2017 In Touch and In Goal Law Changes
(D Shaw 2017)
In Touch…but who put the ball in touch?
1. The player in possession of the ball who touches the touch line or the ground
beyond has put the ball into touch. (no change)
Note: A player who is attempting to bring the ball under control is now deemed to be
in possession of the ball.
2. The last player in possession of the ball before it went into touch has taken the
ball in touch.
The process used to decide who has taken the ball into touch changes for 2017.
Previously whether the ball was rolling or stopped was relevant…but no longer.
Now the question is: Did the ball reach the plane?
 If the ball has reached the plane of touch when it is caught, then the catcher
is not deemed to have taken the ball into touch.
 If the ball has not reached the plane of touch when it is caught or picked up,
then the catcher is deemed to have taken the ball into touch, regardless of
whether the ball was in motion or stationary.
In all of these cases the blue player has taken the ball into touch.
Standing with one foot on the line or in touch when coming in contact with the
ball…does not matter anymore. If the ball has not crossed the line and the nonkicking team grabs the ball…they put the ball in touch.
3. After the ball has crossed the plane of touch, and contacted the ground or
someone/something in touch….the ball is in touch.
The blue player standing in touch and
took possession of the ball once it
crossed the line of touch. The ball in
already in touch as it breaks the plane
of touch. Who put the ball in
touch…opposition (kicking team)
Quick throw is an option though!
Not in Touch…play on
4. A player from the non kicking team can play the ball (but not take possession)
when standing outside the field of play (i.e. over the plane of touch).
When the player outside the field of play comes in contact
with but does not take possession of the ball (e.g. slaps back
infield)…before it crosses the plane of touch…the ball is not in
touch…play on.
(No Change)
5. A player who plays the ball from inside the plane of touch and takes possession
of the ball and crossed the plane of touch can catch, slap or throw the ball in
field before touching them or the ball contacts the ground in touch.
When a player jumps from inside the playing area, and before landing in touch,
manages to knock (or catch and throw) the ball from across plane of touch back into
the playing area, this is now play on (previously this was in touch).
In all cases the ball is over the line of touch but the blue player has not made
contact the touch line or the ground beyond. If the player manages to flick the ball
back in field play on…the ball is not in touch. The player cannot be in possession
when they contact the touch line or the ground beyond
In Goal, Touch In Goal & Dead Ball Line
6. The player in possession of the ball who contacts the touch in goal or dead ball
line or the ground beyond makes the ball ‘dead’. (no change)
7. Similar to the new law associated with touch.
If a player has a foot / feet on or over the try line and they retrieve the ball (in
flight or rolling) and touch down in goal…they have taken the ball into the in
goal. The ball must break the plane of the in goal before it is played to be
considered ‘in goal’. Similarly over the dead ball or touch in goal lines.
If the receiving player takes the ball into the in goal play will restart with a 5m
scrum, feed to the kicking team.

Blue catches the ball on full (or
bounce) from a kick in the field of
play and has one foot on the try line
or in the in goal.
The player then grounds the ball in
goal.
Previously this could have resulted
in a 22 or scrum back.

Since Blue has played the ball into
his in goal…the restart is a
5m scrum to kicking team.
Summary:
The ball must break the plane of touch; the try line, touch in goal or the dead ball
line before it is considered to be out of play.
If the ball has reached the plane when it is caught, then the catcher is not deemed
to have taken the ball across the plane.
If the ball has not reached the plane when it is caught or picked up, then the catcher
is deemed to have taken the ball across the plane, regardless of whether the ball
was in motion or stationary.