Rugby Texas Policies & Guidelines on Youth Competitions

PROGRESSION OF PLAY

TABLE OF CONTENTS Facilities & Equipment ...... p.1 Field size Ball size

Uniform& Apparel ...... p.1

Cold Weather Considerations ...... p.1

Playing Time ...... p.1 Match time Total play time per day

Version of Play ...... p.1 Number of players on the field Substitutions Coach Placement

Contact/Set-Play Play ...... p.2 Tackling Rucks Mauls Scrums Lineout

Kicking ...... p.3 Start / Restart Open Field Kicking Conversions Penalty Kick at Goal

Referees & Penalties ...... p.3 Center Referee Assistant Referee (sideline) Yellow Cards Red Cards

Off-Field Conduct ...... p.3

Resources ...... p.4

Page 0 of 5 Rugby Texas Policies & Guidelines on Youth Competitions

PROGRESSION OF PLAY

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT Grouping (Level) Grades 7-8 / U15s Grades 5-6 / U13s Grades 3-4 / U11s Grades 1-2 / U9s Grades PK-K / u7s Field Size (meters) 100 x 70 70 x 40 70 x 35 70 x 35 30 x 20 Ball Size 4 4 4 3 3 Barriers 5 m (5 yd) spectator buffer marked by rope (preferred during full field play) or cones

UNIFORM & APPAREL

Grouping (Level) Grades 7-8 / U15s Grades 5-6 / U13s Grades 3-4 / U11s Grades 1-2 / U9s Grades PK-K / u7s Jersey Rugby Jersey or Similar Durable Shirt Shorts Rugby Short Rugby, Athletic Shorts (not basketball type) Knee High Socks / Soccer or Rugby Socks / Shoes Crew or Knee High Socks / Soccer Cleats or Cross Trainers Cleats (no tip cleat) IRB approved items only (no padded Padding Scrum Cap Only shorts) Under garments Full length leggings are prohibited. Eyewear IRB or Prescribed Athletic Goggle that is secured to the head by elastic band No Hair Caps or Bandanas, Hair must be secured with bands and/or headbands Head / Hair Items Athletic Caps permitted in Cold weather only Jewelry No visible jewelry (for safety reason, jewelry must be removed or adequately secured and covered)

Temperatures do not have to be freezing for hypothermia to occur. Youth are at greater risk of hypothermia than adults due to a greater surface-to-mass ratio and less subcutaneous fat. COLD WEATHER When temperatures are below 450F, or below 500F with windy or wet conditions, players must be CONSIDERATIONS allowed to lay clothing and minimize skin exposure. Time of play may also need to be reduced or competition canceled when ambient or wind-chill temperatures are near or at freezing.

MAXIMAL PLAYING TIME

Grouping (Level) Grades 7-8 / U15s Grades 5-6 / U13s Grades 3-4 / U11s Grades 1-2 / U9s Grades PK-K / u7s Playing Time / Match 50 mins 40 mins 30 mins Playing Time / Day 80 mins 70 mins 60 mins

VERSION OF PLAY

Grouping (Level) Grades 7-8 / U15s Grades 5-6 / U13s Grades 3-4 / U11s Grades 1-2 / U9s Grades PK-K / u7s 10 a-side 15 a-side (preferred) 7 a-side (preferred) Version (preferred) (# of players on field) 12, 10, 7 a-side 7 a-side 5 a-side

Substitutions Free substitution On-field behind On-field, free Sideline, between Sideline, 22m to Sideline, Goal to Coach Field Placement team, 10m from range, but 10m their 10m – 22 m 22m Goal play from play

Page 1 of 5 Rugby Texas Policies & Guidelines on Youth Competitions

PROGRESSION OF PLAY

CONTACT / SET PLAY

Grouping (Level) Grades 7-8 / U15s Grades 5-6 / U13s Grades 3-4 / U11s Grades 1-2 / U9s Grades PK-K / u7s Limited or No General Contact Non-Contact Contact Contact must be at or below Contact & wrap must below shoulders Tackling the waistline (navel) 2-hand Touch at shorts Wrap must be held to ground, No grab and pull down “Stiff Arming”, Hand contact at shoulders or below Ball Carrier not allowed to fend of the tackle (no stiff arm) Fending Off A Tackle Opposed None Rucks Regular IRB rules 1 player from each side only Ball must be released immediately 5 second rule, Use it or lose it Once tackled, the ball carrier must release the ball in a side lying position only (i.e. jackknife position). Safety Considerations At no time shall a player release the ball back between the legs while on the knees with the head down (i.e. “squeeze ball”) Opposed None No more than 3 from each team which Ball must be handed off to attacking Regular IRB rules Mauls includes the initial ball carrier teammate within 5 seconds or ball carrier taken to ground and ball 5 second rule, Use it or lose it released immediately Scrums Allowed No 15s = 8, 10s = 5 # in Scrum 12s & 10s = 5 7s = 3 Free kick 7s = 3 7s = 3 Contested? Yes, unless requested otherwise No Backline is back 5 mtrs. back 3 mtrs back Scrum half stays Behind ball Behind scrum Push limit -1 ½ meters push only None If front row player is sent off or injured, the scrum must be uncontested, if not replaced by a trained substitute Line-outs Yes None Contested? Yes free kick or pass # in Line Out IRB Rules (At least 2) Maximum of 2, includes thrower awarded Lifting? No Front player distance 5 mtrs. 3mtrs from touch line 15 mtr line Yes No n/a Backline is back 10 mtrs 5 mtrs 3 mtrs

Page 2 of 5 Rugby Texas Policies & Guidelines on Youth Competitions

PROGRESSION OF PLAY

KICKING

Grouping (Level) Grades 7-8 / U15s Grades 5-6 / U13s Grades 3-4 / U11s Grades 1-2 / U9s Grades PK-K / u7s Receiving team Drop Kick Drop Kick Punt Kick Start / Restarts “tap & go” at mid- 10 meters 5 meters 5 meters field Open field kicking Yes Yes No allowed? Only defensively, within the 22 meter Conversions Yes No Penalty kick at goal Yes No

REFEREES & PENALTIES

Grouping (Level) Grades 7-8 / U15s Grades 5-6 / U13s Grades 3-4 / U11s Grades 1-2 / U9s Grades PK-K / u7s Certified Coach (at minimum) Center Referee Certified Referee (preferable) Each Team Provides Touch Judge None (should have completed online course) Yellow Card (sin bin) Misbehavior, Repeated violations

10 min (12s, 15s) “Sin Bin” Time 5 min 4 min 3 min 2 min 3 min (7s, 10s) Red cards (removal) Flagrant misbehavior, Dangerous play Out for current game & the next Current game to the season, Out for current Period of Effect game or entire tournament, dependent on incident game only whichever is greater Replacement Allowed No Yes If front row player is sent off, a sub must be made at scrum time to have a replacement front row

forward come on. Reporting Red cards must be reported to Rugby Texas to be documented and tracked

OFF-FIELD CONDUCT DURING MATCH PLAY

Grouping (Level) Applies to All Levels Expectations Players, coaches, and spectators are to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times and abide by the Codes of Conduct Rugby established by USA Rugby, Rugby Texas and Rugby Texas Youth Committee. Violation 1 Warning. If safety is a concern, ejection from the area. Violation 2 Penalty kick or 10 meter advance given to opposing team (grades KP-K, 1-2, 3-4) If safety becomes a concern, ejection from the area. Violation 3 Continued poor conduct ejection from the area. Play is not to continue until the offending individual (or group) is out of the arena or at least 50 yards away. Such behavior from a coach may also include additional disciplinary action. Reporting Violations requiring action must be reported to Rugby Texas. Enforcement Off-field penalties may be given by Referee, Tournament Director, Club President, or Rugby Texas Disciplinary Official.

Page 3 of 5 Rugby Texas Policies & Guidelines on Youth Competitions

PROGRESSION OF PLAY

Resources Australian Rugby Referees http://www.rugby.com.au/referees/Laws.aspx Irish RFU Guidelines for Youth Rugby English RFU South California Youth Rugby http://www.socalyouthrugby.org/Regulations.htm Long-term player development in rugby – how are we doing in South Africa?, SAJSM, Vol 22, No 3, 2010. Field size and times of for young rugby players in USA Rugby (http://usarugby.org/youth-resources) USA Rugby – Rookie Rugby 2014-15 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook NFHS Sports Medicine Handbook 2011 National Athletic Trainers’ Association

Page 4 of 5