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Free kick

O

Old Pig

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Opposing team at a free-kick​

20.16As soon as the kicker initiates movement to kick, the opposing team may charge and try to prevent the free-kick being taken by tackling the kicker or to block the kick.

This one came on the weekend in a club match. Attacking team awarded a free kick. Attacking 9 moved to the mark then placed the ball on the ground. Defenders charged as soon as the ball was placed on the ground. Ref called them offside (as I would have). Defending captain spoke to the ref citing this law.

What are your thoughts? Is placing the ball on the ground initiating a movement to kick?
How often do players charge at a free kick?
 
There used to be a law that allowed the defending team to move forward as soon as ball touched the ground. No longer exists. I would not consider placing ball on ground as a movement to kick.
As soon as I saw the defenders move forward, I'd blow loudly and start again.
When you say "offside", did the referee upgrade to a penalty kick?
 
Should have been managed, as if the ball is placed on the ground there's not been a movement to kick. Or if one must blow, advance the FK 10m.
 
SimonSmith said:
I'd have made the same decision as your referee.
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May I ask why you'd upgrade to a PK?

World Rugby:

Opposing team at a penalty or free-kick​


20.12 When a penalty or free-kick is awarded, the opposing team must immediately retreat 10 metres towards their own try line or until they have reached their try line if that is closer. Sanction: Second penalty or free-kick, 10 metres in front of the original mark. The second penalty or free-kick must not be taken before the referee has made the mark.
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Surely, at best (worst?), it is a 2nd FK marched fwd 10? I know that it is not quite failing to retreat.But where am I missing the sanction being a PK?
 
Marc Wakeham said:
May I ask why you'd upgrade to a PK?


Surely, at best (worst?), it is a 2nd FK marched fwd 10? I know that it is not quite failing to retreat.But where am I missing the sanction being a PK?
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I wouldn't have argued with either.

For the PK argument: this isn't failure to retreat, is it? It's a separate offence that I can see be treated as different in kind.
 
I cant help feeling I'd treat this as the defender misinterpreting the action rather than anything more. I certainly can't see any reason to escalate to a penalty unless the player taking the free-kick was mown down in the process.
 
Playing devil's advocate.
Defending player calls for mark and it is awarded.
He puts the ball on the floor at the mark and steps back a few paces.
Given that you can simply tap the ball at a mark and play on, it's arguable that if he then advances towards the ball, that is initiating movement to kick therefore the opposition could advance.

Opposing team at a free-kick​

20.16As soon as the kicker initiates movement to kick, the opposing team may charge and try to prevent the free-kick being taken by tackling the kicker or to block the kick.
 
Ciaran Trainor said:
Playing devil's advocate.
Defending player calls for mark and it is awarded.
He puts the ball on the floor at the mark and steps back a few paces.
Given that you can simply tap the ball at a mark and play on, it's arguable that if he then advances towards the ball, that is initiating movement to kick therefore the opposition could advance.

Opposing team at a free-kick​

20.16As soon as the kicker initiates movement to kick, the opposing team may charge and try to prevent the free-kick being taken by tackling the kicker or to block the kick.
Click to expand...
and sounds like a "gotcha".
 
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