A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it travels forward from their hands or arms, or when the ball hits a player's hand or arm and goes forward, and another player then touches the ball or it hits the ground before the original player regathers it. A forward pass occurs when a player passes the ball forward towards the opposition's dead-ball line, meaning the ball travels forward out of the hands at the moment of release.

Step 1: Identify that a knock-on or forward pass has occurred. Knock on signal:

Step 2: Identify the player responsible (only if your team made the error). For a knock-on: the player who knocked the ball forward. For a forward pass: the player who passed the ball forward (the thrower).

Step 3: Label the knock-on or forward pass. Always time the code to the moment the knock-on or forward pass happened, not when the scrum is taken.

A) Your team made the knock-on or forward pass: Press "1" (Your Team Possession) > Press "I". Choose Knock On or Forward Pass from the prompt. Identify the player and enter the shirt number. Ensure the timeline matches when the referee awarded the Knock On/Forward Pass or started the advantage.

B) Opposition made the knock-on or forward pass: Press "2" (Opposition Possession) > Press "I". Choose Knock On or Forward Pass from the prompt. Ensure the timeline matches when the referee awarded the Knock On/Forward Pass or started the advantage.

Q: How do I code a deliberate knock on? What's a deliberate knock on?

A:

A deliberate knock-on is coded as an infringement (not a regular knock-on) because it results in a penalty and can lead to a yellow card.

If your team made the Deliberate Knock On: Press "1" (Your Team Possession) > Press "I". Select the Player who committed the Infringement and enter the shirt number. Ensure the timeline matches when the referee awarded the penalty or started the advantage.

If the opposition made the Deliberate Knock On: Press "2" (Opposition Possession) > Press "I". Ensure the timeline matches when the referee awarded the penalty or started the advantage

Example of a deliberate knock on:

Q: How do I identify a knock-on?

A: A knock-on occurs when the ball goes forward from a player’s hand/arm and then it hits the ground before the original player regathers it.

Q: How do I identify a forward pass?

A: A forward pass occurs when a deliberate passing of the ball travels forward out of the hands at the moment of release toward the opposition’s dead-ball line.

Q: Should I code knock-ons/forward passes if advantage is played?

A: Yes. Code the moment the knock-on/forward pass advantage was given, regardless of whether play is brought back.

Q: How do I code a deliberate knock-on?

A: Deliberate knock-ons are coded as penalty infringements because they result in a penalty and can lead to a yellow card.

Q: What if the knock-on happens during an attempted pass/catch?

A: Code the knock-on at the moment it happened or when advantage was given or when the play was immediately stopped by the referee.

Q: How do I code knock-ons in lineout situations?

A: If a lineout is formed, treat the knock-on the same way—code it at the moment it was called out by the referee (advantage/immediately stops the play). If it causes a scrum, it remains a knock-on event (unless it was throw at line out not straight and you misinterpreted the hand signal).

Q: What if the ball hits the ground first and then goes forward?

A: If the ball hits the ground first, it’s not a knock-on from hands. Only code a knock-on when the ball goes forward from hands/arms before ground contact.

Q: How do I code errors inside a maul or ruck area?

A: If the error is a knock-on or forward pass (rare in a maul/ruck), code it at the moment it occurs. If it’s an unplayable ball leading to a scrum/turnover, that is not an infringement.

Q: Does intent matter for forward passes?

A: No. Forward passes are coded based on ball direction at release, not whether it was accidental.

Q: How do I code knock-ons during a quick throw?

A: If no lineout forms and a quick throw is taken, treat the action like open play. If the ball is dropped forward, code a knock-on at that moment.

Q: Do we need to code the double knock-on from both the Home and Opp team?

A: Yes.

Q: If the referee plays advantage, must I still code it?

A: Yes. You must still code the moment the knock-on or forward pass occurred, even if play is not brought back for a scrum.

Q: If there’s a Deliberate Knock On, how do I code it?

A: You must code it as an Infringement. Instead of a Scrum the offending team will get a Penalty and might even get a Yellow Card for it.
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​Q: If a player attempts a clearance kick from inside their 22 but it's charged down and goes forward. Is this a knock-on?
​A: No, because a charge down is not considered a deliberate knock-on.
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