Law 12: Kick-off and Restart Kicks

All kick-offs and restart kicks are drop-kicks.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.1 · recall

Kick-offs are taken on or behind the centre of the half-way line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.2 · recall

The opponents of the team who kicked off the match start the second half.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.3 · recall

After a score, the opponents of the scoring team restart from the centre of half-way.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.4 · recall

The ball must reach the 10-metre line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.6 · recall

If the ball reaches the 10-metre line and is then blown back, play continues.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.7 · applied

The non-kicking team chooses: retake, scrum, lineout or quick throw.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.8 · applied

Opposition players must be on or behind the 10-metre line when the ball is kicked. Sanction: retake.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.5b · applied

The team that conceded restarts.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.4, 12.6 · recall

If a defender delays, the kick is accepted and play restarts with a try line drop-out.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.9 · recall

A failed penalty goal or dropped goal made dead in in-goal by the defence: 22-metre drop-out.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.11a · applied

Same restart as for a missed penalty goal.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.11a · applied

The defending team can choose a scrum at the place of the kick instead of the 22-metre drop-out.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.11b · applied

Ball carried or played into in-goal by an attacker, no score, ball dead: try line drop-out.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.12a · applied

If a defender does not make the ball dead immediately, the kick is accepted and a try line drop-out follows.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.12b · applied

A charge down by an attacker going dead through in-goal: try line drop-out.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.12d · applied

On or behind the 22-metre line; its sanction line is the 22-metre line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13 · recall

An attacking player knocking forward in the opponents' in-goal leads to a try line drop-out.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.12c · applied

5 m, 22 m and 50 m.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.2, 12.13 · recall

The 2026 book uses the try line drop-out for this, not a five-metre scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.12a · recall

A drop-out must be taken without delay. Sanction: free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13b · applied

A drop-out taken from the wrong location: scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13a · applied

The non-kicking team may have it retaken or take a scrum; advantage may apply.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13c, 12.17 · applied

Options: retake, scrum on the sanction line in line with the kick, lineout or quick throw.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13d · applied

An opponent must not advance in front of the sanction line before the kick. Sanction: free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.14 · applied

An opponent in front of the sanction line must not delay or obstruct the drop-out. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.15 · applied

Once over the line, the wind does not undo it.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.16 · applied

A try line drop-out is taken on or behind the try line and its sanction line is the five-metre line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13 · applied

Scrum, free-kick, penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13-15 · recall

Team-mates in front of the ball when it is kicked may be sanctioned with a scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13, 12.19 · recall