Rugby term
Offside
Definition
Being in a position where a player is not permitted to play the ball, interfere with play, or advance.
Offside lines vary by phase of play.
Related laws
Law 10Offside and Onside in Open PlayA player is offside if they are in front of the ball when it was last played by a teammate. An offside player must not interfere with play.Law 15RuckA ruck forms when at least one player from each team is in contact over the ball on the ground. Players must use their feet to move the ball, not their hands.Law 16MaulA maul forms when the ball carrier is held by opponents while at least one teammate also binds on. Unlike a ruck, the ball is carried off the ground. The maul must keep moving or the referee calls "use it".Law 18Touch, Quick Throw-in and LineoutCovers when the ball is in touch, how to take a quick throw-in, and all lineout rules including formation, throw-in, offside, and lifting.Law 19ScrumA scrum is a set piece where 8 forwards from each team bind together and contest for the ball. It is used to restart play after minor infringements. The engagement sequence is: crouch, bind, set.
Related terms
BindingBinding means gripping a team-mate or an opponent firmly with the arm so that players stay connected, and it is required at scrums and rucks.BreakdownThe breakdown is the contest for the ball straight after a tackle, covering the tackle itself and any ruck that forms over the ball on the ground.CrouchThe first call in the scrum engagement sequence ("Crouch, Bind, Set").EngagementThe coming together of the two front rows at a scrum, controlled by the referee using the sequence "Crouch, Bind, Set."FlanksThe sides of a ruck, maul, or scrum.Front rowThe three players at the front of a scrum: the loosehead prop, hooker, and tighthead prop.GateThe everyday name for how players must join a tackle, ruck or maul: from the direction of their own try line, not from the side.Hindmost footThe foot nearest a team's own try line of its last player in a maul or scrum, used to set the offside line.