Mark
A player can call a "mark" by catching the ball cleanly in their own 22 or in-goal from an opponent's kick. The mark awards a free-kick at the point of the catch.
A mark is a way to stop play and gain a free-kick by catching the ball cleanly. It is a relatively rare but important law that protects players receiving high kicks.
How to claim a mark: 1. A player must catch the ball cleanly (not drop it or juggle it) 2. The ball must come from an opponent's kick (not a pass or knock-on by own team) 3. The player must be in their own 22-metre area (or in in-goal) 4. The player must call "Mark!" at the moment of catching
What happens next:
- Play stops immediately
- The player who made the mark takes a free-kick from the point where the mark was made (or anywhere behind that point on the same line)
- The kick must be taken by the player who made the mark
- The free-kick cannot score directly (this is a free-kick, not a penalty)
Important: The ball must come directly from the opponent's kick. If it bounces off a teammate or the ground (except in in-goal), a mark cannot be called.
Sanction: No penalty — if the mark is not cleanly taken the referee simply plays on.
Real-World Examples
Scenario
A fullback standing in her 22 catches a massive up-and-under from the opposing fly-half cleanly and shouts "Mark!" at the moment of catching.
Outcome
Mark awarded. The fullback gets a free-kick at the point of the catch. All opposing players must retreat 10 metres. She can kick from anywhere on or behind that line.
Scenario
A winger catches an opponent's kick cleanly in his 22 but does not call "Mark" until after he has taken a step.
Outcome
No mark. The player must call "Mark" simultaneously with the catch. Since the call came after the catch, the referee plays on and normal play continues.
Scenario
A player catches a kick outside his 22, retreats into the 22, and calls "Mark."
Outcome
No mark. The player must be in the 22 (or in-goal) at the moment of catching the ball. Retreating into the 22 after the catch does not qualify.
Scenario
A fullback catches the ball in her 22 from an opponent's kick but the ball ricochets off a teammate's shoulder first.
Outcome
No mark. The ball must come directly from the opponent's kick. Once it has touched a teammate (or the ground outside in-goal), a mark cannot be made.