Throwing the ball forward, or touching it so that you make it go forward, is illegal unless the ball is kicked. To pass the ball legally you must throw it either directly to your side or behind you. The ball may be kicked forward, but touching the ball any other way that causes it to go forward is a penalty unless it is charged down when the opposing team kicks the ball.

 

When a forward pass occurs, the referee will stop play and award a scrum to the opposing team to which has passed the ball forwards.