GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
Can a Rugby Union team score a drop-kicked goal straight after a penalty or free-kick?
The penalty and free-kick rules differ. After a penalty, an unannounced drop-kick that scores can stand under Law 8.23. After a free-kick, the awarded team cannot score a dropped goal until the ball becomes dead or an opponent plays or touches it, or tackles the ball-carrier; an earlier attempt is unsuccessful and play continues.
For Rugby Union viewers distinguishing penalty-kick options from a free-kick restart. · Updated
A drop-kick goal after a penalty can stand
Law 8.23 says that if the kicker did not indicate an intention to kick at goal but takes a drop-kick and scores, the goal stands. Law 8.18 separately says a penalty goal can be scored only from a penalty. Keep the penalty-goal method distinct from a drop-kick goal.
A free-kick recipient has to wait
Under Law 8.29, the team awarded a free-kick cannot score a dropped goal until the ball next becomes dead or an opponent has played or touched it, or tackled the ball-carrier. A dropped-goal attempt before one of those events is deemed unsuccessful and play continues. The rule also covers a team that chose a lineout instead of taking the free-kick.
Do not mix up the terms
A drop-kick describes how the ball is kicked. A penalty goal is a scoring method available only from a penalty. A dropped goal is a goal from a drop-kick in open play. The restart and the point in the sequence determine which law applies.
Two fictional kick sequences
These are hypothetical sequences, not real match events. In one, a team has a penalty, does not announce an intention to kick at goal, and a drop-kick scores; Law 8.23 says the goal stands. In another, a team is awarded a free-kick and attempts a dropped goal before the ball is dead and before an opponent plays or touches it or tackles the ball-carrier; the kick is unsuccessful and play continues.
Related questions
Does the kicker have to announce a goal attempt after a penalty?
Law 8.23 says a drop-kick goal stands even if the kicker did not indicate an intention to kick at goal.
Does an early free-kick drop-goal attempt stop play?
No. Before the conditions in Law 8.29 are met, the attempt is deemed unsuccessful and play continues.