The Play-the-Ball

The play-the-ball is how the ball is returned to play after a tackle. As soon as a player is tackled (defined as when the ball-carrying arm or the ball touches the ground, provided an opponent maintains some contact) then all the defenders must retreat 10 metres from the tackled player, with the exception of two 'markers', who stand one behind the other, in front of the tackled player. As soon as possible, the tackled player stands up, and places the ball on the ground in front of one foot (if the ball is dropped, it is a knock-on and a scrum is awarded to the opposition). The ball is then rolled backwards by use of the boot. In recent years, it has become acceptable for a player merely to place the ball on the ground and roll it backwards by use of the hand, whilst merely stepping over it as it moves backwards.

As soon as the ball is played, it is back in play and the defenders can try to take it back. A colleague of the tackled player will stand behind the tackled player to receive the play-the-ball; they will then choose to pass, kick or run with it. This is most usually the player at Hooker, and is known as the acting half-back or dummy-half.