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Tutorial
This section is targeted at people new to the game of rugby league and will hopefully provide an in depth education to the rules and the sport in general.
Section 6: Offsides
Offside mostly occurs in rugby league after tackles and at kicks. First, I will explain how you are offside after tackles.
When a player has been tackled, the opposing team must retire 10 metres, except for two players. These 2 players are called markers. They must stand in front of the player playing the ball, but they cant stand next to each other. One player must stand behind the other. All others must retire 10 metres. If a player does not go back 10 metres, the team will be penalised. The team in possession will get 6 new tackles. Imagine getting penalised after tackling the team with the ball 5 times! Or, imagine getting penalised on your own 10 metre line! However, if you are injured and you cant make it back to the 10 metre line, the referee will not penalise you if he sees you are not trying to tackle any players. Usually, the referee will blow time off if he sees you are injured.
Note that the blue team is in possession. The blue player furthest up is playing the ball (although it doesn’t really look like he is doing it). The 2 red players in front are markers (but why they are standing next to each other I cannot comprehend.) The red player furthest back has gone back 10 metres. You can see this because it is 10 metres difference between the marked and unmarked line (on the red side). The player who is offside has not gone back to the marked line, so he is offside. Confusing? When a player is tackled, the referee will tell you how far to get back, so dont worry. Just dont stand in front of him, because you could get penalised!
When a player has been tackled, the opposing team must retire 10 metres, except for two players. These 2 players are called markers. They must stand in front of the player playing the ball, but they cant stand next to each other. One player must stand behind the other. All others must retire 10 metres. If a player does not go back 10 metres, the team will be penalised. The team in possession will get 6 new tackles. Imagine getting penalised after tackling the team with the ball 5 times! Or, imagine getting penalised on your own 10 metre line! However, if you are injured and you cant make it back to the 10 metre line, the referee will not penalise you if he sees you are not trying to tackle any players. Usually, the referee will blow time off if he sees you are injured. Note that the blue team is in possession. The blue player furthest up is playing the ball (although it doesn’t really look like he is doing it). The 2 red players in front are markers (but why they are standing next to each other I cannot comprehend.) The red player furthest back has gone back 10 metres. You can see this because it is 10 metres difference between the marked and unmarked line (on the red side). The player who is offside has not gone back to the marked line, so he is offside. Confusing? When a player is tackled, the referee will tell you how far to get back, so dont worry. Just dont stand in front of him, because you could get penalised!
Offside at kicks
If one of your team mates is performing a kick, it is important you stand level or behind him. If you do not, your side will get penalised. However, there is an exception. You can stand in front of the kicker, but the only ways you cannot be penalised is if you:
- The kicker runs in front of you again
- If an opponent gets the ball, you must stand 10 metres from him (in length, not width).
- Raise your arms and run back to an onside postion (behind the kicker). This tells the referee you have no intention of going after the ball or the player with the ball.
Note that the person in front is offside.
