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Beginning Rugby Laws

BEGINNING RUGBY LAWS Under 6 - Under 7

 

These laws complement laws outlined in the Small Blacks Development Model.

   

No. on Field

7

7
  • These numbers are maximums.
  • Games must proceed with even numbers.
  • Balancing playing numbers & ability is to be encouraged.

Field Size

½

½
  • Goal to 10m (across field).
  • Portable goalposts are recommended.
  • The NZRU recommend portable posts by POWA PRDOUCTS.

Try

5pts

5pts
  • Score blowouts have a detrimental effect on both teams.
  • If score blowouts are occurring ie. 30+ at halftime,

be prepared to mix and match players to gain a more even contest.

Ball Size

2 ½

2 ½
  • Balls will be colour coded for each size.
  • NZRU recommends Gilbert balls.
  • Size 2 ½ = orange, Size 3 = blue, Size 4 = green.

Tackle

 

 
  • Can substitute Rippa Rugby at this level.

Subs

Rolling

Rolling
  • All Players must play at least half a game.

Scrums

No

3person
  • No pushing and no contest.
  • Safety is paramount.

Lineouts

No

3person
  • Lineouts not to be contested.
  • There is to be no lifting at any level.

Kick off

Tap & Pass

Tap & Pass

 

Kicking (gameplay)

Discouraged

Discouraged
  • This is discouraged at both levels.

Lengths Game

2 x 20

2 x 20
  • These are maximums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCORING/RESTART

  •              A try is scored by grounding the ball on or over the goal line. 
  •              The non-scoring team will restart play with a tap kick from halfway. (Free pass for Rippa rugby)
  •              The opposing team will be back five metres from halfway.

TACKLE

  •              A tackle comprises a two- handed tag/touch on the waist. (A rip for Rippa Rugby.)   
  •              The ball carrier must pass the ball within three steps of being tagged/touched/ripped. 
  •              The referee will penalise the player if they continue to run after a tag/touch/rip.
  •              NO FENDING, BARGING OR PUSHING PERMITTED.

SCRUM (Under 7 only)

  •              The side throwing the ball in to the scrum wins the ball, i.e. no contest and no pushing.
  •              The opposing team cannot advance until the halfback has played the ball. 
  •              The opposing halfback must remain behind the scrum.

LINEOUT (Under 7 only)

  •             A lineout will be formed two metres in from the sideline.
  •              The opposing team cannot advance until the halfback has played the ball. 
  •             The opposing backline will be five metres back from the lineout.
  •              The side throwing the ball in to the lineout wins the ball. If the ball is not caught or goes over the  back,theball becomes “fair game”.
  •              If the throw isn’t straight, advantage applies to the non-offending team; otherwise the team gets one opportunity for a re-throw.

OFFSIDE

  •              In general play, players are in an offside position when they are in front of the ball when it was last  played by a teammate. 
  •             The referee will encourage the ball carrier to continue when players tag/touch/rip from an offside position.

PENALTY TAP KICK

  •              The referee will award a penalty tap kick for pushing, fending, taking the ball from the ball carrier’s hands, or continuing to run after a tag/touch. (Free pass for Rippa Rugby.)
  •             The defending team will be five metres back from the infringement mark.
  •              The ball must be passed from the tap.
  •              All penalties are tapped on the ground.

KNOCK-ON, FORWARD PASS

  •              Referees are to apply the advantage law generously to foster a free-flowing game.

APPOINTMENT OF THE REFEREE

  •              The home team will provide a referee or Beginning Rugby associate referee to officiate. 
  •              If no referee or Beginning Rugby associate referee from the home team is available, then a referee or Beginning Rugby associate referee from the visiting team will officiate.
  •             It is recommended that one referee will control the entire match.

COACHES ON FIELD

  •              A maximum of two coaches per team will be permitted on the field at any one time.
  •             For further reference read the Small Blacks Development Model Pocket Guide.