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Laws
Around the Academy:
Playing the ball
Play the ball

Play the ball is the most unique part of rugby league that makes it so very different from rugby union.

Each team is allowed six tackles.

If they have not scored during their six tackles, they must hand the ball back to the opposition.

The tackled player must be immediately released by the tackler and cannot be touched again until the ball is back in play.

After the player with the ball is tackled, they must lift the ball clear of the ground, face their opponent's goal line and roll it under their foot to the player behind them, the acting half back.

The ball must always travel backwards.

A player can play the ball to themselves by heeling it backwards, stepping over the ball and then picking it up to run with it or to pass to another player.

Once they have done this, their team has one less tackle to play with.

So if, for example, a player is tackled on the second tackle, the referee will then shout "third tackle" on the play the ball.

The team will have only three more tackles left to get on the scoreboard.

Playing the ball
Tackling
Passing
Forward pass
Knock on
Drop out
Kicking to touch
Playing advantage
20m re-start

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