A player must not make the ball unplayable by falling down. Unplayable means that the ball is not immediately available to either team so that play may continue. A player who makes the ball unplayable, or who obstructs the opposing team by falling down, is negating the purpose and spirit of the game and must be penalised. A player who is not tackled, but who goes to ground while holding the ball, or a player who goes to ground and gathers the ball, must act immediately. A player who passes or releases the ball must also get up or move away from it at once.
Advantage is played only if it happens immediately.
A player must not lie on or near the ball to prevent opponents getting possession of it. A player must not voluntarily fall on or over a player with the ball who is lying on the ground. A player must not voluntarily fall on or over players lying on the ground with the ball between them or near them. Please see Terms Page for conditions of use. We'll answer it within 24 hours.