Four key ways your rugby players can lawfully chase a kick

When a kick is delivered, your players must be onside to chase the ball. There are four key ways your players can lawfully chase a kick.

1) Behind the kicker

The player is behind the kicker when the ball is kicked.

2) Put onside

The player is in front of the kicker when the ball is kicked. The kicker or another onside player then runs past him to put him back onside.

This onside situation often occurs from a counter-attacking kick. The kicker makes sure he has someone behind him before he kicks and then holds back in case of a kick return.

3) Gets onside

The player is in front of the kicker when the ball is kicked. He then runs back to an onside position. It is more unusual to put yourself behind the kicker, but a good idea if the kick is an “up and under”.

4) Get out of the 10m zone

If a player finds himself offside, he must not move forward. Importantly, if he is within 10m of where the ball is to land, he must move away, out of the 10m zone.

This article is from Rugby Coach Weekly.