Rugby AGE GRADE Law VARIATIONS FOR Community RUGBY

Integrity ~ Respect ~ Solidarity ~ Passion ~ Discipline

rugby.ca Vision & Mission Statement

Vision

To foster an inclusive, welcoming environment so that players of every shape, size, gender, age, ability, and skill level are able to participate in developmentally appropriate, controlled, competitive and enjoyable games. Use the game as the best teacher for teamwork, co-operation and respect between participants, coaches, players, officials, parents, and fans.

Mission

Use a player-centred, developmentally driven and competition supported model to continually assess, adapt and improve age and developmentally appropriate law variations across Canada. We seek to ensure integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect are central tenants for all considerations, decisions and variations made.

Integrity – Respect – Solidarity – Passion – Discipline Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are typically worn in contact sports to protect the mouth from injury. The purpose of a mouth guard is to distribute the impact of a contact situation evenly throughout the mouth, potentially reducing the chances of injury. Previous studies have indicated that the wearing of mouth guards reduces the incidence of hard and soft oral injuries, jaw fractures and neck injuries (Ranalli, 2000; Knapik et al, 2007; Newsome et al, 2001). A study in New Zealand has reported a 47% reduction in dental injury claims following the introduction of compulsory wearing of mouth guards (Quarrie et al, 2005). Age Grade Law Variations for Community Rugby Rookie Rugby Under 7

Time Per Half - Maximum Time Maximum playing Ball Size Numbers Per Team Single Game Per Half - time for players per Recommended Festival day / event Size 3 4 7-10 7 60 Maximum min min min 6 Safety Zone Size of Playing Area Restart Tackle Offside between Approximately 3m from Playing Areas 4 v 4 (20m x 15m) Flag is Tap & Pass Restart Tap & Pass Where the ball carrier 5m 6 v 6 stops after the flag pull (25m x 20m) at Half Pulled – not where the flag Excluding In-Goal is pulled (Max 3 steps)

Hand-Off Goal Kicking Kicking in Open Play Rucks Maul (Conversion / Penalties) No No No No No

Squeeze Ball Scrum Lineout Referee/Game Coach Penalties No / Tap & Tap & Pass from Game the mark where Tap & Pass No Pass Instead the ball exited play Manager

Substitutions Coaches on field Yellow Card Red Card Knock-On (not including Time Out (2min) Rolling Subs Game Manager) Player sits out for a short period to Play on get coaches feedback on foul No Where Yes play (Learning opportunity). Possible Player to be replaced for equal numbers

Integrity – Respect – Solidarity – Passion – Discipline Age Grade Law Variations for Community Rugby Rookie Rugby Under 9

Maximum Time Maximum Time Maximum playing Ball Size Numbers Per Team Per Half - Per Half - time for players per Recommended Single Game Festival day / event Size 3 6 15 7 60 Maximum min min min 8 Safety Zone Size of Playing Area Restart/Kick Off Tackle Offside between Approximately 3m from Playing Areas 6 v 6 (35m x 25m) Tap & Pass Flag is Tap & Pass Restart Where the ball carrier 5m 8 v 8 at Half stops after the flag pull (35m x 25m) (Punt / Drop Kick permitted Pulled – not where the flag Excluding In-Goal if league agrees ) is pulled (Max 3 steps)

Hand-Off Goal Kicking Kicking in Open Play Rucks Maul (Conversion / Penalties) No No No No No

Squeeze Ball Scrum Lineout Referee/Game Coach Penalties Tap & Pass from Game No / Tap & the mark where Tap & Pass No Pass Instead the ball exited play Manager

Substitutions Coaches on field Yellow Card Red Card (not including Time Out (2min) Rolling Subs Game Manager) Player sits out for a short period to get coaches Permitted feedback on foul play (Learning No on field if opportunity). Player to be needed replaced for equal numbers

Integrity – Respect – Solidarity – Passion – Discipline Age Grade Law Variations for Community Rugby Rookie Rugby Under11 (transition to contact)

Maximum Time Maximum Time Maximum playing Ball Size Numbers Per Team Per Half - Per Half - time for players per Recommended Single Game Festival day / event Size 3 or 4 8 20 10 70 Maximum min min min (Equal playing time encouraged) 9 Safety Zone Size of Playing Area Restart/Kick Off Tackle Hand-Off Yes - between Festival Playing Areas Kicking team cannot Below Waist 35m x 30m advance until ball (Ball Carrier and tackler to has travelled 7m. place ball and roll away) 5m Single Game Unsuccessful kicks No 60m x 35m result in a Free Kick to the opposition at centre. Excluding In-Goal Goal Kicking Kicking in Open Play Rucks Offside Maul (Conversion / Kicking from hand permitted Penalties) so long as the ball lands in the YES - 1 v 1 At the back field of play. Sanction = Contested free kick to foot of the No No opposition Rucks from where ruck ball was (No pick and go from kicked support players)

Squeeze Ball Scrum Lineout Referee/Game Coach Penalties YES - 3 v 3 Uncontested Yes Game Tap & Pass (No Push and opposing 2 receivers from each 9 does not challenge) team uncontested. Manager No (Nearest 4 players from each team join the scrum)

Substitutions Coaches on field Yellow Card Red Card Rolling Subs (not including Game Manager) Time Out Recommend not, Festival 2min Single Game 5min No but permitted on Player sits out for a short period to get coaches feedback on foul play field if needed (Learning opportunity) Player to be replaced for equal numbers

Integrity – Respect – Solidarity – Passion – Discipline AGE GRADE VARIATIONS FOR CLUB RUGBY (Contact Rugby) Age Grade Law Variations for Community Rugby Under13

Maximum Time Per Maximum Time Maximum playing Ball Size Maximum Number Half - Single Game Per Half - time for players per Per Team Festival day / event Size 25 4 or 5 min 15 70 13 12.5min min min quarter where required for player welfare Number of Number of Safety Zone Size of Playing Area Restart/Kick Off Forwards Backs between Playing Areas Drop-Kick Ball must land between Apply World 70m x 60m the 10m and 22m line. 6 7 Allow one re-kick if not Rugby Laws of (Play to 5m lines) successful, then sanction if requires with Free Kick the Game from half to opposition Tackle Hand-Off Goal Kicking Kicking in Open Play Rucks Yes - (Conversion) Kicking from hand permitted In front of posts so long as the ball lands in Apply World Yes the field of play. Sanction = Below Waist (Both drop kick No contact to free kick to and kicking off Rugby Laws the head or neck opposition Tee encouraged). from where of the Game permitted Within 1min in ball was festival matches kicked

Maul Squeeze Ball Scrum Lineout Referee or Coach Apply World 6 v 6 6 v 6 Games to be Rugby Laws (Hookers contest but no Contested (jump) with officiated by No push) (9 in posession must no support. Ref to mark a certified of the Game pass & Opposing 9 does not 3m for front of lineout) referee if challenge- no 8 pick) Use or Lose possible Application to limit length of time of Maul

Penalties Substitutions Coaches on Field Yellow Card Red Card Tap & Pass (not including Rolling Subs Game Manager) Yes Kicking out of hand is Time Out Player is removed permitted within Festival 2min from the remainder the 22m line of Single Game 5min of the game but defending line. No Player sits out for a short period to must be replaced get coaches feedback on foul play Ball must land to keep equal (Learning opportunity) Player to be numbers in field of play replaced for equal numbers

Integrity – Respect – Solidarity – Passion – Discipline Age Grade Law Variations for Community Rugby Under 15

Maximum Time Per Maximum Time Maximum playing Ball Size Maximum # Half - Single Game Per Half - time for players per Size 4 Per Team Festival day / event Recommended 30 Size 5 min 20 90 Acceptable 15 15min min min quarter where required for player welfare Number of Number of Safety Zone Size of Playing Area Restart / Kick Off Forwards Backs between Drop Kick Playing Areas Full Field Ball must land between Apply World the 10m and 22m line. 8 7 Allow one re-kick if not Rugby Laws successful, then sanction if requires with Free Kick of the Game from half to opposition Tackle Hand-Off Goal Kicking Kicking in Open Play Rucks Yes (Conversions) Yes Below Waist Yes Ball must land in the field of Apply World Yes - Inside play. Sanction = free kick to No contact to 15m line if opposition Rugby Laws the head or neck scored out wide. from where of the Game permitted (Both drop kick and ball was kicked. kicking off Tee encouraged) Exception: kicks from penalties Maul Squeeze Ball Scrum Lineout Match Official Apply World 8 v 8 Ref to mark 3m for Games to be Rugby Laws of Contested front of lineout. officiated by the Game No (1.5m Push) a certified All infringements are referee Use or Lose Application Free Kicks at 15m, to limit length of except foul play time of Maul Penalties Substitutions Coaches on field Yellow Card Red Card (not including Ref) Apply Rolling Subs 5 min Yes World Coaches not Rugby permitted on the field of play Laws of during games the Game

Integrity – Respect – Solidarity – Passion – Discipline Age Grade Law Variations for Community Rugby Under 17

Maximum Time Per Maximum Time Maximum playing Ball Size Maximum # Half - Single Game Per Half - time for players per Per Team 35 Festival day / event Size 5 min 20 90 15 17.5min min min quarter where required for player welfare Number of Number of Recommended Safety Zone Size of Playing Area Forwards Backs Squad Size between Playing Areas 20 Players Full Field 8 7 Subs must include Apply World suitably trained front Rugby Laws row players (See WR Scrum Ready) of the Game

Restart / Kick Off Tackle Hand-Off Goal Kicking Kicking in Open Play (Conversions) Drop Kick Yes Apply Ball must land between Below Waist Yes Apply World World the 10m and 22m line. No contact to Allow one re-kick if not Rugby Rugby the head or neck successful, then sanction Laws of Laws of if requires with Free Kick permitted from half to opposition the Game the Game Rucks Maul Squeeze Ball Scrum Lineout 8 v 8 Apply World Apply World Apply World Contested Rugby Laws of Rugby Laws Rugby Laws No (1.5m Push) the Game of the Game of the Game All infringements are Free Kicks at 15m, except foul play

Match Official Penalties Substitutions Coaches on field Yellow Card (not including Ref) Games to be Apply Rolling Subs 7 min officiated by Coaches not 30min Half = 5min a certified World 35min half = 7min Rugby permitted on referee the field of play Red Card Laws of during games the Game Yes

Integrity – Respect – Solidarity – Passion – Discipline Age Grade Law Variations for Community Rugby Under 19

Maximum Time Per Maximum Time Maximum playing Ball Size Maximum # Half - Single Game Per Half - time for players per Per Team 35 Festival day / event Size 5 min 20 90 15 17.5min min min quarter where required for player welfare Number of Number of Maximum Safety Zone Size of Playing Area Forwards Backs Squad Size between No limit Playing Areas Full Field 8 7 for season. Apply World 25 Rugby Laws for playoffs of the Game

Restart / Kick Off Tackle Hand-Off Goal Kicking Kicking in Open Play (Conversions) Drop Kick Yes Apply Ball must land between Below Waist Yes Apply World World the 10m and 22m line. No contact to Allow one re-kick if not Rugby Rugby the head or neck successful, then sanction Laws of Laws of if requires with Free Kick permitted from half to opposition the Game the Game Rucks Maul Squeeze Ball Scrum Lineout 8 v 8 Apply World Apply World Apply World No Contested Rugby Laws of Rugby Laws Rugby Laws (1.5m Push) the Game of the Game of the Game All infringements are Free Kicks at 15m, except foul play

Match Official Penalties Substitutions Coaches on field Yellow Card (not including Ref) Games to be Apply Rolling Subs 7 min officiated by Coaches not 30min Half = 5min a certified World 35min half = 7min Rugby permitted on referee the field of play Red Card Laws of during games the Game Yes

Integrity – Respect – Solidarity – Passion – Discipline First Aid

All Age grade games in Canada should have appropriate first aid staff on site supported by and Emergency Action Plan. Rugby Canada and its provincial unions offer the First Aid In Rugby (FAIR) certification.

For interested parties, please contact your provincial union for more details.

Integrity – Respect – Solidarity – Passion – Discipline rugby.ca