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Rugby · Laws of the Game

Law 11: Knock Forward or Throw Forward

2 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 27 October 2026 · markdown

What a knock forward and a throw forward are, their sanctions, and the charge-down and rip exceptions.

11.111Knock Forward

The definition, the sanction, going into touch, intentional knocks and tacklers.

Test 1Knock forwardTake a test

  1. Possession lost forwards, or the ball hit forward by hand or arm, touching the ground or a player before the player can catch it.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Definitions · recall

  2. A knock forward may occur anywhere in the playing area.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.1 · recall

  3. Sanction: scrum.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.1 · recall

  4. If the ball goes into touch, the non-offending team may opt for a quick throw or lineout instead of the scrum.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.1 · recall

  5. A player must not intentionally knock the ball forward with hand or arm. Sanction: penalty.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.3 · applied

  6. It is not intentional if the player was trying to catch the ball with a reasonable expectation of gaining it.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.4 · applied

  7. It is a knock forward when a player, tackling or attempting to tackle, contacts the ball and it goes forward.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.2 · applied

  8. A knock forward: the ball went forward off the hands and hit the ground. Sanction: scrum.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.1 · applied

  9. The ball must touch the ground or another player before the player can catch it.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.1 · recall

  10. None, scrum, penalty.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.1, 11.3, 11.5 · recall

11.112Charge Downs, Rips and Throw Forward

No-sanction cases, the throw forward and its sanctions.

Test 1Charge downs, rips and throw forwardTake a test

  1. No sanction when a player knocks the ball forward immediately after an opponent has kicked it.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.5a · applied

  2. No sanction if the ball goes forward from the original ball-carrier's hand or arm.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.5b · applied

  3. A throw forward is when a player throws or passes the ball forward, i.e. the arms of the passer move forward.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Definitions · recall

  4. Accidental throws forward lead to a scrum.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.6 · recall

  5. Passing forward on purpose is a penalty offence.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.7 · applied

  6. The definitions note it was previously called a knock-on.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Definitions · recall

  7. The test is the movement of the passer's arms, not where the ball ends up.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Definitions · applied

  8. Blocking a kick is a charge down, so play goes on.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.5a · applied

  9. There is no sanction for a charge down.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.5a · recall

  10. Ripped forward from the carrier's grip: no knock forward.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.5b · recall

Sources

World Rugby Laws of the Game, Rugby Union 2026, Law 11 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the law book, not reproduced)

  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.15
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Definitions4
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.5a3
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.5b2
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.31
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.41
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.21
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.1, 11.3, 11.51
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.61
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 11.71