Rugby term
Deliberate knock-on
Definition
A deliberate knock-on is when a player knocks the ball forward on purpose with the hand or arm, and it is penalised with a penalty kick rather than a scrum.
What makes a knock-on deliberate
An ordinary knock-on is an accident: the player was trying to catch or carry the ball. A deliberate knock-on is done on purpose, usually by a defender who slaps or bats a pass forward to stop it reaching an attacker (Law 11).
The law sets the test for intent. It is not a deliberate knock-on if the player knocks on while trying to catch the ball, provided there was a reasonable expectation that they could gain possession (Law 11). So a genuine attempt to catch the ball that goes wrong is an ordinary knock-on. Swatting at a pass with one hand, with no real chance of catching it, fails the test.
The sanction
A deliberate knock-on is a penalty kick to the other team, not a scrum (Law 11). Intentionally breaking any law is unfair play under Law 9, so it is treated as foul play rather than a handling error. Intentionally throwing or passing the ball forward is dealt with the same way (Law 11).
Penalty tries and cards
If the deliberate knock-on stops a try that would probably have been scored, the referee awards a penalty try. The law then says the player must be shown a yellow card or sent off (Law 8).
In other cases a card is the referee's call. Law 9 says a player who commits foul play must be cautioned, shown a yellow card or sent off, and the referee decides which fits the offence.
What the referee does and signals
The referee blows the whistle and signals a penalty kick to the non-offending team (Law 6). If the player is carded, the referee blows once to caution or send them off, and again when the penalty or penalty try is awarded (Law 6).
Knock-on or deliberate knock-on?
Two defenders race to an attacker's pass. One reaches to catch it, but the ball bounces off their hands and forward onto the ground: that is a knock-on and a scrum. The other sticks out an arm and bats the ball forward to stop the pass reaching its target: that is a deliberate knock-on and a penalty kick.
Referee signal
Common questions
What is a deliberate knock-on in rugby?
It is knocking the ball forward with the hand or arm on purpose, often to stop a pass reaching an attacker. It is penalised with a penalty kick (Law 11).
Is a deliberate knock-on a yellow card?
It can be. The sanction is a penalty kick, and the referee can also caution the player or show a card. If it stopped a probable try, the player must be shown a yellow card or sent off (Laws 8 and 9).
What is the difference between a knock-on and a deliberate knock-on?
An accidental knock-on gives the other team a scrum (Law 11). A deliberate knock-on gives them a penalty kick, and can lead to a penalty try (Law 8).
Can a deliberate knock-on lead to a penalty try?
Yes. If it stopped a try that would probably have been scored, the referee awards a penalty try, and the player must be shown a yellow card or sent off (Law 8).
Updated