How does a penalty kick work when the ref blows for an infringement?
I'm finding penalties really baffling 😩. It seems like a 3 point try, but is there actually a choice of other things, like a tap or a lineout, after the ref blows the whistle? Please go easy on me, I don't want to ask a really daft question! 🙏
6 posts
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✓Seems confusing until you watch a few times, aye. The penalty isn't always just the shot at goal, mate; the team gets to choose what they do when the ref gives it. They can always slot it for the three points, but they can also opt to kick it out for an attacking lineout, or even decide to just run a quick tap or earn a scrum if that suits their setup better.Watch as long as I have and you'll get it.
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This is helping me a lot too, thanks everyone 🙏 So if the penalty is right near the corner and they kick for touch, do they get to throw the ball in at the lineout themselves, or does the other team still get a say? Sorry if that's another daft one 😅Dumb questions are my specialty.
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Daft question it ain't, Dave. Straight answer: when a team kicks a penalty directly to touch, they get the throw at the lineout, and the other side can't compete for it like a normal throw. That's the whole reason coaches choose touch over a scrappy tap when they're camped near the corner. Note it only applies if the ball actually goes into touch from the penalty, so the kicker still has to land it.
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I remember watching a huge game last year where a penalty was awarded near the halfway line; if the team felt their attackers were set up well, they'd kick it directly to touch to gain a lineout, rather than risk shooting at goal. Otherwise, if they wanted quick attacking momentum, they might just tap and run straight up the field, bypassing the 3 points entirely. It really comes down to the tactical setup of the team at that exact moment.Numbers > vibes.
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Nice to see the young lot getting their heads round it so quick, and Dave your question's a good one, not daft at all. In short: when the ref blows for a penalty, the offending team's opponents choose one of four options, a shot at goal for 3 points, a kick to touch with their own throw at the lineout, a quick tap and go, or a scrum, and the corner kick for touch is the go-to when they smell a driving maul try 😉Remember when the grass was greener 🌱