A penalty kick is a kick awarded to the non-offending team as stated in the Laws.

It may be taken by any player of the non offending team and by any form of kick provided that the kicker, if holding the ball, must propel it out of his hands or, if the ball is on the ground, he must propel it a visible distance from the mark. He may keep his hand on the ball while kicking it.

(1)

The non-offending team has the option of taking a scrummage at the mark and shall put in the ball.

(2)

When a penalty kick is taken the following shall apply:

(a)

The kick must be taken without undue delay.

(b)

The kick must be taken at or behind the mark on a line through the mark and the kicker may place the ball for a place kick. If the place prescribed by the Laws for the award of a penalty kick is within five meters of the opponents' goal line, the mark for the penalty kick or a scrummage taken instead of it shall be five meters from the goal line on a line through that place.

(c)

The kicker may kick the ball in any direction and he may play the ball again, without any restriction, except that if he has indicated to the referee that he intends to attempt a kick at goal or has taken any action indicating such intention he must not kick the ball in any other way. A player kicking for touch may only punt or drop kick the ball. Any indication of intention is irrevocable.

(d)

The kicker's team, except the placer for a place kick, must be behind the ball until it has been kicked. Retiring players of the kicker's team who are in front of the ball will not be penalized if their failure to retire is due to the rapidity with which the kick has been taken but they must not stop retiring and enter the game until:

• the offside player has retired behind the player who kicked the ball, or

• one of his team carrying the ball has run in front of him, or

• one of his team has run in front of him after coming from behind the place where the ball was kicked.

 

(e)

The opposing team must run without delay (and continue to do so while the kick is being taken and while the ball is being played by the kicker's team) to or behind a line parallel to the goal lines and ten meters from the mark, or to their own goal line if nearer to the mark. If a kick at goal is taken they must there remain motionless with their hands by their sides until the kick has been taken.

Retiring players will not be penalized if their failure to retire ten meters is due to the rapidity with which the kick has been taken, but they may not stop retiring and enter the game until an opponent carrying the ball has run five meters.

(f)

The opposing team must not prevent the kick or interfere with the kicker in any way. This applies to actions such as wilfully carrying, throwing or kicking the ball away out of reach of the kicker.

Penalty:-

• For an infringement by the kicker's team --- a scrummage at the mark.
• For an infringement by the opposing team --- a penalty kick ten meters in front of the mark or five meters from the goal line whichever is the nearer, on a line through the mark. Any player of the no offending team may take the kick.

Notes:-

(i)

The kick must be taken with the ball which was in play unless the referee decides that the ball is defective.

(ii)

The use of sand, sawdust or an approved kicking tee is permitted for placing the ball.

(iii)

A player taking a penalty kick may not bounce the ball on his knee. The kick must be made with the foot or lower leg. If a player fails to kick the ball, a scrummage should be ordered.

(iv)

In addition to the general provision regarding waste of time, the kicker is bound to kick without delay, under penalty.

The instructions in the second paragraph of  apply also in the case of a penalty kick.

Even without a caution, if the delay is clearly a breach of Law the kick should be disallowed and a scrummage ordered.

(v)

The referee must always make up time lost by any delay in taking the kick, as provided for in .

(vi)

If the kicker appears to be about to take a kick at goal, the referee may ask him to state his intention.

(vii)

If the kicker is taking a kick at goal, all players of the opposing team must remain passive from the time the kicker commences his run until the kick has been taken.

(viii)

When a penalty kick is taken in In-goal, a penalty try shall be awarded if a defending player by foul play prevents an opponent from first grounding the ball.

(ix)

If, from a penalty kick taken in In-goal, the ball travels into touch-in-goal or over the dead-ball line, a five meters scrummage should be ordered, the attacking team to put in the ball.

(x)

If the kicker takes a drop kick and a goal results, the goal stands even though the kicker has not indicated to the referee an intention to kick at goal.

(xi)

If, notwithstanding a prior infringement by the opposing team, a goal is kicked, the goal should be awarded instead of a further penalty kick.

(xii)

The referee should not award a further penalty if he is satisfied that the reason for such further penalty has been deliberately contrived by the kicker's team, but should allow play to continue.