for teams below international level.
-----------------------------
Law 3 - NUMBER OF PLAYERS and the replacement of players
Amend last paragraph of Section (12) to read:
(12) When there is no other front row forward available due to a
sequence of players ordered off or injured or both, then the game
will continue with non contestable scrummages which are normal
scrummages except that:
x there is no contest for the ball
x the team putting in the ball must win it
x neither team is permitted to push
x the formation of both teams must be 3-4-1
x if one team is a player short, the both scrummages must be in
3-4 formation
x if one team is two players short, the both scrummages must be
in 3-2-1 formation
x if one team is three players short, the both scrummages must be
in 3-2 formation
Reason: Clarification
-----------------------------
Law 4 - Player's dress
New rewrite of Page 114
LAW 4. PLAYERS' DRESS
Players' dress consists of the following items: Jerseys, shorts and
undergarments, socks and boots.
(1) A player may wear
x a mouth guard
x shin guards provided they have no sharp edges
x soft thin pads of cotton wool, sponge, rubber or similar soft
material, provided that they are attached to the body by adhesive
tape and are not sewn into the jersey, shorts or undergarments
x a scrum cap or strips of adhesive tape as a protection for the
ears or against abrasions from hard ground provided that the scrum
cap is made of soft lightweight un-reinforced fabric or leather
without additional padding and has no projections.
x mitts
x bandages or a dressing to cover an open or bleeding wound
sustained during the match
(2) A player may not wear
x Shoulder pads of the "harness" type
x braces or supports which include rigid or reinforced material
x protective garments on any part of the body except as in
Section (1)
x helmets or head guards except as in Section (1)
x undergarments which include padding
x clothing which has become bloodstained during the match
x gloves
x dangerous projections such as buckles or rings
(3) Studs of a player's boots must conform to the British Standard
BS 6366: 1983. They must be circular, securely fastened to the boots
and of the following dimensions:-
Maximum length (measured from sole)............18 mm
Minimum diameter at base.......................13 mm
Minimum diameter at top........................10 mm
Minimum diameter of integral washer............20 mm
The wearing of a single stud at the toe of the boot is
prohibited.
Note:- (i) The moulded rubber multi-studded sole is acceptable under
this Law.
(4) The referee has power to decide before or during the match that
any part of a player's dress is dangerous. He must then order the
player to remove the dangerous part and permit him to resume playing
in the match only after it has been removed.
HOWEVER if the referee, or the touch-judge has already indicated
to a player on inspection before the match that an item is
inadmissible under this Law, and the player is than found to be
wearing it on the field-of-play, the player should be ordered off
under Law 26(3)(j).
Note:- (ii) If a player requires any form of protection or support as
listed in Section (2), he should not play in a match.
(iii) The referee must not permit a team or individual players to
leave the playing area in order to change jerseys unless the jersey
has become bloodstained in which case it must be replaced
Reason: To provide clarity and eliminate confusion as to what can
or cannot be worn.
Note (ii) is included to stress that players requiring
such protection should not be playing, for their own safety.
-----------------------------
Law 6 - REFEREE AND TOUCH JUDGES
Amend Section B(5)(c) page 127 to read:
(c) when, at a quick throw-in, the ball that went into touch is
not used or, after going into touch, the ball has been touched
by anyone other than the player throwing it in.
Reason: Clarification
-----------------------------
Law 9 - Ball or player touching the referee
Amend Section 9(2)(b) page 134 to read:
(b) If the ball in a player's possession or a player carrying it
touches the referee in his opponents' In-goal before grounding
the ball, a try shall be awarded at that place.
Reason: Consistency with Law (9)(2)(a)
-----------------------------
Law 14 - In-goal
Page 151 or IRFB Handbook
Transfer Note (ii) to page 149 before "Drop-out"
Reason: Clarification
Add a new note (iii) page 151 as follows:
Note:- (iii) When the ball has been made dead as provided under
Law 15(6) a drop out may be awarded.
Reason: Consequential change to new Law 15(6)
-----------------------------
Law 15 - Drop out
Delete Note (i) page 152 and 153
Amend Note (iii) as follows and insert it as Note (i):
Note:- (i) The advantage Law applies where the drop kick does not
reach the twenty-two meters line.
Reason: Clarification
-----------------------------
Amend Section 15(4) page 152 to read:
(4) The kicker's team must be behind the ball when kicked; otherwise
a scrummage shall be formed at the center of the twenty-two meters
line and the opposing team shall put in the ball. However, retiring
players of the kicker's team who are in front of the ball will not be
penalised if their failure to retire is due to the rapidity with
which the kick has been taken but they must not stop retiring and
must not enter the game until they have been made on-side by an
action of their own team as required by Law 25(1).
Penalty: Scrummage at the place of infringement and the opposing
team shall put in the ball.
Reason: Consistency with Law 27 and Law 28
-----------------------------
Add a new Section (6) to page 153
(6) When the ball has been made dead intentionally by the attacking
team by a kick, other than an unsuccessful kick at goal, which goes
into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, the defending
team will have the option of a drop-out or of a scrummage which
scrummage will be ordered at the place from where the ball was
kicked. This place should not be less than five metres from the
touch-line.
Reason: Discourage delay tactics by keeping the ball in
play.
-----------------------------
Law 16 - FAIR-CATCH (MARK)
Amend Definition page 154 to read:
(a) A player makes a fair-catch when in his twenty-two meters area
or in his In-Goal, he cleanly catches the ball direct from a kick,
other than from a kick-off, by one of his opponents and, at the same
time, he exclaims "Mark". A fair catch may be obtained even though
the ball on its way touches a goal post or crossbar.
(b) A free kick is awarded for a fair-catch.
Start Law 16(1) with "The Free Kick..."
Reason: To give the defender an equal chance to compete for
the ball and for safety reasons.
-----------------------------
Law 17 - KNOCK-ON OR THROW-FORWARD
Amend the penalty provision after Section 17(1) page 156 to read:
"Penalty kick" instead of "Free kick"
Reason: An offence for which a penalty try can be awarded should
have a minimum penalty provision of a penalty kick
-----------------------------
Law 18 - TACKLE, LYING WITH, ON OR NEAR THE BALL
Insert a new Section 18(1)(b) in page 158:
(b) Any player who tackles an opponent and, in doing so, goes to
ground in the same way as the tackled player, MUST IMMEDIATELY
release the tackled player
AND
get up or move away from the tackled player and the ball.
He must not play the ball until he is on his feet.
Renumber 18(1)(b) and 18(1)(c) as 18(1)(c) and 18(1)(d)
Reason: It puts the same obligation on the tackler as the tackled
player. At present the Laws do not require a tackler to get up and
move away from tackled player thus preventing full access to the
ball.
-----------------------------
Law 18(1)
Page 158 of the IRFB Handbook, last line replace "and" by "or"
-----------------------------
Law 20 - Scrummage
Amend Note (i) page 165 to read:
(i) To the extent that is necessary, the scrummage is to be
moved from the place of infringement so that the scrummage is formed
in the field-of-play and the feet of all the defending players in the
scrummage are in the field of play.
Reason: Clarification - In line with definition and as a
consequence of the experimental variation adopted of Law 20(4).
-----------------------------
Delete Section (4) page 166 and replace it with:
(4) Experimental Variation:
Eight players from each team shall be required to form a
scrummage. While the scrummage is in progress these players shall
remain bound in the scrummage until it ends. Each front row of a
scrummage shall have three players in it at all times. The head of a
player in a front row shall not be next to the head of a player of
the same team. (F.K.)
Exception:
(a) when for any reason the number of players in a team is reduced
to less than fifteen players, the number of players of each team in
the scrummage may be similarly reduced. Any reduction must not be
such that the number of players for any team in the scrummage is less
than five.
(b) In the case of non-contested scrummages the provisions of Law 6A
Note (xii) shall apply.
Reason: Provide more space around the scrummage
-----------------------------
Delete Section (5)(c) page 169.
Penalty provision remain as is.
Consequential alteration to Under 19 Variations
Delete section (4)(a)
Renumber (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) as (a), (b), (c), (d),
(e), and (f)
Rewrite Note (x) page 170 as follows:
(x) The scrummage is ended
x if the ball in the scrummage is on or over the goal-line
x when the ball emerges
x if, in the scrummage, a player whose feet are the "hindmost"
feet in the scrummage, has the ball at his feet, unbinds and picks up
the ball.
Reason: Consequential Amendments
-----------------------------
Law 21 - Ruck
In the definition page 178 print "A Ruck" in bold and add the
following
Rucking is the act of a player who is in a ruck using his feet to
retrieve or retain the ball without contravening Law 26.
Reason: Clarification
-----------------------------
Insert in Section (2) before penalty page 178 a new (b) as follows:
(b) take any action while the ball is in the ruck to convey to
the opponents that the ball is out of the ruck
Renumber (b) through (g) as (c) through (h)
Reason: Consistency with scrummage
-----------------------------
Add after the penalty provision page 179 a new Note (ii):
Note:- (ii) Player's safety is of primary importance and players
should ruck for the ball and not the players on the ground. Players
rucking for the ball should attempt to step over other players lying
in close proximity to the ball.
Renumber page 179 note (ii) as (iii)
-----------------------------
Law 22 - Maul
Add a new Section 2(d) after penalty page 180:
(d) take any action while the ball is in the maul to convey to
the opponents that the ball is out of the maul
Penalty:- Free kick at the place of infringement.(FK)
Reason: Consistency with scrummage
-----------------------------
Law 22 (2)(c)
Amend Section 2(c) page 180 to read:
(c) Attempt to drag an opponent out of a maul.
Reason: Clarification
-----------------------------
Law 23 B - Line Out
Amend Section (2) page 186 to read:
(2) Each team must line up half a meter on its side of the line-of-
touch so as to leave a clear space of one meter between the two lines
of players.
Reason: Clarification
-----------------------------
Amend Section (9)(a) page 189 to read
(a) At a quick throw-in, the ball that went into touch must be used
and, after going into touch, unless it has been touched only by the
player throwing it in, the ball shall be thrown in at the place
indicated in (5) by the same team.
Reason: Clarification
-----------------------------
Amend Section (9)(b) page 189 to read
(b) At a quick throw-in, the ball must be thrown straight along
the line-of-touch so that it first touches the ground or touches or
is touched by a player at least five metres from the touch-line along
the line of touch.
Reason: Uniformity
-----------------------------
Restrictions on players in the Line-Out page 191 - 192 - 193
Delete Section (17) and amend Sections (15) and (16) as follows to be
played as EXPERIMENTAL VARIATIONS:-
(15) (EV) When a line-out is taking place, any player in the line-out
must NOT:
(a) be off-side, (PK) or
(b) use an opponent as a support to enable him to jump for the
ball (PK) or
(c) hold, push, charge, obstruct or grasp an opponent not
holding the ball (PK) or
(d) charge an opponent except in an attempt to tackle him or to
play the ball, (PK) or
(e) use any player of his team as a support to enable him to
jump for the ball (FK) or
(f) lift a player of his team (FK) or
(g) support any player of his team before the player has jumped
for the ball (FK), or
(h) stand within five meters of the touch line or prevent the
ball from being thrown five meters.
(16) (EV) A player jumping for the ball must do so with either both
hands or his inside arm to catch or deflect the ball. When a player
plays the ball with both hands above his head, he is allowed to use
either hand. (FK)
Amend note (xi) page 192 to read:
23B(15)(h) instead of 23B(15)(d)
Renumber Sections (18), (19), (20), (21), (22) as (17), (18), (19),
(20), (21).
-----------------------------
Page 193
Add a new Note (xiv) to read:
Note:- (xiv) Any infringement between the formation of the line-
out and its beginning shall be dealt with under the provisions of Law
26(3)(e).
Renumber Note (xiv), (xv) and (xvi) as (xv), (xvi) and (xvii)
-----------------------------
Ament the section "penalty" page 194 to read:
Penalty:- (a) For an infringement of paragraphs (1), (2), (3),
(4), (9)(c), (13), (14), (15)(e), (f), (g) or (h), (16), (17), or
(18) a free kick fifteen meters from the touch line along the line-
of-touch.
(b) For an infringement of paragraphs (15)(a), (b), (c)
or (d), (19) or (20), a penalty kick fifteen meters from the touch
line along the line-of-touch.
(c) For an infringement of paragraph (21), a penalty
kick on the offending team's offside line (as defined in Law 24 D)
opposite the place of infringement, but not less than fifteen meters
from the touch line.
-----------------------------
Law 24 - Off-Side
Delete in B Section (1)(b) page 200 the three paragraphs after the
second pica dot from " A player may leave a scrummage ... " to "plays
the ball"
Reason: Consequential amendment to Law 20(4)
-----------------------------
Amend B Section (2) second pica dot page 201 to read on the third
line:
"both feet" instead of "either foot"
Reason: To cover the scrum half who positions himself to
pass
Amend B Section (3) page 201 to read as Penalty provision:
Penalty:- Penalty kick on the off-side line.
Reason: To cancel unfair advantage to the offending team
-----------------------------
Amend C Section (1) page 203 to read as penalty provision
Penalty:- Penalty kick on the off-side line.
Reason: To cancel unfair advantage to the offending team
Amend D Section (2) page 206 by adding after (d):
If they do not, they are off-side.
Reason: Clarification
-----------------------------
Law 26 - Foul Play
Amend Section 1(d) page 214 to read:
(d) who is an outside player in a scrummage to prevent an
opponent from advancing round the scrummage.
Reason: Correction
-----------------------------
Page 224-225
Remove the indication "Under 19 Variation" in front of Law 26 Note
(xii) and Note (xiii) to indicate that the moves identified as the
"Flying Wedge" and the "Cavalry Charge" are considered as dangerous
play at all age levels of the game.
-----------------------------
Law 27 - Penalty Kick
Amend Section (2)(d) page 229 to read:
(d) The kicker's team, except the placer for a place kick, must
be behind the ball until it has been kicked. However, retiring
players of the kicker's team who are in front of the ball will
not be penalised if their failure to retire is due to the
rapidity with which the kick has been taken but they must not
stop retiring and must not enter the game until they have been
made on-side by an action of their own team as required by Law
25(1)
Reason: Simplification
-----------------------------
Amend Section 2(e) page 230
The last three lines of the second paragraph to read
taken, but they may not stop retiring and must not enter the game
until they have retired ten metres back from where the penalty kick
was awarded.
Reason: To provide a fair chance to the team which opts to
play rapidly.
-----------------------------
Delete existing Section 2(f) page 230 and insert:
The last three lines of the second paragraph to read
(f) The opposing team must not wilfully resort to any action
which may delay the taking of the penalty kick. This includes
actions such as wilfully carrying, throwing or kicking the ball
away out of reach of the kicker or interfering with him.
Reason: Consistency with Law 28.
-----------------------------
Law 28 - Free Kick
Amend Section (6) page 235 to read:
(6) The kicker's team, except the placer for a place kick, must
be behind the ball until it has been kicked. However, retiring
players of the kicker's team who are in front of the ball will
not be penalised if their failure to retire is due to the
rapidity with which the kick has been taken but they must not
stop retiring and must not enter the game until they have been
made on-side by an action of their own team as required by Law
25(1)
Reason: Simplification
-----------------------------
Amend Section 8 page 236
The last three lines of the second paragraph to read
taken, but they may not stop retiring and must not enter the game
until they have retired ten metres back from where the penalty kick
was awarded.
Reason: To provide a fair chance to the team which opts to
play rapidly.