In rugby league, a 40/20 is a tactical kick that aims to bounce the ball into touch within the oppositions 20-meter area. The rules for a 40/20 kick are:
- The kicker must be behind the attacking teams own 40-meter line.
- The ball must hit the ground before it goes over the sideline.
- If the ball bounces in the field of play and goes into touch inside the opponents 20-meter area, the attacking team regains possession with a scrum.
A successful 40/20 kick gains valuable field position, advancing the ball forty meters down the field and offering a fresh attacking set. The 40/20 rule was introduced by the NRL in Australia in 2020 and the Super League in 2021 to further reward accurate kicking in general play.
