Law 17: Mark

A means of stopping play within a player's own 22 or in-goal by directly catching an opponent's kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17, Principle · recall

At least one foot on or behind their own 22-metre line when catching, or when landing after catching in the air.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.1a · recall

The ball must come directly from an opponent's kick, before touching the ground or another player.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.1b · recall

The player must simultaneously call "mark".

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.1c · recall

A mark may be claimed even if the ball hits a goal post or crossbar before being caught.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.2 · applied

A mark may not be claimed from a kick-off or a restart kick after a score.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.4 · recall

The ball must have reached the plane of the 22-metre line directly from the opponent's kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.1b · recall

When a mark is called correctly, the referee stops the game and awards a free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.3 · applied

Opponent's kick, plane of the 22, direct catch, call at the same time.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.1 · recall

Marks are claimed on or behind the 22; in-goal marks are taken on the 5-metre line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.1, 17.7 · recall

The player who claimed the mark takes the free-kick, in accordance with Law 20.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.5 · recall

If the player cannot take the free-kick within one minute, a team-mate may take it.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.6 · applied

Within the 22, the free-kick is at the place of the mark (at least 5 m from the try line).

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.7 · applied

The free-kick is taken in accordance with Law 20.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.5 · recall

The game stops at once for the free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.3 · recall

Too close to the line, so it moves out to five metres.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.7 · applied

Restart kicks after a score are excluded, like kick-offs.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.4 · recall

A mark in in-goal gives a free-kick on the five-metre line in line with the place of the mark.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.7 · applied

The marker takes the kick, or a team-mate after a minute.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.3-5 · recall

5 m, 12 m and 22 m.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.7 · recall