Under 8 Rules

8.1 The object of the game is to score a try (5 points) in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

8.2 The game is played between teams of equal numbers of players, each team containing not more than seven players and not less than five players. Note: Pitch dimensions will be dictated by the number of players in each team.

8.3 The ball can only be passed sideways or backwards through the air - defined as ‘towards the player’s own try line and not handed to another player’. If the ball is passed forwards or handed to another player, a free pass restart is awarded to the opposition.

8.4 THE FREE PASS The game is started or restarted from the centre of the field, or after a penalty, with a free pass at the referee’s mark. The starter’s team must be behind the ball (i.e. nearer their own try line than the starter). Before the pass is taken, the opposing team must be 7 metres away, nearer their own goal-line.

If the place for the free pass is given within 7 metres of the goal-line, the free pass is to be taken at or behind the mark, on a line through the mark, at least 7 metres from the goal-line.

Note: At the free pass, the ball is held in two hands off the ground and is passed through the air to a team member. The referee is to ensure that the opposition are 7 metres back before indicating that play is to commence. The receiver of the free pass must start no more than 2 metres behind the passer but may be at any distance laterally across the width of the field of play. The passer must not run with the ball or dummy pass. Normal play resumes as the ball leaves the hand of the passer.

8.5 THE TOUCH TACKLE If a player running with the ball is touched with two hands at the waist / hip area by an opponent, the referee must shout ‘tackled’.

The tackled player must then pass immediately as detailed in paragraph 8.3 and 8.3. Players from the tackler's side must immediately start to retire towards their own goal line until they are at least 3 metres away from the tackled player. Players from the tackler's side within 3 metres of the tackled player, must not obstruct or interfere with play in any way. If they do so, a penalty may be awarded and the game will be restarted with a free pass. Coaches are encouraged to assist the referee in encouraging players to retire (see paras 8.12/8.12). If a player running with the ball is in the immediate act of touching the ball down for a try when touched by the tackler, a try should be awarded; otherwise the ball has to be passed. If a player, legally touched, fails to pass, the ball goes to the opposing team for a free pass re-start.

GUIDANCE Referees should always apply the advantage law whenever possible.

Referees should also be prepared to award a penalty against ball carriers who charge into opposing players.

Note 1: A tackle is performed when the ball-carrier is touched at the waist / hip area, and not above this area, by a tackler. To be considered as a valid tackle, both hands of the tackler must contact the waist / hip area of the ball-carrier simultaneously and not consecutively. If there is a distinct time difference between the contact time of the two hands, this does not constitute a tackle and play should therefore continue.

Note 2: Any player going to ground after a touch tackle must be allowed to regain his / her feet before passing the ball. If the player has been deliberately pushed to the ground the offender must be warned prior to play recommencing with a free pass.

8.6 When the ball, or player carrying the ball, goes into touch, the game shall be restarted with a free pass to the opponents of the team who carried or last touched the ball before it went into touch. The position of the free pass shall be 2 metres in from touch, parallel to the point where the ball or ball-carrier crossed the touchline. The team not restarting shall retire as for a free pass restart (detailed in 8.4 above).

8.7 A player must not hand-off or fend-off an opponent in any way. A hand-off or fend-off is defined as ‘any movement of the hand, arm or ball to ward off a would-be tackler’. Penalty: A free pass restart to the non-offending team.

Note: Players are recommended to carry the ball in two hands.

8.8 A player may not kick the ball. If this happens, possession goes to the non-offending team for a free pass restart at the point at which the ball was kicked.

8.9 After a try has been scored, the game restarts from the centre of the playing area with a free pass (as in 8.4 above) to the side which conceded the try. The restart shall not take place until the opponents have returned to a line 7 metres back from the centre, in the half they are defending.

8.10 In addition to the provision of Law 10 Foul Play, a player shall not use excessive force in tackling another player (such as pushing an opponent over), nor will a player carrying the ball deliberately barge or run into other players. Penalty: A free pass restart to the non-offending team.

When a ball-carrier is pushed or barged into touch without any attempt being made to tackle the ball-carrier, the tackler’s team must be penalised. The ball-carrier’s team will be awarded a free pass at a point 2 metres from the touchline, level with the place where the ball-carrier went into touch.

8.11 After any stoppage not covered in the Rules, the game shall restart with a free pass to the team who was moving forward or, if neither team was moving forward, to the team who was last in possession of the ball.

8.12 A game will be made up of two halves, each of up to ten minutes duration. During the interval, coaches should take adequate time to talk to, encourage, coach and explain the game to the players. During the game, coaches can direct and develop play, in a coaching sense, from on the field of play, ideally behind their teams.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
1. A size 3 ball should be used.

2. At this age group, games against outside opposition may take place, but certainly not more than twelve fixtures and three festivals (one in the Constituent Body and two other) in any one season.

3. Where clubs have large squads, additional fixtures / festivals may be arranged, provided that no player plays in more than the maximum number.

4. Definitions:
(a) Fixture / Triangular Fixture: The playing of Mini Rugby between teams of different schools / clubs, not more than three schools / clubs being involved together on any one day.

(b) Festival / Competition: The playing of Mini Rugby between more than three teams of different schools / clubs on a league basis, normally to establish a winner, all games taking place being part of one event.

At festivals no player is to play in more than 5 games.

Under 7 / under 8 match durations Fixture: 10 minutes each way • 1 game = 20 minutes Triangular: 71/2 minutes each way • 2 games = 30 minutes Festival / tournament: 5 minutes each way • Maximum of 5 games = 50 minutes

In all age groups matches must not be consecutive. A minimum period of 15 minutes should elapse after a game prior to a team playing again.

5. Games should be shortened if one side is scoring too freely (i.e. if the points difference rises to more than 30).

The emphasis should be on enjoyment. The children should be encouraged to enjoy the physical skills of running, passing and evasion, and they should be coached according to material available in the Mini/Midi Foundation or Level 1 coaching courses.

6. A coaching session should last no longer than 60 minutes with the addition of no more than 20 minutes devoted to match play against outside opposition.

8. The RFU strongly recommends the wearing of mouthguards. Ideally mouthguards should be custom made from a dental impression of the teeth. Individuals may choose to wear shinguards.

8. Coaches and referees are advised to check studs and other approved clothing before training sessions, games and tournaments in accordance with the Laws of the Game. In this version of the game there is a total emphasis on running with the ball, evasion, running in support of the ball-carrier, passing and running to touch the ball-carrier.

There is: • NO TACKLING • NO SCRUMMAGE • NO LINE-OUT • NO KICKING • NO HAND-OFF / FEND-OFF