Rugby Union Rules: Tip-Off Procedure

Pre-Tip-Off Procedures

• One player from each team, referred to as a centre, enters the centre circle before the tip-off.
• The centres position themselves on the same side of the centre line as the try line they are defending.
• All other players must position themselves outside of the centre circle.

Tip-Off Administration

• Referee 1 blows the whistle to indicate the start of legal contact and enters the centre circle.
• The referee tosses the ball vertically between the centres, ensuring it reaches a height greater than either of them can reach.
• The ball must be touched at least once by at least one of the centres before it touches the floor.

Tip-Off Re-Take Situations

• The tip-off is re-taken if there is a simultaneous violation by both teams.
• The tip-off is re-taken if the ball touches the floor before it is touched by a centre.
• The tip-off is re-taken if Referee 1 makes a bad toss.

Alternating Possession

• Teams alternate taking possession of the ball at the start of the second, third, and fourth periods of regulation time.
• Teams also alternate possession following each held ball.
• The team that does not gain possession of the ball after the tip-off is awarded the first possession under the alternating possession procedure.
• The alternating possession directional arrow indicates the direction of play for the next possession.