Drop Out 22

[scarletman]

:wales:
During the recent Scarlets v Munster RaboPro12 game, Scarlets were awarded a 22 Drop Out .. The ball was passed to the Scrum Half who took a quick drop out to the winger. As the winger gathered the ball, he was tackled by a Munster Player who, when the Drop Out was taken, was inside the 22 Goal Side of the kicker ...

The Referee waved play on !

In the back of my mind, I have a feeling he may have been offside when the kick was taken ?

 

[ChrisR]

Nope. Back of your mind should not be in play.

Players of the non-kicking team on the "wrong" side of the 22 are not offside and are not subject to penalty unless they interfere with the kick.

 

[scarletman]

Thanks for that, but at what point then does "the kick" end... when it leaves the boot, when it touches the ground, when it's played ?

My question being, at what point can the opposition "legally play the ball/player ?

 

[Davet]

When the ball has left the 22.

Opponent cannot prevent it crossing the 22, but if the kick is taken quickly they are not penalised for being inside the 22.

Kicker kicks, opponent inside 22 now leaves the 22, tracks the ball and tackles the kicker's team mate who has done the same thing.

No problem - play on.

 

[scarletman]

Thanks Davet...

Now clear !:biggrin:

 

[L'irlandais]

Hello,
Does anybody have a Law reference for that one?
13.16 speaks of the kicker’s team, not quite sure which refence to apply for opposing team.

13.16 The kicker’s team (b)
However, if the kick is taken so quickly that players of the kicker’s team who are retiring are still in front of the ball, they will not be penalised. They must not stop retiring until they have been made onside by an action of a team-mate. They must not take part in the game until they have been made onside in this way.
Sanction: Scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line. The opposing team throws in the ball.

 

[OB..]

Hello,
Does anybody have a Law reference for that one?
13.16 speaks of the kicker’s team, not quite sure which refence to apply for opposing team.

[LAWS]13.17 (b) If an opponent is on the wrong side of the 22-metre line and delays or obstructs the drop-out, the player is guilty of misconduct.[/LAWS]

It follows that if he does not interfere, he is OK.