Law 22: Sevens

Each team has no more than seven players in the playing area during play.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 3.1 · recall

A team may nominate and use up to five replacements.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 3.4-5 · recall

14 minutes in two halves of not more than seven minutes, plus time lost.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 5.1 · recall

A competition final may last no longer than 20 minutes, plus lost time and extra-time.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 5.1 · recall

Half-time consists of an interval not exceeding two minutes.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 5.2 · recall

After a one-minute break, periods of no more than five minutes, changing ends without an interval.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 5.1 · applied

In extra-time, the team that scores points first is immediately declared the winner.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 8.30 · recall

In-goal judges signal conversions, penalty kicks at goal and touch-in-goal; they are not needed when a TMO is used.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 6.31-37 · applied

2, 5, 7 and 10 minutes.

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

A toss is held before extra-time, which ends at the first score.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 5.1, 6.3, 8.30 · recall

Within 30 seconds of playing time from the award of the try. Sanction: kick disallowed.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 8.8c · recall

All opposing players immediately assemble close to their own 10-metre line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 8.14 · recall

In sevens, the kick at goal must be a drop-kick. Sanction: scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 8.24 · recall

After a team has scored, the same team restarts with a drop-kick from the centre of half-way.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 12.4 · recall

Sevens prefers a free-kick here.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 12.6 · applied

The non-kicking team is awarded a free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 12.9 · applied

Apart from at a kick-off or restart, sevens restarts with a 22-metre drop-out here.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 12.11 · applied

In sevens a conversion must be a drop-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 8.7 · applied

In sevens, the scoring team kicks off again.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 8, 12 · recall

30 seconds, 60 seconds and 7 minutes.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 8.8c; Sevens Law 8.8c, 5.1 · recall

In sevens a cautioned player is suspended for two minutes.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 9.29 · recall

A second yellow-card offence means the player must be sent off.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 9.29 · applied

Within 15 seconds of the assistant referee or touch judge indicating the mark of touch.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 18.12 · recall

All three must stay bound to the scrum until it ends. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 19.5 · recall

A front-row player must not intentionally kick the ball out of the tunnel or scrum towards the opponents' line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 19.23 · applied

The 50:22 applies in sevens too: the kicking team throws in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 18.8 · applied

In sevens the sanction is a free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 12.5a · applied

A sevens scrum must have three players from each team.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 19.5 · applied

2, 10 and 20 minutes.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Sevens Law 9.29; Law 9.29-30 · recall

Sevens lineouts form within 15 seconds.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law variations - Sevens, Law 18.12 · recall