Under 9 Rules

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

9.2 The game is played between teams of nine players, three (and no more) of whom will form the scrummage, with the remaining six forming the back line. Positions should be interchangeable.

9.3 The ball can only be passed sideways or backwards - defined as ‘towards the players own try line’. If the ball is passed forwards, an uncontested scrummage is awarded to the opposition.

9.4 THE FREE PASS The game is started or restarted from the centre of the field, or after a penalty, with a free pass. 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.

9.5 If the ball is passed forward or knocked on, an uncontested scrummage is awarded.

9.6 FOLLOWING A TACKLE Full tackling, as opposed to the touch tackle, is now permitted in all age groups from under-9 upwards. The tackler must immediately release the tackled player and get up or move away from the tackled player and the ball. The tackler must get up before playing the ball.
The tackled player must immediately pass or release the ball and must get up or move away from the ball. The tackled player may put the ball on the ground in any direction, or may push the ball along the ground in any direction, except forward (towards the opposition try line), providing this is done immediately.
The requirement for players not involved in the tackle to play the ball behind the tackled player, tackler or the ball does not apply until age groups under-11 and 12.

Note 1: Any tackle level with or above the armpit is to be considered a high tackle. Penalty: A free pass restart to the ball-carrier’s team

Note 2: The scrag type tackle (i.e. swinging the player round by the shirt) is to be considered dangerous play and must be penalised. Penalty: A free pass to the ball-carrier’s team. Note 3: Where a ruck or maul occurs, the offside line for players not in the ruck or maul is at the hindmost foot on their side of the ruck or maul. Penalty: A free pass restart to the non-offending team.On penalty restarts, a quickly taken free pass whilst the opponents are retiring is not permitted.

LAW NOTES: DEFINITION
LAW 17 - MAUL A maul occurs when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball-carrier’s team-mates bind on to the ball-carrier. It is helpful if the referee calls ‘maul formed’. • All the players involved are on their feet. • A maul ends successfully when the ball or a player with the ball leaves the maul. • A maul ends successfully when the ball is on the ground, or is on or over the goal-line. • A maul ends unsuccessfully if the ball becomes unplayable or collapses (not as a result of foul play) and a scrum is awarded. • When a maul remains stationary or has stopped moving forward for more than 5 seconds, but the ball is being moved and the referee can see it, a reasonable time is allowed for the ball to emerge. If it does not emerge within a reasonable time, a scrum is ordered. It is helpful in all maul situations if the referee calls “use it or lose it” prior to awarding a scrum. • When a maul has stopped moving forward it may start moving forward again providing it does so within 5 seconds. If the maul stops moving forward for a second time, and if the ball is being moved and the referee can see it, a reasonable time is allowed for the ball to emerge. A scrum is awarded if it does not emerge within a reasonable time.

Scrum following maul The ball is thrown in by the team not in possession when the maul began. If the referee cannot decide which team had possession, the team moving before the maul stopped throws in the ball. If neither team was moving forward, the attacking team throws in the ball.

Summary At least three players form the maul, all on their feet; the ball-carrier and one player from each team.

LAW 16 - RUCK A ruck occurs where one or more players from each team, who are on their feet, in physical contact, close around the ball on the ground. Players are rucking when they are in a ruck and using their feet to try to win or keep possession of the ball, without being guilty of foul play. • A ruck ends successfully when the ball leaves the ruck, or when the ball is on or over the goal-line. • A ruck ends unsuccessfully when the ball becomes unplayable and a scrum is awarded.

Scrum following ruck The team that was moving forward immediately before the ball became unplayable in the ruck throws in the ball. If neither team was moving forward, or if the referee cannot decide which team was moving forward before the ball became unplayable in the ruck, the team that was moving forward before the ruck began throws in the ball. If neither team was moving forward, then the attacking team throws in the ball. Before the referee blows the whistle for a scrum, the referee allows a reasonable amount of time for the ball to emerge. If the ruck stops moving, or if the referee decides that the ball will probably not emerge within a reasonable time, the referee must order a scrum.

Summary The ball is on the ground with at least one player from each team on their feet, close to the ball, and in physical contact. It is helpful if the referee calls “ruck formed”.

9.7 If, after a tackle or a ruck, the ball becomes unplayable, an uncontested scrummage is awarded. The scrummage is awarded to the team that was moving forward immediately prior to the tackle, or if no team was moving forward, to the attacking team (the team in the opponents’ half of the pitch).

9.8 - THE UNCONTESTED SCRUMMAGE The scrummage will be made up of one row of three players (and no more) from each team, i.e. a prop on either side of the hooker. The team awarded the scrummage will throw the ball into the scrummage and must be allowed to win it without contest. Opponents cannot push or strike for the ball. If they do, a free pass restart is awarded to the team throwing the ball into the scrum. With these exceptions, the Laws of the Game pertaining to the scrummage will apply.

The players from each team will bind together approximately half a metre apart, each prop will then touch the upper arm of his opponent, then pause before the engagement. The referee will talk the players through the engagement procedure in the sequence Crouch, Touch, Pause and Engage. On the grounds of safety, it is important that the referee manages the engagement of every scrum in this way.

SCRUM SAFETY GUIDANCE FOR REFEREES AND COACHES • Front rows must not be allowed to charge at each other • If they start to engage too close together and with necks and backs bent, they must be stopped and the scrummage reformed • Props’ body positions should be parallel to the touchline (not boring in) • If the scrummage collapses, the whistle should immediately be blown and the appropriate penalty awarded, or the scrummage reset • If a player is persistently involved in collapsing or illegal binding he must be replaced • If a player’s lack of technique or strength is a danger then he should be replaced.

9.9 The back line of the team not throwing the ball into the scrummage must remain 7 metres behind the scrummage, until the ball emerges or the scrum-half places his hand on it. Until this happens the opposing scrum-half must remain directly behind his scrum.

9.10 Offside in general play shall be penalised in accordance with the Laws of the Game. A player offside in general play is to be penalised for being offside unless that player is making an obvious attempt to return to an onside position. Penalty: A free pass restart to the non-offending side.

9.11 When the ball, or player carrying the ball, goes into touch, the game shall be restarted with 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 7 metres in from touch, parallel to the point where the ball or carrier crossed the touchline. The team not restarting shall retire as for a free pass restart in 9.4 above.

9.12 After a try has been scored, the game restarts from the centre with a free pass (as in 9.4 above). 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.

9.13 A player must not hand-off or fend-off an opponent in any way. A hand 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 opposition.

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

9.14 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.

9.15 Following an infringement for: • offside • high or late tackle • obstruction • hand-off / fend-off • kicking • scrum feeding • striking for the ball and pushing in the scrummage

the game is restarted with a free pass to the non-offending team. The offending team must retire 7 metres from the point of restart, towards their own goal-line.

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

9.17 A game will be made up of two halves, each of not more than 15 minutes duration. During the interval, coaches should take adequate time to talk to, encourage, coach and explain the game to the players.

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

2. Tackling must be introduced progressively, using the stages described in the Mini/Midi Foundation or Mini/Mini Level 1 Coaches Handbooks.

3. The formation of the scrummage must be introduced in a progressive way following the stages described in ‘Even Better Rugby’ with great emphasis placed on body position, foot placement, binding, throwing the ball into the scrummage and hooking techniques.

4. At this age, players may play a maximum of twelve fixtures and not more than three festivals (one in the Constituent Body and two others) in any one season. The emphasis remains on providing the children with an enjoyable introduction to the skills of the game. Competition is of secondary importance.

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

6. 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 9 / under 10 match durations Fixture: 15 minutes each way • 1 game = 30 minutes Triangular: 10 minutes each way • 2 games = 40 minutes Festival / tournament: 7 minutes each way • Maximum of 5 games = 70 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.

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

8. 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.

9. A coaching session should last no longer than 60 minutes with the addition of no more than 30 minutes devoted to match play.

10. On match days against outside opposition, a coaching session should normally precede the match. Matches should be used as an extension of the coaching session, with the emphasis being on the quality of performance rather than the result.

11. 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.

12. Coaches and referees are advised to check studs and other approved clothing before training sessions, games or tournaments in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

In this version of the game there is: • NO LINE-OUT • NO KICKING • NO HAND-OFF / FEND-OFF