Law 20: Penalty and Free-kick

The mark must be in the field of play, no closer than five metres from the try line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall

While the ball is in play, the mark is at the place of infringement (a late charge has its own options).

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall

Any lineout infringement: 15 metres from the touchline on the mark of touch.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall

Infringements in in-goal or within five metres of the try line: five metres out, in line with the place.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · applied

Any further infringement by the original offenders before the kick: the mark advances 10 metres.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · applied

From where it is awarded or anywhere behind it on a line through the mark parallel to the touchlines.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.2 · recall

When a penalty or free-kick is taken at the wrong place, it must be retaken.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.2 · applied

Offside at a phase of play: the mark is at the offending team's offside line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · applied

Subsequent infringements by the same team advance the mark 10 metres.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall

5 m, 10 m and 15 m.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.1 · recall

A team awarded a penalty may instead choose a scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.3 · recall

A penalty at a lineout may instead be a lineout or a scrum at the same mark.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.4a · recall

Any player of the non-offending team may take it, other than a free-kick awarded for a mark.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.6 · recall

The kicker must use the ball that was in play unless the referee decides it is defective.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.7 · recall

The kicker may punt, drop-kick or place-kick, other than place-kicking for touch.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.8 · recall

The kicker may kick the ball in any direction.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.9 · recall

Other than the placer at a place-kick, the kicker's team must remain behind the ball.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.10 · recall

The ball must be kicked a visible distance and clearly leave the hands; then the kicker may play it again.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.11 · applied

A visible kick, then the kicker may play on.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.11 · recall

From a penalty kicked to touch, the kicking team throws in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.8; 18.8c · recall

The opposing team must immediately retreat 10 metres towards their own try line, or to it if closer.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.12 · recall

They are not sanctioned, but may not take part until 10 m back or until a team-mate 10 m back passes them.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.14 · applied

Delaying or obstructing, including throwing the ball away: a second penalty 10 metres in front of the mark.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.15 · applied

As soon as the kicker initiates movement to kick, they may charge and try to stop the free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.16 · recall

The kick is disallowed; play restarts with a scrum at the mark with the opposing team throwing in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.17 · applied

Opposing players must keep retreating the necessary distance and may not take part until they have.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.13 · applied

Charging is allowed at a free-kick; at a penalty, opponents retreat 10 metres and stand off.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.12, 20.16 · recall

Blocking the kicker costs another ten metres.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.15 · applied

A fair charge that stops the free-kick gives the chargers the scrum feed.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.16-17 · recall

They may take part once 10 metres back or passed by a team-mate who was 10 metres back.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 20.14 · recall