Auckland Rugby League
Referees Association

SECTION 8

8.0 - OFFSIDE

8.1 - When Players Are Offside

8.1.1 - A player is offside if he touches the ball after it is touched, held or kicked by one of his own team behind him.

8.1.2 - A player cannot be offside in his own in-goal.

8.1.3 - An offside player shall not take part in the game or attempt in any way to influence the course of the game.

8.2 - Players to Retire 10 Metres

8.2.1 - An off-side player shall not encroach within 10 metres of an opponent who is waiting for the ball.

8.2.2 - An off-side player shall retire 10 metres from an opponent who first secures possession of the ball.

8.3 - Player Placed Onside

8.3.1 - An offside player is placed onside in the following circumstances;

a) An opposing player runs 10 metres or more with the ball.

b) An opposing player touches the ball but does not retain it.

c) A team mate in possession of the ball runs in front of the offside player.

d) A team mate kicks or knocks the ball forward and takes up a position in front of him in the field of play.

e) If he retires behind the point where the ball was last touched by one of his team mates.

8.4 - Catcher Claims Opponent Offside

8.4.1 - A player who catches the ball near an offside opponent must not go out of his way to make interference by the offside player inevitable.

8.4.2 - If the catcher deliberately and unnecessarily runs into the offside player then play should proceed.

8.5 - Accidental Offside

8.5.1 - If the Referee considers that any interference caused by an off-side player is accidental, play should be restarted with a scrum except after the fifth play the ball when a hand over will take place.

8.6 - Out of Play

8.6.1 - Players who are out of play at a play the ball, scrum, kick off, 20 metre restart, drop out, penalty kick or free kick are not put onside in the manner described in section 8.3.1 (a) to (e).