Rugby · Laws of the Game
Law 21: In-goal
3 parts · 3 tests · 30 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
In-goal is the area behind the try line where tries are scored and where defenders can make the ball dead. Law 21 explains what grounding the ball means, what happens to tackled players arriving at the line, and how play restarts when the ball ends up dead in in-goal.
A player grounds the ball either by holding it and touching the ground with it, or by pressing down on it with the hands, arms or the front of the body from waist to neck. Picking the ball up is not grounding, so a player may lift it and press it down elsewhere in in-goal nearer the posts. An attacker who grounds the ball in in-goal scores a try; a defender who does the same makes a touch down. A tackled player whose momentum carries them over the line can still score, and one who is near the line may reach out and ground the ball, provided it is done immediately. Defenders may knock the ball backwards or pull it from possession, but must not kick it.
When the attackers take the ball into in-goal and it becomes dead, play restarts with a try line drop-out, and the same restart follows when an attacker is held up. The facts below cover grounding on the lines, held-up balls and doubtful groundings, kicks that go dead through in-goal, catches from beyond the lines, and the corner flag post.
21.211Grounding and Scoring
How the ball is grounded, tries and touch downs, and grounding on the lines.
Test 1Grounding and scoringTake a test
Grounding: holding it and touching the ground with it, or pressing down with hands, arms or the front of the body from waist to neck.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.1 · recall
Picking up is not grounding; a player may pick up the ball and ground it elsewhere in in-goal.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.2 · recall
An attacking player grounding the ball in in-goal scores a try.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.3 · recall
A defending player grounding the ball in in-goal makes a touch down.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.6 · recall
The ball is dead; as the attackers took it into in-goal, play restarts with a try line drop-out.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.4 · applied
Contact with the touchline at the moment of grounding puts the ball in touch in the field of play: lineout to the opposition.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.5 · applied
Only hands, arms or the chest side of the body count.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.1b · recall
Chest on the ball is enough.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.1b · applied
Pick up, carry, then press down nearer the posts.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.2-3 · recall
Defender's grounding: touch down.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.6 · recall
21.212Near the Line and Held Up
Momentum, reaching out, players off the field, defenders' options, held up and doubt.
Test 1Near the line and held upTake a test
If a tackled player's momentum carries them into in-goal, they can score a try or make a touch down.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.7 · applied
A tackled player near the line may reach out and ground the ball provided it is done immediately.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.8 · recall
Reaching out must be immediate. Sanction: penalty.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.8 · applied
A player off the playing area can score by grounding a ball they are not holding.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.9 · applied
Defenders may knock the ball backwards or pull it from possession, but not kick it.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.10 · recall
Doubt about who first grounded the ball: a five-metre scrum in line with the place, attacking team throws in.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.17 · applied
Same restart as any attacker held up in in-goal.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.16 · applied
Defenders must not kick or attempt to kick the ball as a tackled player reaches out. Sanction: penalty.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.10 · applied
Attackers took it in, so the restart is a try line drop-out.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.16; 12.12a · recall
The attacking team throws in at the five-metre scrum.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.17 · recall
21.213Kicked Dead, Defenders and the Corner Post
Kicks dead through in-goal, defenders in in-goal, catches from beyond the lines, and the corner flag post.
Test 1Kicked dead, defenders and the corner postTake a test
The defending team chooses a 22-metre drop-out or a scrum at the place of the kick.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.11 · applied
An unsuccessful kick at goal or dropped goal is the exception: the defence restarts with a 22-metre drop-out.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.11 · applied
If any part of a defending player is in in-goal (and not in touch or over the dead-ball line), they are in in-goal.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.12 · applied
A player in in-goal catching a ball still in the field of play has taken the ball into in-goal.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.13 · applied
A player on or beyond the dead-ball line, or in touch-in-goal, catching a ball in in-goal makes it dead.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.14 · applied
Touching the post alone lets play continue, unless the ball is grounded against the post.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.15 · recall
If the ball or ball-carrier touches the corner flag post without being otherwise in touch-in-goal, play continues.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.15 · applied
Touching the corner post does not put the player in touch-in-goal; the grounding in in-goal stands.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.15 · applied
Team B picks the scrum option this time.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.11 · recall
Missed kicks at goal are the exception: always a 22-metre drop-out.
Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.11 · recall
Questions people ask
- What counts as grounding the ball in rugby?
- Either holding the ball and touching the ground with it, or pressing down on it with the hands, arms or the front of the body from waist to neck. Simply picking the ball up does not count.
- What is the difference between a try and a touch down?
- Both are groundings in in-goal. When an attacking player grounds the ball it is a try; when a defending player grounds it, it is a touch down.
- Can a tackled player reach out over the try line to score?
- Yes, a tackled player near the line may reach out and ground the ball, but only if it is done immediately. A delayed reach is penalised, and defenders must not kick or try to kick the ball as the player reaches out.
- What happens if the ball is held up over the try line?
- When the attackers carried the ball into in-goal and it is held up, the ball is dead and play restarts with a try line drop-out.
- What if the referee cannot tell who grounded the ball first?
- If there is doubt about which team first grounded the ball, play restarts with a five-metre scrum in line with where it happened, and the attacking team throws in.
- Is it a try if the player touches the touchline while grounding the ball?
- No. Contact with the touchline at the moment of grounding puts the ball in touch in the field of play, and the opposition gets the lineout.
- Does hitting the corner flag post put a player in touch?
- No. If the ball or ball-carrier touches the corner flag post without being otherwise in touch-in-goal, play continues and a grounding in in-goal stands, unless the ball is grounded against the post itself.
- What restart follows a kick that goes dead through in-goal?
- The defending team chooses between a 22-metre drop-out and a scrum at the place of the kick. After an unsuccessful kick at goal or dropped goal, the restart is always a 22-metre drop-out.
Sources
World Rugby Laws of the Game, Rugby Union 2026, Law 21 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the law book, not reproduced)
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.114
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.153
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.62
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.1b2
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.82
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.102
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.172
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.11
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.21
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.31
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.41
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.51
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.2-31
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.71
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.91
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.161
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.16; 12.12a1
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.121
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.131
- World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.141