In rugby, the offside rule prohibits players from gaining an advantage from being too far forward. The specifics of the rule differ between the two major codes of rugby, rugby union and rugby league. In rugby union, the offside laws are complex, but the basic principle is simple: a player may not derive any advantage from being in front of the ball. Here are some examples of when a player is considered offside in rugby union:
- When the ball is carried by a single player in open play, any other player on the same team who is in front of the ball carrier is in an offside position.
- When the ball is in a ruck, maul, scrum, or line-out, any player who is in front of the hindmost foot of the hindmost player of the same side in the ruck/maul/scrum/lineout is in an offside position.
An attacking player is offside if he is in front of the ball. If he is in front of a ball which is then kicked, he can be put onside if the kicker subsequently moves ahead of him before the ball is caught. If not, he must stand 10 meters away from the player who catches the ball (as if he were the kicker) .
In a tackle or ruck situation, offside lines are created at a tackle when at least one player is on their feet and over the ball, which is on the ground. Each teams offside line runs parallel to the goal line through the hindmost point of any player in the tackle or on their feet over the ball. If a player is offside, they must immediately move behind their offside line or be penalized.
A player is accidentally offside if the player cannot avoid being touched by the ball or by a teammate who is carrying the ball. Only if the offending team gains an advantage from the accidental offside will a scrum be awarded to the non-offending team.
