# Law 12: Kick-off and Restart Kicks (World Rugby Laws of the Game)

Rugby · Law 12: Kick-off and Restart Kicks · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/rugby/laws/law-12-kick-off-and-restart-kicks/)

Kick-offs, restarts after a score, 22-metre and try line drop-outs, and how a drop-out is taken.

## 12.121 Kick-offs

Kick-offs and restarts after a score: place, distance, positions and kicks into touch or in-goal.

### Test 1: Kick-offs

- All kick-offs and restart kicks are drop-kicks. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.1)
- Kick-offs are taken on or behind the centre of the half-way line. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.2)
- The opponents of the team who kicked off the match start the second half. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.3)
- After a score, the opponents of the scoring team restart from the centre of half-way. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.4)
- The ball must reach the 10-metre line. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.6)
- If the ball reaches the 10-metre line and is then blown back, play continues. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.7)
- The non-kicking team chooses: retake, scrum, lineout or quick throw. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.8)
- 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)
- The team that conceded restarts. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.4, 12.6)
- 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)

## 12.122 When a Drop-out Is Taken

Which events lead to a 22-metre drop-out and which to a try line drop-out.

### Test 1: When a drop-out is taken

- 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)
- Same restart as for a missed penalty goal. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.11a)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- A charge down by an attacker going dead through in-goal: try line drop-out. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.12d)
- On or behind the 22-metre line; its sanction line is the 22-metre line. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13)
- 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)
- 5 m, 22 m and 50 m. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.2, 12.13)
- The 2026 book uses the try line drop-out for this, not a five-metre scrum. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.12a)

## 12.123 Taking a Drop-out

Place, delay, the sanction line, kicks into touch and the opponents' duties.

### Test 1: Taking a drop-out

- A drop-out must be taken without delay. Sanction: free-kick. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13b)
- A drop-out taken from the wrong location: scrum. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13a)
- 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)
- Options: retake, scrum on the sanction line in line with the kick, lineout or quick throw. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13d)
- 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)
- 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)
- Once over the line, the wind does not undo it. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.16)
- 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)
- Scrum, free-kick, penalty. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 12.13-15)
- 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)

Sources: World Rugby Laws of the Game, Rugby Union 2026, Law 12 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the law book, not reproduced)

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