01
Watch the match
Fan
Start by finding the halfway line, both 22-metre lines and the in-goal areas. These help you follow field position and understand where scoring and restarts happen.
Back to Rugby 101
Rugby pitch lines and zones
Use the diagram to find the main pitch markings, then learn how they affect kicks to touch, tries, lineouts and kick-offs.
Pitch map
Find the main markings
Find the halfway line in the centre, the 22-metre lines near each end, and the in-goal areas behind the goal lines. The dashed lines mark kick-off distances and lineout positions.
Marking22m line
Marking10m line
Marking5m channel
Marking15m channel
Watching, playing or coaching
How to use the markings
The lines help you follow a match, check your position as a player and explain decisions as a coach or referee.
02
Know your position
Player
Use the markings to check where you are before kicking, grounding the ball or joining a lineout. The relevant law depends on both the situation and your position.
03
Explain the restart
Coach or referee
Use the lines to explain where players should stand and why a restart takes place there.
What the markings change
Four markings to know
Each marking below has a specific role in scoring or restarting play.
01
Kicking to touch
The 22-metre line
The 22-metre line affects whether a kick directly to touch gains ground. Check where the kick was taken and how the ball entered the 22 before judging where the lineout should be.
02
Scoring a try
The goal line and in-goal
Crossing the line is not enough. The ball must be grounded in the in-goal area, and the goal line itself belongs to that scoring area.
03
Lineout position
The 5m and 15m dashed lines
The five-metre and 15-metre markings show where players form the lineout. Watch these lines to follow where players stand before the throw.
04
Kick-off distance
The 10-metre lines
The 10-metre lines show the distance a kick-off must reach. Watch how far the ball travels to understand why a short kick may need to be retaken.
Common misunderstandings
What to watch for during a match
These assumptions can make a referee's decision confusing. Check the ball's position and what happened before the whistle.
Thinking a kick directly to touch always gains territory.
Assuming a try is scored just because the ball crosses the goal line.
Ignoring the 5m and 15m lines during lineouts.
Forgetting that both teams can contest a kick-off.