Rugby · Laws of the Game
Law 20: Penalty and Free-kick
3 parts · 3 tests · 30 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
Law 20 of the World Rugby Laws 2026 sets out where penalties and free-kicks are taken and what both teams may do. The mark is at the place of the infringement while the ball is in play, but always in the field of play and no closer than five metres to the try line. Infringements in in-goal or within five metres of the line move out to five metres, lineout infringements go 15 metres in from the touchline on the mark of touch, and offside at a phase of play puts the mark on the offending team's offside line. Any further offence by the same team before the kick advances the mark 10 metres.
The kick may be taken at the mark or anywhere behind it on a line parallel to the touchlines; taken from the wrong place, it is retaken. Any player of the non-offending team may take it, except a free-kick for a mark, and a team may choose a scrum instead of a penalty. The kicker may punt, drop-kick or place-kick, but may not place-kick for touch. From a penalty kicked to touch, the kicking team throws in.
The opposing team must retreat 10 metres towards its own try line. At a free-kick, opponents may charge as soon as the kicker moves to kick, and a charge that stops it gives them a scrum. The facts below cover the mark, the options and the opponents' duties.
20.201Where a Penalty or Free-kick Is Taken
The mark: in play, in the lineout, near the try line, offside and second offences.
Test 1Where a penalty or free-kick is takenTake a test
The mark must be in the field of play, no closer than five metres from the try line.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall
While the ball is in play, the mark is at the place of infringement (a late charge has its own options).
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall
Any lineout infringement: 15 metres from the touchline on the mark of touch.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall
Infringements in in-goal or within five metres of the try line: five metres out, in line with the place.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · applied
Any further infringement by the original offenders before the kick: the mark advances 10 metres.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · applied
From where it is awarded or anywhere behind it on a line through the mark parallel to the touchlines.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.2 · recall
When a penalty or free-kick is taken at the wrong place, it must be retaken.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.2 · applied
Offside at a phase of play: the mark is at the offending team's offside line.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · applied
Subsequent infringements by the same team advance the mark 10 metres.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall
5 m, 10 m and 15 m.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall
20.202Options and Taking the Kick
Scrum and lineout options, who kicks, the ball, kinds of kick and a visible distance.
Test 1Options and taking the kickTake a test
A team awarded a penalty may instead choose a scrum.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.3 · recall
A penalty at a lineout may instead be a lineout or a scrum at the same mark.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.4a · recall
Any player of the non-offending team may take it, other than a free-kick awarded for a mark.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.6 · recall
The kicker must use the ball that was in play unless the referee decides it is defective.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.7 · recall
The kicker may punt, drop-kick or place-kick, other than place-kicking for touch.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.8 · recall
The kicker may kick the ball in any direction.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.9 · recall
Other than the placer at a place-kick, the kicker's team must remain behind the ball.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.10 · recall
The ball must be kicked a visible distance and clearly leave the hands; then the kicker may play it again.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.11 · applied
A visible kick, then the kicker may play on.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.11 · recall
From a penalty kicked to touch, the kicking team throws in.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.8; 18.8c · recall
20.203The Opposing Team
Retreating ten metres, quick taps, delaying the kick and charging a free-kick.
Test 1The opposing teamTake a test
The opposing team must immediately retreat 10 metres towards their own try line, or to it if closer.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.12 · recall
They are not sanctioned, but may not take part until 10 m back or until a team-mate 10 m back passes them.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.14 · applied
Delaying or obstructing, including throwing the ball away: a second penalty 10 metres in front of the mark.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.15 · applied
As soon as the kicker initiates movement to kick, they may charge and try to stop the free-kick.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.16 · recall
The kick is disallowed; play restarts with a scrum at the mark with the opposing team throwing in.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.17 · applied
Opposing players must keep retreating the necessary distance and may not take part until they have.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.13 · applied
Charging is allowed at a free-kick; at a penalty, opponents retreat 10 metres and stand off.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.12, 20.16 · recall
Blocking the kicker costs another ten metres.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.15 · applied
A fair charge that stops the free-kick gives the chargers the scrum feed.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.16-17 · recall
They may take part once 10 metres back or passed by a team-mate who was 10 metres back.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.14 · recall
Questions people ask
- Where is a rugby penalty taken from?
- From the place of the infringement, in the field of play and no closer than five metres to the try line, or anywhere behind the mark on a line parallel to the touchlines.
- Can a team choose a scrum instead of a penalty kick?
- Yes. A team awarded a penalty may choose a scrum instead, and a penalty at a lineout may also be taken as a lineout or a scrum at the same mark.
- Can you place-kick a penalty to touch?
- No. The kicker may punt, drop-kick or place-kick, but place-kicking for touch is not allowed.
- How far back must the opposition go at a penalty?
- Ten metres towards their own try line, or to the try line if it is closer. A player not yet back may not take part until 10 metres back or passed by a team-mate who was.
- What happens if a team delays a penalty kick?
- Delaying or obstructing, including throwing the ball away, gives a second penalty 10 metres in front of the mark.
- Can opponents charge a free-kick?
- Yes, as soon as the kicker initiates movement to kick. If they stop the kick, it is disallowed and play restarts with a scrum to them at the mark.
Sources
World Rugby Laws of the Game, Rugby Union 2026, Law 20 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the law book, not reproduced)
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.18
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.22
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.112
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.142
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.152
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.31
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.4a1
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.61
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.71
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.81
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.91
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.101
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.8; 18.8c1
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.121
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.161
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.171
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.131
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.12, 20.161
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.16-171