Play-the-ball

[Zipporah Schumaker]

Play-the-ball in Rugby League. A tackled player must be released, once he indicates that he intends to play-the-ball. The player must then stand up and put the ball on the ground, and then kick or heel the ball in any direction. The team in possession is allowed five successive play-the-balls. On the sixth occasion, providing an opponent has not touched the ball, it is handed over to the opposition for them to play-the-ball.