Out of Play

The ball is out of play as soon as any part of it passes beyond the inner edge of a side-line or the goal-line (not including the goal-line between the goal posts), whether it is touching the ground or not. The goal-line extends indefinitely in the case of a Rougeable ball that goes out first and then behind.

If the ball goes out of play, a Set-Piece-Bully is formed on or, in the case of muddy conditions, near the tram-line AND:

opposite the place it was last touched by a player (if that player was outside the 15-yard area);

on the 15-yard line (if the player was inside the 15 yard area – this includes goal-kicks);

If it is to the player’s disadvantage in either of the above, opposite the place where the ball went out.

The team who last touched the ball does not have heads at the ensuing Set-Piece-Bully.

If there is any doubt about who last touched the ball, the umpire should give the defending team (the side in whose half of the pitch the Set-Piece-Bully is to be formed) Heads.

If there is any doubt about where the Set-Piece-Bully should be formed, the umpire should pick a middle point between the two possibilities.