I
AGE GRADE VARIATION RULES
Under 8 Co-ed Flag: (Flag Rugby Laws of the Game)
1. Seven minute quarters x 4=28 minutes total
2. Flag only
3. No scrums, rucks, mauls line-outs, or kicking
4. FIVE players per side with substitutions allowed at a stoppage in play
5. Start game with pass at mid-field
7. Coaches allowed on field during play (Referee makes calls, not coaches)
Under 10 Co-ed Tackle:
POSITION TITLES: OPEN
1. Seven minute quarters X 4=28 minutes total
2. No rucks, No mauls, No kicking
3. Uncontested scrums (3 meter offside line) The acting scrum half must be allowed to pass the ball from the back of the scrum unless it has been propelled by his team more than two meters from the scrum, at which point it will be considered available for contest. Referee will call “scrum over” when the scrum half has passed the ball or the ball has moved more than two meters from the scrum.
4. Uncontested line-outs (5 meter offside line) A player who successfully catches a ball in a line-out may not run, they must pass the ball.
5. SEVEN players per side, with substitutions allowed at each quarter break (except for injury)
6. Start game with pass at mid-field
Tackle situations: When a ball carrier is brought to ground by a tackler, the referee will shout “tackle”. The tackler must release the ball carrier, get to feet and retreat 3 meters (three big steps). All of the tackler’s team must be behind the tackler. The referee should retreat with the tackler to mark the correct distance. The ball carrier must present the ball for a team mate coming from an on-side position, entering through the tackle gate, who then MUST pass the ball for play to continue. Tackled players must present the ball by placing it on the ground. The tackled ball carrier may then get back on his feet without delay and is NOT required to lay by the ball. A tackled player on the ground may not play the ball by pop passing it to an oncoming teammate. Referees, do not allow multiple tacklers on one ball carrier. If a ball carrier is held by a defender but not brought to ground or, if multiple defenders attempt to tackle the ball carrier the referee shall blow whistle and say “held player, tackler release, pass ball”. If it appears to the referee that the ball carrier is likely to escape the tackler the referee will allow a few moments before calling “tackle”. The defense must retreat and the “held player” must pass the ball. Stripping of the ball is not allowed. There will be instances where more than one tackler arrives at the ball carrier simultaneously. In such cases they will attempt to bring the ball carrier to the ground without fear of a multiple tackler infringement call. The referee will call tackle if the ball carrier is “held up” and in the referee’s (not the coaches) opinion, there may be a risk of injury to the ball carrier or tacklers.
Under 12 Coed Tackle:
POSITION TITLES: OPEN
1. Seven minute quarters X 4=28 minutes total
2. Scrums are uncontested (3 meter offside line) The acting scrum half must be allowed to pass the ball from the back of the scrum unless it has been propelled by his team more than two meters from the scrum, at which point it will be considered available for contest. Referee will call “scrum over” when the scrum half has passed the ball or the ball has moved more than two meters from the scrum.
3. No rucks, No mauls
4. SEVEN players per side with substitutions only allowed at each quarter break (except for injury)
5. Line-outs are contested (5 meter offside line but when ball is caught the contesting stops (5 meter offside line). A player who successfully catches a ball in a line-out may not run, they must pass the ball.
6. Kicking is limited to kickoffs and restarting play. Team that scored kicks to non-scoring team.
Tackle situation: When a ball carrier is brought to ground by a tackler, the referee will shout “tackle”. The tackler must release the ball carrier, get to feet and retreat 3 meters (three big steps). All of the tackler’s team must be behind the tackler. The referee should retreat with the tackler to mark the correct distance. The ball carrier must present the ball for a team mate coming from an on-side position, entering through the tackle gate, who then MUST pass the ball for play to continue. The tackled ball carrier may then get back on his feet without delay and is NOT required to lay by the ball. A tackled player on the ground may not play the ball by pop passing it to an oncoming teammate. Referees, do not allow multiple tacklers on one ball carrier. If a ball carrier is held by a defender but not brought to ground or, if multiple defenders attempt to tackle the ball carrier the referee shall blow whistle and say “held player, tackler release, pass ball”. If it appears to the referee that the ball carrier is likely to escape the tackler the referee will allow a few moments before calling “tackle”. The defense must retreat and the “held player” must pass the ball. Stripping of the ball is not allowed. There will be instances where more than one tackler arrives at the ball carrier simultaneously. In such cases they will attempt to bring the ball carrier to the ground without fear of a multiple tackler infringement call. The referee will call tackle if the ball carrier is “held up” and in the referee’s (not the coaches) opinion, there may be a risk of injury to the ball carrier or tacklers.
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Under 13 Boys, Under 14 Boys:
POSITION TITLES: OPEN
1. Seven minute quarters X 4=28 minutes total.
2. Uncontested scrums progressing to push scrums, no more than 1 meter as season progresses (5 meter offside line)
3. Contested rucks
4. Contested mauls
5. Line-outs are contested (10 meter offside line) Referee will keep hand raised until line-out has ended.
6. SEVEN players per side, with substitutions allowed at each quarter break (except for injury)
7. Kicking is permitted during general play. Team that scored kicks to non-scoring team.
Rucks, mauls and line-outs are contested but the referee shall blow whistle very quickly as a safety stop when play breaks down.
Under 15 Boys
POSITION TITLES: OPEN
1. Seven minute quarters X 4=28 minutes total.
2. Contested scrums, no more than 1 meter push (5 meter offside line)
3. Contested rucks
4. Contested mauls
5. Contested line-outs (10 meter offside line) Referee will keep hand raised until line-out has ended.
6. SEVEN players per side with substitutions only allowed at each quarter break (except for injury)
7. Kicking is permitted during general play. Team that scored kicks to non-scoring team.
Clarifications:
1. Kicking is permitted in 13's, 15’s, and 17s in general play.
2. Kickoffs:
A. When the ball is kicked off, goes 10, bounces in play and then goes into touch, the lineout is given to the opposing team.
B. When the ball is kicked off, goes into “touch in goal” or through the dead ball line, the receiving team may choose either a re-kick or a scrum at midfield.
3. Scrums
A. No wheeling of scrums. Wheeling should be immediately whistled by the referee and a "do over" with the same team putting in the ball.
B. When scrums are contested, the push is for no more than 1 meter