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Tap penalty - Running onto the ball

When taking a tap penalty can a member of the kicking team be running onto the ball before the tap is taken?

Rugby CoachCoach

2 answers

ANSWERS

Robert PeterlinCoach, United States of America

follow up question on same line ... can the team running on, before the tap, cross between the player taking the kick as then that player pass out behind the surging pack. It was not cleanly executed, the surging pack continued into the awaiting defenders, clear obstruction, but assuming that the move was executed, what would the thought process be as to materiality go in obstructing the awaiting defenders?

Eamonn Coach, England

For Free Pass = U11 Rules say "For safety reasons, no player may run until the pass is made."

For Free Kick = strangely there is no specific rule about not running here, so you are good to go!

2nd Q:- in short it could easily be viewed as an offense. More info:-

Players can not deliberately get in the way of an opponent preventing them getting to the ball or ball-carrier.

Cannot charge or push an opponent running for the ball-carrier. (can be contact shoulder-to-shoulder if both chasing a ball).

Can not block or move in front of an opponent to stop them tackling one of your team-mates (that`s American Football).

Can not stand in a position as an obstruction.

For all these offences, a free pass is awarded to the opposition.

Note: Players running with the ball can not run into a team-mate in front of them.