In The Game Of Rugby Union, What Is A Lineout And When Is It Awarded?

A lineout is awarded when the ball goes off the pitch into touch on either side of the field. This can happen if the ball is kicked into touch, if a player is tackled into touch whilst he or she has hold of the ball, or if a player touches the touch line with any part of their body whilst hey have hold of the ball.

The lineout consists of the forwards of both teams lining up in single file one metre away from each other facing the touchline. The hooker (who usually wears the Number 2 shirt) throws the ball between the two lines, giving calls in special code to indicate to his or her teammates where the ball is going to go. This gives the team that has won the lineout the advantage of retaining the ball by catching or hacking it to their back players. The lineout takes place where the linesman deemed the ball to have entered touch. It is awarded to the opposing team from the player who put the ball out of play in the first place. Only when the ball has entered touch from a penalty kick does the team kicking it out retain the ball at the lineout.  The team which has been awarded the lineout dictates how many players should take part, the minimum being four and the maximum, seven.