U8
- Players must be younger than 8 years old by September 1, preceding the start of the season.
- Flag only
U10 – Light
- Players must be younger than 10 years old by September 1, preceding the start of the season.
- Weight < 80 lbs
U10 – Open
- Players must be younger than 10 years old by September 1, preceding the start of the season.
- Weight < 140 lbs
U12 – Light
- Players must be younger than 12 years old by September 1, preceding the start of the season.
- Weight < 109 lbs
U12 – Open
- Players must be younger than 12 years old by September 1, preceding the start of the season.
- Weight < 170 lbs
U8 Rookie Rugby
- Field – A field no larger than 60 yards in length and 40 yards in width. 40 x 25 is recommended for U8, though the size of the field can be adapted to suit the age, ability, and team size of the teams participating. The try zone should be 5 yards deep from the try line and clearly marked with cones.
- Time – A game is made up of two halves. It is recommended that each half last between 5 and 20 minutes, depending on player’s age and ability. Halftime should be 2 minutes in length.
- Gender – Mixed
- Ball Size – 3
- Kicking – No kicking
- Apparel – U8 players may wear leggings or tights as a safety precaution against abrasions ONLY during a game that is being played on artificial turf
- Players – Rookie Rugby is played between two teams with equal numbers of players on each team. Each team contains no more than seven players and no less than four. Each team may have an agreed number of substitutions. Substituted players may return to play, but only when play has stopped. Each player is encouraged to play every position on the field. Keep team numbers at or below 7v7! Rookie Rugby is about learning and participation. More players on the field means less opportunity for each player to pass, run, catch, defend, and score.
- Coaches – Coaches are allowed on the field of play to teach players general and positional play during the season, but will not be allowed on field at the end of season tournament. Prepare accordingly.
- Scrum – No scrums. Free pass is awarded to opposing team at the spot of the infraction.
- Lineout – If the ball is passed or carried out of bounds a free pass is used to restart play. The free pass should be one yard in field from the sideline, in line with the line of touch.
- Offside – An imaginary line is drawn through the ball once a flag is pulled, which indicates where the defense must be in order to play the ball. After a flag is pulled, all defensive players must retreat to in front of the ball Offside at a free pass is 5 yards from the ball. Defenders must not prevent the pass from being made.
- Flag Etiquette – While the offensive team attempts to move the ball forward, the defensive team will attempt to slow them down by pulling the ball carrier’s flag, simulating a tackle. Once the ball carrier’s flag is removed the game will continue by using the following flag etiquette:
- Step 1: Defender removes the flag, holds it up in the air and yells, “FLAG!” The defender is now out of play and should stand still.
- Step 2: The ball carrier must pass the ball to a teammate within three steps or three seconds. After the pass, the player with a flag missing is out of play.
- Step 3: While play continues, the defender must return the flag to the offensive player before they can return to play. The defender must hand the flag to the offensive player.
- Step 4: The player whose flag was removed must replace their flag on their belt before returning to play.
- Free pass – A free pass is an uncontested pass allowed from one player to a teammate. A free pass is used to start the following:
- Each half of the match at the center of the field.
- Restart after a try is scored. The non-scoring team restarts play from the center of the half way line.
- Restart after turnover or a penalty offense, from the spot of the infraction.
- After the sixth flag pull by the defense.
- To make a free pass, the referee calls “Play” and the player passes the ball backwards to a member of the player’s own team. The opposition team must remain five yards back from the free pass until the ball leaves the passer’s hands.
- If a free pass would otherwise occur within five yards of the try line, move the free pass five yards away from the try line.
- Turnover – A turnover will occur with the opposing team being awarded a free pass at the spot of the penalty for:
- Kicking
- Contact of any kind (pushing, tackling, fending, pushing away a defender’s attempt to pull a flag)
- Offside
- Obstruction
- Failing to pass the ball after three steps or three seconds
- Dangerous play – includes diving to score a try or to retrieve a ball on the ground
- Any act that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure
Quick Guide to U10
- Field – Recommended minimum 50×30 yards, field configuration marked with cones
- Time – 10-15 minute halves, 5 minutes half time
- Gender – Mixed
- Ball – Size 4
- Kicking – No conversion kicks or penalty shots unless the home team can provide goal posts Kicking is allowed, but the 22 meter line will be played at 10 yards from the try line
- Players – 10 per side (3 forwards/7 backs)
- Weight – Refer to Junior Youth Age-Weight Chart
- Apparel – U10 players may wear leggings or tights as a safety precaution against abrasions ONLY during a game that is being played on artificial turf.
- Tackle – All tackles must be below the armpit
- Scrums – Uncontested scrums will be 3-man. Opposition backlines back 4 yards. No forward pick-ups from the scrum. All forwards must be tightly bound into the scrum and props bound against the opposing props. Discourage early disengagement from the scrum.
- Lineouts – No lineouts. When the ball or ball carrier goes into touch. A free pass is awarded 5 yards from touch, level with where the ball or ball carrier went into touch. At a free pass, the opposition must be 8 yards back from the mark. The passer must start with the ball in both hands and, when the referee calls “Play”, pass the ball backwards through the air to a member of their team. For safety reasons, no player may run until the pass is made.
- Kick-Offs – Drop kick by scoring side to be rotated through multiple players.Opposition 8 yards back. If not a drop kick, receiving team chooses between a re-kick or a scrum at the center of the field with possession of the ball.
- Offside – Offside lines 8 yards from lineout and 4 yards from back of scrum.
- Penalties – If tap and pass option is chosen over kick or scrum, opposition must be 8 yards back.
- Foul Play – Players may fend to the body but not to the face, head or neck region. Emphasis on safe and proper contact. Among other things, the following shall apply (infractions must be penalized). At a minimum infractions related to IRB Law 10: Foul Play must be penalized.
- a. No ‘Scragg’ or “Horse Collar” tackling (pulling by shirt collar)
- b. No jersey slingingtackles
- c. No spearing player to ground consistent with IRB Law 10.4(j)
- d. No falling on or otherwise playing a player on theground
- e. Players must use arms to wrap in tackle in all instances, including tackling into touch
- f. Tackle must be belowarmpits
- g. “Fends” are legal but must be with an open palm and below the neck consistent with IRB Law 10.4 (a). A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head orknee(s).
- Sin-bin 5 minutes, to be served on the sidelines so that the coach may explain the related infraction
Quick Guide to U12
- Field – Recommended minimum 60×40 yards – field configuration marked with cones Time 15-20 minute halves, 5 minutes half time
- Gender – Mixed
- Ball Size – 4
- Kicking – No conversion kicks or penalty shots unless the home team can provide goal posts Kicking is allowed, but the 22 meter line will be played at the 10 yards from the tryline
- Players – 12 per side (5 forwards/7 backs)
- Weight – Refer Junior Age-Weight Chart
- Apparel – U12 players may wear leggings or tights as a safety precaution against abrasions ONLY during a game that is being played on artificial turf
- Tackle – All tackles must be below the arm pit
- Scrums – Uncontested scrums 5-man. Opposition backlines back 4 yards. No forward pick-ups from the scrum.
- All forwards must be tightly bound into the scrum and props bound against the opposing props. Discourage early disengagement from the scrum.
- Defensive scrum-half must remain behind scrum center line until ball comes out of the scrum – penalty. After the ball is thrown in the defending scrum-half may move to behind the last feet of the defending scrum, consistent with IRB Law 20.12(d).
- Lineouts – Contested lineout throw, no lifting, ball must be thrown straight.
- Kick-Offs – Drop kick by scoring side to be rotated through multiple players. Opposition 8 yards back. If not a drop kick, receiving team chooses between a re-kick or a scrum at the center of the field with possession of the ball.
- Offside – Offside lines 8 yards from lineout and 4 yards from back of scrum
- Penalties – If tap and pass option is chosen over kick or scrum, opposition must be 8-yards back Referees Trained Junior Youth Referee preferred
- Foul Play – Players mayfend to the body but not to the face, head or neck region. Emphasis on safe and proper contact. Among other things, the following shall apply (infractions must be penalized). At a minimum infractions related to IRB Law 10: Foul Play must be penalized. See http://www.irblaws.com/downloads/EN/Law_10_EN.pdf
- a. No ‘Scragg’ or “Horse Collar” tackling (pulling by shirt collar)
- b. No jersey slinging tackles
- c. No spearing player to ground consistent with IRB Law 10.4 (j)
- d. No falling on or otherwise playing a player on the ground
- e. Players must use arms to wrap in tackle in all instances, including tackling into touch
- f. Tackle must be below armpits
- g. “Fends” are legal but must be with an open palm and below the neck consistent with IRB Law 10.4 (a). A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).
- Sin-bin 5 minutes, to be served on the sidelines so that the coach may explain the related infraction
