ScopeWhich rules this page applies
This explanation uses the World Rugby Laws of the Game 2026, July edition, including Laws 7, 9, 13, 14 and 15, the standard sevens variations, and World Rugby Clarification 2-2026 dated 1 June 2026. World Rugby says its July amendments apply to new competitions or events starting after 1 July 2026; a competition already in progress must obtain its implementation date from the relevant union.
The scope is World Rugby rugby sevens, not rugby league, touch, tag or an unauthorised local adaptation. National unions and organisers may also appoint age-grade, community, Game On or competition regulations. Those materials control where they validly modify the World Rugby baseline.
Sevens baselineLaws 14 and 15 are not shortened for sevens
World Rugby's sevens variations alter matters such as team numbers, time, scoring, restarts, lineouts, scrums and penalties. They contain no separate replacement text for Law 14 (tackle) or Law 15 (ruck). The same definitions, release duties, entry rules and sanctions therefore apply in standard sevens.
The practical picture is different because only seven players are in the playing area for each team. A ball-carrier can be isolated and a legal turnover can expose large space, but “it is sevens” is never an exception to releasing, staying on feet, entering onside or clearing safely.
Tackle testHeld and brought to ground
Under World Rugby Laws 14.1-14.3, a tackle exists when one or more opponents hold the ball-carrier and bring that player to ground. “Ground” includes lying or sitting, or having at least one knee on the ground or on another grounded player. “Held” means the tackler keeps holding until the ball-carrier is grounded.
A player who slips or voluntarily goes down without being held has not automatically been tackled. Law 13 then requires a grounded player with the ball immediately to get up, play it without kicking, or release it. Naming the phase correctly matters because the tackle-specific rights and offside lines do not arise merely because someone is on the grass.
Tackle heightThe legal line now depends on the level
The July 2026 Law 14.1 baseline identifies the relevant high-tackle sanction line as the shoulder line in elite rugby and either the waist or base of the sternum in community rugby. World Rugby allows each union to choose which of the two lower community lines applies. The community change applies to seasons starting after 1 July 2026; it should not be assumed for a league already under way or for an event whose status has not been identified.
Law 9.13 separately prohibits early, late and dangerous tackles, including a tackle leading to head contact. Its above-sanction-line wording applies while either player is in open-field play. World Rugby's implementation note says that expression excludes low-speed pick-and-go actions close to a phase and players dipping to score. Because the union, level and phase affect the test, check the appointed competition material before declaring a particular height legal.
TacklerRelease, clear the space, then compete
When both players go to ground, Law 14.5 requires the tackler immediately to release the ball and ball-carrier, move away from both or get up, and allow the tackled player to release, play and move away from the ball. The tackler must be on their feet before attempting to play it.
Law 14.6 then gives a compliant tackler a route back into the contest: play the ball from the direction of that player's own try line, before a ruck has formed. The fact that a player made the tackle does not permit an instant reach from the wrong side. Failure to release, roll away or approach legally is a penalty offence; advantage may be played if it is safe and the non-offending team obtains a clear, real benefit.
Tackled playerThe ball must be available immediately
Law 14.7 allows the tackled player to release, pass or push the ball in any direction except forward, or place it in any direction. That choice must be made immediately so play can continue. The player must also move away or get up and must not lie on, over or near the ball to deny the opposition.
There is no entitlement to hold on until support arrives. If an on-feet opponent has reached the ball legally and the tackled player prevents possession, the normal field outcome is a penalty. Conversely, a defender who has not released, is supporting weight on the ground or arrived illegally has not earned a turnover merely by touching the ball.
Other players“Through the gate” is useful shorthand, not the law text
Before a ruck forms, Law 14.8 requires other players to remain on their feet, release the ball and ball-carrier, and arrive at the tackle from the direction of their own try line before playing the ball. They may not play it or tackle an opponent while grounded near the tackle, and may not roll, pull or twist an opponent involved there to the ground.
Once a ruck exists, Laws 15.5-15.9 are more exact: an arriving player must join from behind the offside line, may join alongside but not in front of the hindmost player, and must bind to a team-mate or opponent before or at the same time as making other contact. A player who does not join must retire behind the offside line immediately.
Before the ruckA tackle can create offside lines of its own
“No ruck, no offside line” is no longer a safe description. Under Law 14.10, tackle offside lines arise when at least one player is on their feet over the ball on the ground. Each line runs through the hindmost point of any player in the tackle or standing over the ball on that team's side.
This can happen before an opponent arrives to create a ruck. A team-mate or defender who circles past that line to play the ball can therefore be offside even though the contest still has only one on-feet player over it. Until the condition in Law 14.10 is met, players still have the Law 14.8 duty to arrive from their own try-line direction.
PossessionA legal winner must use the ball
A player on their feet may win the ball at the tackle before a ruck forms. Law 14.9 then requires that player immediately to move away, pass or kick it, remain on their feet, and not go to ground near the tackle unless tackled by an opponent. An opponent may make that tackle only from the direction of the opponent's own try line.
“Jackal” or “steal” is common rugby language, not a separate legal status. The decisive questions are whether the player released if required, came from the correct direction, stayed on feet, gained possession before ruck formation and then used the ball immediately.
Ruck formationOne standing player from each team is enough
Law 15.2 says a ruck forms when the ball is on the ground and at least one player from each team is over it, on their feet and in contact. It can form only in the field of play. It does not require three players, a scrum-half or a referee's announcement.
All players involved at every stage must keep their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips; the stated sanction for that Law 15.3 breach is a free-kick. Formation is the key transition: the tackle ends, ruck offside lines apply, and the general prohibition on handling in the ruck begins.
HandsThe pre-ruck hands exception is narrow
Law 15.11 prohibits handling after a ruck has formed, with one express exception: a player who got hands on the ball before formation may continue only if that player remains on their feet. Ball visibility does not create another exception.
If the player loses the on-feet position, releases and reaches again, or first reaches only after opponents have formed the ruck, handling is a penalty offence. Other players win possession by lawful rucking or by pushing the opposition away; Law 15.14 permits safe foot play, but Law 15.16(e) prohibits kicking or attempting to kick the ball out of the ruck.
OffsideUse the hindmost point, not the ball
At a ruck, Law 15.4 places each team's offside line parallel to the try lines through the hindmost point of any ruck participant on that team's side. If that point is on or behind the try line, the try line itself is the offside line.
A non-participant must stay behind the line. A player joining must do so from an onside position and bind legally; stepping around the side to reach the ball is not repaired by being on feet. A former participant may rejoin, but only from onside.
Safe clearoutsWinning space does not permit dangerous contact
Law 9.20 requires a player entering a ruck to bind; charging without a bind is illegal. It also prohibits contact above an opponent's shoulder line, intentional collapse, rolling, pulling or twisting the stealer or jackler, dropping weight onto an opponent, and targeting the lower limbs. Law 14.8(e) separately prohibits rolling, pulling or twisting an opponent involved in the tackle to ground.
A player joining a ruck must bind and may drive or push an opponent back while staying on feet; an arrival before ruck formation remains governed by the tackle duties in Law 14. A penalty is the stated restart for these offences. Dangerous, cynical or repeated conduct can also bring a yellow or red card; under the sevens variation, a yellow-card suspension is two minutes of playing time.
Use itThe five seconds begin with the referee's call
When one team has clearly won the ruck and the ball is available, Law 15.17 requires the referee to call “use it”. The team then has five seconds to play the ball away. Failure produces a scrum, not a penalty, to the other team.
The call does not itself mean the ball is out or remove the offside lines. The ruck ends under Law 15.19 when the ball leaves; when the player playing it away lifts it from the ground; or when the ball in the ruck is on or over the try line. Merely seeing the ball at the back is not the legal test.
Half-back protectionThe one-metre restriction remains a global law trial
The continuing global law trial in Law 15.18 protects the player attempting to play the ball away: a player who is or was part of the ruck may not play that opponent while the opponent is near the ruck, defined as within one metre. The sanction is a penalty.
This does not make the half-back immune from every defender. It restricts a player connected with the ruck within the stated distance. Competition materials should be checked where an event predates the trial's implementation for new competitions and leagues starting after 1 January 2025.
2026 clarificationLimited handling after the contest is clearly over
World Rugby Clarification 2-2026 considered a half-back moving beyond the back foot and moving the ball by hand. Although that can appear to conflict with the literal handling and offside wording, World Rugby said officials should find no material offence where the contest is clearly over, the ball is secured and the half-back is playing it away to maintain continuity.
This is an application clarification, not permission to handle during an active contest. It does not allow an opposition player to reach into the ruck, erase the offside lines, or give the team in possession unlimited time. World Rugby expressly linked the approach to an early “use it” call once the ball is won and available.
Unplayable ballFirst identify an offence; otherwise use a scrum
If a player clearly fails to release, roll away, stay on feet, enter onside or comply with another tackle or ruck duty, the referee can play advantage or award the stated penalty. “Ball trapped” does not neutralise an identifiable prior offence.
If there is no clear offence and the ball becomes unplayable, the restart is a scrum. At a tackle, Law 14.11(d) uses that outcome where there is doubt about who failed to comply; at a ruck, Law 15.20 applies when the ball probably will not emerge within a reasonable time. In both cases, the team last moving forward before the stoppage throws in.
Try lineA ruck cannot continue into in-goal
A ruck can exist only in the field of play. If the ball in a ruck reaches or crosses the try line, Law 15.19 says the ruck ends. Players may then act under the in-goal law, including grounding a legally available ball; they should not wait for the ball to travel clear of the former ruck as though the old offside lines still controlled it.
Law 14's 2026 principle says a tackle can occur anywhere in the playing area, but its subsequent tackle provisions apply only in the field of play. A close in-goal incident therefore needs Law 21 as well as the tackle definition; the field-of-play breakdown rules should not be transplanted into in-goal without that check.
Worked case 1The tackler gets up and wins the ball
Situation: the defender and ball-carrier go to ground. The defender releases, gets fully to their feet, comes from the direction of their own try line and takes the released ball before any opponent makes contact over it.
World Rugby July 2026 ruling: legal turnover, provided the defender immediately moves, passes or kicks. Laws 14.5-14.6 have been satisfied and no ruck existed when possession was gained.
Worked case 2A second defender loops around the tackle
Situation: one defender is already upright over the grounded ball. A team-mate runs beyond that defender's hindmost point and approaches the ball from the attacking side; no attacker has yet contacted the first defender.
World Rugby July 2026 ruling: penalty for offside if the second defender plays the ball. A ruck has not formed, but the first on-feet player over the grounded ball created tackle offside lines under Law 14.10.
Worked case 3Hands were on before formation
Situation: a legal defender on their feet grips the ball. An attacking support player then arrives onside, binds and contacts the defender over the grounded ball.
World Rugby July 2026 ruling: the new contact forms a ruck, but the defender may keep hands on the ball only while remaining on their feet because Law 15.11's express pre-formation exception applies. If the defender releases and reaches again, or goes to ground, the exception is lost.
Worked case 4The ball is available but not used
Situation: the attacking team has clearly won the ruck. The referee calls “use it”, but the half-back leaves the ball in place for more than five seconds.
World Rugby July 2026 ruling: scrum to the opposition under Law 15.17. It is not a penalty for holding on, because the controlling failure is to play the available ruck ball within five seconds of the call.
Worked case 5A former ruck player tackles the receiver early
Situation: a defender who was bound in the ruck detaches and tackles the half-back while the half-back is within one metre and attempting to play the ball away.
World Rugby 2026 trial ruling: penalty under the continuing global law trial at Law 15.18. The decisive facts are the defender's participation in the ruck, the half-back's attempt to play the ball away and the one-metre distance.
Decision pathHow to analyse a sevens breakdown
- Name the competition, level and implementation date. Confirm elite or community tackle height and any authorised local variation.
- Was there a tackle? The ball-carrier must have been held and brought to ground.
- Check the immediate duties. Tackler releases and clears or gets up; tackled player makes the ball available; others stay on feet and arrive from their own try-line direction.
- Check tackle offside lines. They arise as soon as one on-feet player is over the grounded ball.
- Mark ruck formation. One on-feet player from each team, in contact, over the grounded ball.
- Apply ruck rules. Onside entry, binding, feet and restricted hands; safe contact throughout.
- Identify the end. Ball leaves or is lifted, reaches the try line, becomes unplayable, or is not used within five seconds after the call.
- Choose the outcome. Continue, play advantage, award the stated penalty or free-kick, or order the correct scrum.
Common errorsSix shortcuts that produce the wrong call
- “The tackler can attack the ball from anywhere.” No: release, get up and approach from the tackler's own try-line direction before the ruck forms.
- “No ruck means no offside.” Law 14.10 can create tackle offside lines with one on-feet player over the ball.
- “The first player over it automatically wins.” Position alone is not possession; the player must comply with entry, feet and immediate-use duties.
- “Visible means out.” Law 15.19, not visibility, defines when the ruck ends.
- “Use it means defenders may advance.” The ruck and its offside lines remain until it legally ends.
- “Sevens always uses the elite shoulder line.” Event level and union implementation determine the applicable 2026 tackle-height line.
Official referencesGoverning-body sources and effective versions
Checked on 28 August 2026 against World Rugby's July 2026 law book and live Passport material. The July changes apply to new competitions or events starting after 1 July 2026; mid-competition implementation, the elite/community classification, the selected community tackle-height line and any authorised local variations must be confirmed with the relevant union or organiser.