What Is Not Allowed in Rugby? Rules You Can't Break on the Field
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Ever watched a rugby match and wondered why the referee blew the whistle so hard? Or saw a player get sent off and thought, Wait, what did they even do? Rugby isn’t just about brute strength and speed-it’s a game with strict, non-negotiable rules. Break them, and you’re penalized, sent to the sin bin, or worse. Knowing what’s not allowed in rugby isn’t just for fans-it’s essential for players, coaches, and anyone who wants to understand why the game flows the way it does.
Illegal Tackles Are the Biggest No-No
Tackling is the heart of rugby. But not every tackle is legal. The rules are clear: you cannot tackle above the shoulders. That means no head-first tackles, no shoulder charges to the neck or head, and no lifting a player off the ground and dropping them headfirst. These aren’t just penalties-they’re safety rules backed by years of injury data. World Rugby banned high tackles (above the armpits) in 2017 after studies showed a 30% drop in concussions when enforced. If you hit a player’s head or neck, even accidentally, you’re looking at a penalty, a yellow card, or a red card depending on severity.
Also, no tackles from behind unless the player has the ball. A blindside tackle on a player who’s not in possession? That’s a penalty. And no wrapping your arms around the neck or throat. Even if you think you’re being gentle, it’s still illegal. Players have been suspended for months over tackles that looked "close"-but weren’t.
Offside Lines Are Sacred
Offside isn’t just a rule-it’s the glue that keeps rugby structured. In open play, any player not behind the ball is offside. That means if you’re ahead of the kicker or the last player to touch the ball, you can’t join the play. Step forward to intercept a pass? Penalty. Run ahead to catch a grubber kick? Penalty. Even standing in front of a ruck or maul to block an opponent? That’s offside too.
At the ruck, players must come in from behind the hindmost foot of the last player. Jumping over or stepping on someone’s back to get to the ball? That’s a penalty. Same at the maul-no pulling players out or collapsing it. The offside line moves with the ball. If you don’t respect it, you’re not just breaking a rule-you’re breaking the flow of the game.
Knock-Ons and Forward Passes Are Automatic Penalties
It’s simple: the ball can only go backward or sideways. Forward passes-whether intentional or not-are illegal. If you fumble the ball forward and it hits the ground, that’s a knock-on. The referee blows the whistle, and the other team gets a scrum. No exceptions. Even if you meant to pass sideways and your arm twisted, it’s still a knock-on if the ball moves forward.
Players often try to "save" a forward pass by diving to catch it, but that doesn’t make it legal. The ball’s direction matters, not the player’s intent. That’s why elite teams train for months on hand-offs and passing angles. One bad pass can cost a try.
No Obstruction or Blocking
Rugby isn’t American football. You can’t block for your teammate. That means no running in front of a defender to shield your ball carrier. No setting a screen. No pushing or pulling opponents away from the ball. Even if you’re trying to help, if you’re not the one with the ball and you interfere with an opponent’s path to tackle, it’s obstruction.
Referees call this "off-the-ball" infringement. It’s often missed by casual viewers, but it’s one of the most common penalties at the professional level. Teams that rely on illegal blocks lose discipline-and possession. The game rewards clean, direct play. If you want to help, get in position legally. Don’t interfere.
Don’t Touch the Ball in a Ruck or Maul
Once a ruck forms-when at least one player from each team is on their feet over the ball on the ground-only the players in the ruck can touch the ball. Anyone else who reaches in with their hands? Penalty. Same with a maul: once it’s formed, the ball must move through the team, not be grabbed by someone outside the group.
This rule exists to keep the game flowing. If players could just dive in and grab the ball anytime, rucks would turn into scrum-halves playing tug-of-war. Instead, the ball has to be released cleanly, and the team in possession must use their feet to move it backward. It’s messy, it’s physical, but it’s fair.
No Dangerous Play in the Air
Jumping for a high ball? Great. But if you make contact with an opponent while they’re in the air, you’re breaking the rules. No charges, no shoulder barges, no pushing them off their line. Players are vulnerable mid-air. World Rugby introduced the "high tackle in the air" rule in 2019 after several serious injuries. If you jump for a bomb and make contact with the other jumper’s head or neck, you’re looking at a red card.
Even if you’re going for the ball and your foot clips their head? Still a penalty. The rule protects players who are committed to the jump. There’s no "accidental" exception here.
Don’t Delay the Game
Rugby isn’t soccer. You can’t waste time by holding onto the ball, lying on it, or pretending to be injured. If you’re tackled and you don’t release the ball immediately, you’re penalized. If you take too long to get up from a ruck or delay the restart after a penalty, the referee will warn you-and then penalize you.
Teams that try to stall to protect a lead often get punished. Referees are trained to spot time-wasting. A single delay can lead to a penalty try if it stops a clear scoring opportunity. The game rewards pace and continuous play.
Don’t Use the Ball as a Weapon
Throwing the ball at an opponent’s face? That’s a red card offense. Kicking the ball at a player’s head during a kick-off? Penalty. Even if you’re angry or frustrated, using the ball to hit someone is unsportsmanlike conduct-and it’s banned.
Same goes for spitting, swearing at officials, or making aggressive gestures. Rugby has a code of honor. Players are expected to play hard, but with respect. The game has no tolerance for violence outside the tackle.
What Happens When You Break the Rules?
Penalties aren’t just punishments-they’re teaching moments. A minor infringement gets you a free kick or a scrum. A dangerous tackle? Yellow card: ten minutes in the sin bin. Repeat offense or serious foul play? Red card: you’re out for the rest of the match.
At the professional level, video referees review every major incident. A tackle that looked legal on TV might get upgraded to a red card after slow-motion review. Players have lost contracts over one bad tackle. The sport’s governing body takes safety seriously.
Even amateur leagues follow these rules. If you play in a local club and keep making illegal tackles, you’ll get suspended. No one wants a player who puts others at risk.
Why These Rules Matter
These aren’t just arbitrary rules. They’re based on decades of medical research, player feedback, and game evolution. Rugby used to be much more dangerous. In the 1990s, head injuries were common. Now, thanks to strict rules on high tackles, rucks, and mauls, the injury rate has dropped by nearly 40% in the last decade.
The rules keep the game exciting without turning it into a brawl. They ensure that skill, speed, and teamwork win-not just size and aggression. When you play within the rules, you protect your teammates, your opponents, and yourself.
What You Can Do Instead
Instead of illegal tackles, learn proper form: low, wrapped arms, driving through the hips. Instead of forward passes, practice off-the-shoulder hand-offs. Instead of blocking, learn positioning and support running lines. The game rewards intelligence as much as power.
Watch how elite teams like New Zealand’s All Blacks or South Africa’s Springboks play. They don’t rely on rough play. They rely on timing, precision, and discipline. That’s what makes them champions.
Can you use your hands in a ruck?
No. Once a ruck forms, only players who are on their feet and bound to the ruck can use their hands. Anyone else reaching in to grab the ball gets penalized. The ball must be moved with the feet or passed out cleanly by the player at the back of the ruck.
Is a shoulder charge legal in rugby?
No. A shoulder charge-using your shoulder to hit an opponent without wrapping your arms-is illegal and considered dangerous play. It’s penalized as a high tackle, even if it doesn’t hit the head. Referees treat it as a red-card offense if it’s forceful or targets the neck or upper body.
What’s the penalty for a forward pass?
The penalty for a forward pass is a scrum awarded to the opposing team. It doesn’t matter if the pass was intentional or accidental. The direction of the ball is what counts. If the ball travels forward from the passer’s hand, it’s a knock-on or forward pass-either way, the other team gets the scrum.
Can you tackle someone without the ball?
No. Tackling a player who doesn’t have the ball is illegal. You can only tackle someone who is in possession, or who has just passed the ball and is still involved in the play. Tackling a player who’s just released the ball or is running support without the ball is considered obstruction and results in a penalty.
Are you allowed to kick the ball forward?
Yes-but only if you’re the one who last touched the ball. You can kick the ball forward during open play, but you can’t recover it unless it’s touched by an opponent first. If you kick it forward and you or a teammate picks it up before an opponent does, it’s a knock-on and the other team gets a scrum.
Final Thought: Play Smart, Not Hard
Rugby is tough. But the best players aren’t the ones who hit the hardest-they’re the ones who play smart. Know the rules. Respect the boundaries. Play within the structure. That’s how you win games, stay on the field, and keep everyone safe.
