If I hit the ball forward on purpose with my head, is it knock-on?

Question

I saw a professional doing it in Argentina Vs Uruguay for the worldcup qualifies, and the ref said Knock on, but didn't the player knew that ?

Answer 1

yes it was a knock on because the only part of the body that is allowed to set the ball sorward is the leg...i hope i have answered you...!

Answer 2

It's a knock on if you hit it forward, accidentally or purposely, with any part of your body except your foot. You are allowed to kick the ball forward, and this is called grubbing.

Answer 3

i dont think so. it has to come off the arm or hands to be deemed a knock on....... i think

Answer 4

No it's not. As a former player and referee, I can assure you it isn't. Look above to the person who added the law concerning forward passes to the answer. It has to go off the hands/forearms to be considered a knockon.

Answer 5

I suppose if you could aim the ball really well with your head, to other players, it could be a new way to pass the ball forward.  Now I can butt the ball into touch or get a grubber butt.

Answer 6

Heading the ball forward is not a knock on, the same rules apply as if it were kicked forward (off side etc.).

Answer 7

It's only not a knock on if you use your legs.

Unless your charging down a kick, in which case you can legaly knock it forward with any part of your body.

Answer 8

As you can tell, even true ruggers are debating this!  I guess I always assumed anything above the waist was a knock on, intentional or not.  Please see my source I listed for the rest of my answer:)

Answer 9

not a knock on off any other part of body except hands and arms

Answer 10

The other answers are also correct when saying it should not be a knock on, but for clarity, I have included the definition of a knock-on and throw-forward below, and a link to where I got the definitions.

"LAW 12 – KNOCK-ON OR THROW-FORWARD

DEFINITION - KNOCK-ON

A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goes

forward, or when a player hits the ball forward with the hand or arm, or when

the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward, and the ball touches the ground

or another player before the original player can catch it.

‘Forward’ means towards the opposing team’s dead ball line.

EXCEPTION

Charge down. If a player charges down the ball as an opponent kicks it, or

immediately after the kick, it is not a knock-on even though the ball may travel

forward.

DEFINITION - THROW-FORWARD

A throw-forward occurs when a player throws or passes the ball forward.

‘Forward’ means towards the opposing team’s dead ball line.

EXCEPTION

Bounce forward. If the ball is not thrown forward but it hits a player or the

ground and bounces forward, this is not a throw-forward."

Answer 11

No its not a knock on, in fact it is commonly referred to in aussie RL as a "falcon".

Answer 12

It's not a knock on, but why would you want to?

Answer 13

Yes, knocking forward counts which ever part of your body you hit the ball with

Answer 14

I would have thought a head on but maybe that is Motorsport.

Answer 15

yes its a knock on because no matter what the ball its foward it gets called..it sux bc in a match i almost scored a try but i accidentally knocked it on

Answer 16

I don't believe that it will be called as a knock-on.

While watching the Super12 last year, the same thing happened to the Queensland Reds.

I think it was Elton Flatley who ran straight into the ball with his face about 5m from the try line.

The ball went forward and over the try line Another Reds player pushed the ball down and Andre Watson, the referee, awarded the try stating that "the ball came off his head, no knock-on".

So I think according to the exact rules, a knock-on can only come off the forearms and hands of a player.

Answer 17

no it is a knock on if u use youre hands

Answer 18

I am Argie but I didn't saw the match (I had to play myself for the club).

I heard that is allowed but wht is forbbidenn now (ant it wasn't before) is the "Auto head hit" that is throwing the ball against your own head to get a lineout or whatever... but if the ball comes from an oponent kick or something you are still allowed to make a head hit...

Answer 19

yep.

Answer 20

Rugby union is is one of the few ball games where the ball can only travel backwards.

So that means the ball cannot be passed forwards at anytime.

And that includes if you accidently knock the ball forwards with your hands or arm when you fumble the ball.

No excuses in this game.

So if you do knock the ball on forwards, the referee will stop play and award a scrum to the other team.

Answer 21

yes it is my friend , i should know i'm stupid

Answer 22

alright listen up, knocking the ball forwards with any part of your body above the hip is a knock on. you can kick or grubber kick as much as you want, it can bounce of your knees and go forwards as well. just above the hip results in a scrum being awarded to the defending side

stuart t, the answer below mine, it is a knock on, ozzie rl is different innit?if that ball bounces of your head, and you are a teammate gather it, there will be a scrum. if someone on the other team gets it, advantage will be played.