Rugby term
Charge-down
Definition
A charge-down is when a player blocks an opponent's kick with their hands, arms or body just as it is kicked, and it is not penalised as a knock-on.
What a charge-down is
A charge-down happens when a defender rushes at a kicker and blocks the ball with their hands, arms or body as it is kicked. Clearance kicks, box kicks from behind a ruck, and conversions are common targets.
Why it is not a knock-on
Law 11 lists the charge-down as a case with no sanction. If a player knocks the ball forward immediately after an opponent has kicked it, play continues (Law 11). That holds even when the ball goes forward off the player's hands or arms.
The exception covers blocking the kick itself. A player who fumbles a kicked ball forward while trying to catch it later in its flight has knocked on, and the other team gets a scrum.
Which kicks you can charge
Whether a kick can be charged depends on the kick:
- conversions: yes, once the kicker moves to begin the approach (Law 8)
- kicks in open play: yes, as long as you are onside (Law 10)
- free-kicks: yes, once the kicker starts to move (Law 20)
- penalty kicks at goal: no, opponents must stand still with their hands by their sides until the ball is kicked (Law 8)
At a kick-off the receiving team must be on or behind their 10-metre line, so a kick-off cannot be charged down (Law 12).
Charge the ball, not the kicker
The charge must be at the ball. Intentionally charging, obstructing or late tackling a player who has just kicked the ball is foul play (Law 9). It is a penalty kick, and the other team can choose to take it where the ball landed instead.
What happens next
The ball is live after a charge-down, so play continues and either team can gather it. A charge-down close to the kicker's own line can lead straight to a try. If an attacker charges the ball down and it goes dead in the kicker's in-goal, play restarts with a try line drop-out (Law 12).
Common questions
What is a charge-down in rugby?
It is blocking an opponent's kick with the hands, arms or body as the ball is kicked. Play continues after it.
Is a charge-down a knock-on?
No. If a player knocks the ball forward immediately after an opponent kicks it, there is no sanction and play continues (Law 11).
Can you charge down a conversion?
Yes. Defenders must stay behind their try line until the kicker moves to begin the approach. Then they may charge or jump to stop the kick (Law 8).
Can you charge down a penalty kick at goal?
No. When a team kicks at goal from a penalty, opponents must stand still with their hands by their sides until the ball is kicked (Law 8).
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