# Law 17: Mark (World Rugby Laws of the Game)

Rugby · Law 17: Mark · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/rugby/laws/law-17-mark/)

Claiming a mark in your own 22 or in-goal, and the free-kick that follows.

## 17.171 Claiming a Mark

Where the catcher stands, where the ball comes from, the call and when no mark is possible.

### Test 1: Claiming a 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- The player must simultaneously call "mark". (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.1c)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- When a mark is called correctly, the referee stops the game and awards a free-kick. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.3)
- Opponent's kick, plane of the 22, direct catch, call at the same time. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.1)
- 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)

## 17.172 The Free-kick after a Mark

Who takes it, the one-minute rule and where it is taken.

### Test 1: The free-kick after a mark

- The player who claimed the mark takes the free-kick, in accordance with Law 20. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.5)
- 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)
- 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)
- The free-kick is taken in accordance with Law 20. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.5)
- The game stops at once for the free-kick. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.3)
- Too close to the line, so it moves out to five metres. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.7)
- Restart kicks after a score are excluded, like kick-offs. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.4)
- 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)
- The marker takes the kick, or a team-mate after a minute. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.3-5)
- 5 m, 12 m and 22 m. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 17.7)

Sources: World Rugby Laws of the Game, Rugby Union 2026, Law 17 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the law book, not reproduced)

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