Mark (rugby)
Encyclopedia
To mark a ball in rugby union
, the player must be inside that player's twenty-two metre line. The mark is performed by a player (normally the Full Back), making a clean catch and shouting "Mark!". It is also common for the player to touch the ball on the ground to make his intentions clear to the referee and other players. Once a mark is made, the marking player may not be tackled
. The player is awarded a free-kick
at the position of the mark and the kick must be taken by the marking player. If for any reason, the player cannot take the kick within one minute, the marking team must take a scrum
(and cannot otherwise choose a scrum). A ball may be marked if it has rebounded off the posts or crossbar. A mark may not be made from a kick-off.
The normal rules of a free kick apply, except in the case of a scrum option. A scrum
from a mark should ideally be taken from the position of the mark, but must be at least five metres from touch. If the mark was made in the in-goal area, the scrum
is taken five metres from the goal line on a line running through the mark parallel to the touch line but always at least five metres from the touch line.
If a player from the opposing team charges the marking player after the call of "Mark!", then the team will be awarded a penalty kick
taken from the position of the mark, unless the infringing player was offside, in which case the penalty will be given from the offside line.
For much of rugby's history, a mark could be made anywhere on the field, but under more stringent conditions: the marking player had to have both feet on the ground at the time of calling "Mark!", the defending side were allowed to advance as far as the mark in defending against the subsequent kick, and the kick itself had to propel the ball at least as far forward as the mark (in conjunction with the second stipulation, this effectively prevented the marking side from keeping possession with a tap-kick). However, under these restrictions a goal
could be attempted. In the 1970s the mark was changed to the definition given above, except that it could be made anywhere in the defending side's half; it is no longer a requirement that the marking player have both feet on the ground.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, the player must be inside that player's twenty-two metre line. The mark is performed by a player (normally the Full Back), making a clean catch and shouting "Mark!". It is also common for the player to touch the ball on the ground to make his intentions clear to the referee and other players. Once a mark is made, the marking player may not be tackled
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
. The player is awarded a free-kick
Free kick (rugby union)
A free kick in rugby union is usually awarded to a team for a technical offence committed by the opposing side. Free kicks are awarded for technical offences such as playing too many players in a line-out or time wasting at a scrum. A free kick is also awarded for making a mark.Once awarded a...
at the position of the mark and the kick must be taken by the marking player. If for any reason, the player cannot take the kick within one minute, the marking team must take a scrum
Scrum (rugby union)
In rugby union a scrum is a means of restarting play after a minor infringement. It involves up to eight players from each team, known as the pack or forward pack, binding together in three rows and interlocking with the free opposing teams forwards. At this point the ball is fed into the gap...
(and cannot otherwise choose a scrum). A ball may be marked if it has rebounded off the posts or crossbar. A mark may not be made from a kick-off.
The normal rules of a free kick apply, except in the case of a scrum option. A scrum
Scrum (rugby)
Scrum , in the sports of rugby union and rugby league, is a way of restarting the game, either after an accidental infringement or when the ball has gone out of play...
from a mark should ideally be taken from the position of the mark, but must be at least five metres from touch. If the mark was made in the in-goal area, the scrum
Scrum (rugby)
Scrum , in the sports of rugby union and rugby league, is a way of restarting the game, either after an accidental infringement or when the ball has gone out of play...
is taken five metres from the goal line on a line running through the mark parallel to the touch line but always at least five metres from the touch line.
If a player from the opposing team charges the marking player after the call of "Mark!", then the team will be awarded a penalty kick
Penalty (rugby union)
A penalty in rugby union is the main disciplinary sanction available to the referee to penalise a team who commit deliberate infringements. The team who did not commit the infringement are given possession of the ball and they may either kick it towards touch , attempt a place kick at goal, or tap...
taken from the position of the mark, unless the infringing player was offside, in which case the penalty will be given from the offside line.
For much of rugby's history, a mark could be made anywhere on the field, but under more stringent conditions: the marking player had to have both feet on the ground at the time of calling "Mark!", the defending side were allowed to advance as far as the mark in defending against the subsequent kick, and the kick itself had to propel the ball at least as far forward as the mark (in conjunction with the second stipulation, this effectively prevented the marking side from keeping possession with a tap-kick). However, under these restrictions a goal
Goal from mark
A goal from mark is a former scoring move in rugby football. It occurred when a player "marked" the ball by making a fair catch and shouting "mark". From this position the player could not be tackled. The player then had the option of a free kick, which can be taken as a place, drop, or tap kick...
could be attempted. In the 1970s the mark was changed to the definition given above, except that it could be made anywhere in the defending side's half; it is no longer a requirement that the marking player have both feet on the ground.