NEW ZEALAND RUGBY LEAGUE® GUIDE TO THE LAWS OF MINI-MOD FOOTY NZRL Publication January 2010 THIS BOOKLET IDENTIFIES THE MAJOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE MINI FOOTY LAWS OF MODIFIED GAMES. WHERE NO MODIFICATIONS ARE (Under 6 - Under 9 Years) MENTIONED, INTERNATIONAL LAW APPLIES. The Mini-Mod programme is unashamedly about young players first, Classification of Players in the relevant age group to be their interests and needs as a child – then, and importantly their Groups by age under that age prior to 1st January development and preparation for the International Law game and 68 x 30 metres. its demands. Size of Field U9 Yrs. Only in exceptional For physically bigger teams U9 – In this way children can develop a ‘love’ of the game. circumstance 68 x 40m. But, both teams must agree otherwise regulation field to be used. Mini-Mod has two strands. No. of Players on Maximum 8; Minimum 6. Mini is an introductory phase that emphasises a positive experience Field Teams must have equal playing numbers through fun and enjoyment, participation, a safe playing environment on the field (the referee can direct a and the development of basic movement skills. player be replaced) Mod, still emphasising all those aspects mentioned above, now focuses Coaches As a guide coaches may be present on on technical skills. the field to assist their young players in the following circumstances: The League has taken great care to ensure youngsters experience • All year for under 6’s their football in a controlled way that reflects their needs. • The first half of the season for Under 7’s Mini-Mod games are designed so that the player’s development can be matched gradually, progressively and sequentially to the complexities 4 Tackles The game is of 4 tackles and demands of the adult game. No Scrums There are no scrums in Mini Footy All of this, a child oriented philosophy, is conditioning bright and happy children to be drawn to Rugby League through rewarding and satisfying No Finals No finals are played. Competition points experiences. In this way Mini-Mod is a recruitment and retention tool are not applied in these grades which must necessarily be supported by good club climate, coaches and Periods of Play 3 x 10 minute periods parents. Intervals 3 minutes between periods This booklet should be read in conjunction with the Minimum Playing Each player to play a minimum of Time per Player one unbroken period of 10 minutes Contributors: Steve Briant, John McKeown, Kevin Bailey, Dennis Ward Injury Time No time off for injury Replacement A player may only be replaced as Goal Line Drop-out • Ball made dead by defending team. a result of injury or after playing one full Ball must travel 5 metres forward 10 minute ‘period’ of play 20 Metre Tap • Ball made dead by opposition. Player Misconduct Sin Bin is not applicable. The referee Restart with a tap kick at the centre may direct that a player be replaced of the 20 metre line Play the Ball P.t.B • No markers allowed Ball into Touch – When the ball is required to travel Team not in • Team not in position must retire From Starts & 5 metres forward and it lands in the field possession 5 metres from the P.t.B. and, Restarts of play and then enters touch, the kicking side will P.t.B 10 metres in field opposite • Cannot advance unless the acting half- where the ball entered touch, with a back runs or the ball has been passed zero tackle and is in the hands of the first receiver Try All tries scored are worth 4 points Passing from P.t.B 2 or more passes to retain possession Goal Kicks • Only after a try has been scored Passing within 20m One pass only. The acting half-back of own Goal Line must pass the ball for the team to retain • Place or drop kick in front of goal posts possession, or run and score (hard yards) • Goal kicks to be taken in rotation by all Zero Tackle Count • A player fields a kick from (1) the start members of the team No count at first of play; (2) restart of play; (3) a penalty tackle if - kick Change of • The 4th tackle • A player (1) picks up the ball dropped Possession by an opponent; (2) intercepts a pass; Occurs after - • Knock-on or forward pass (3) gains possession after the ball has been deliberately touched by an • Acting half-back or 1st receiver runs opponent with the ball and is tackled before scoring (refer Passing within 20 metres Starts of Play • The non-kicking side to retire 5 metres of own Goal Line – ‘hard yards’) Commencement of • Player in possession runs into or is • The ball to travel 5 metres forward each period of play tackled into touch before either side touches the ball Kicking Is not allowed Restarts of Play In all following instances the non-kicking In general play team is to retire 5 metres Held up in Goal • Play is restarted by the player in After Points Scored • Non-scoring team to restart play with possession. P.t.B. 5 metres out from a place-tap kick from the centre of half the goal line and opposite where held way up Held up in Goal • If a player in possession is held up on MOD LEAGUE Cont’d the 4th tackle, the opposition will P.t.B. (Under 10 - Under 11 Years) 5 metres out and the tackle count is zero Stripping of the No stripping or stealing of the ball in Ball a tackle Classification of Players in the relevant age group to be Groups by age under that age prior to 1st January NOTES Size of Field 80 x 48 metres No. of Players on Maximum 11; Minimum 8. Teams must Field have equal playing numbers on the field At any one time (unless a player has been dismissed without replacement) Coaches Not permitted on the field at any time during play Finals Points are not awarded for fixtures/ matches. No Finals are Played. 6 Tackles The game is of 6 tackles Periods of Play 2 x 20 minute halves Intervals 5 minutes Minimum Playing Each player to play a minimum of one Time per Player unbroken half, 20 minutes, of the match Injury Time No time off for injury Replacement A player may only be replaced as a result of injury or after playing one full 20 minute half of the match Player Misconduct Sin Bin is not applicable. The referee may direct that a player be replaced Play the Ball P.t.B • Only one marker allowed and must 20 Metre Tap • Ball made dead by opposition. Restart Team not in always be present with a tap kick at the centre of the possession 20 metre line • T eam not in possession must retire 5 metres from the P.t.B. and, Ball into Touch – When the ball is required to travel From Starts & 10 metres forward and it lands in the • Cannot advance unless the acting half- Restarts field of play and then enters touch, the back runs or the ball has been passed kicking side will P.t.B 10 metres in field and is in the hands of the first receiver opposite where the ball entered touch, with a zero tackle Passing from P.t.B 2 or more passes to retain possession Try All tries scored are worth 4 points Passing within One pass only. The acting half-back 20m of own Goal must pass the ball for the team to retain Goal Kicks • Only after a try has been scored Line possession or run and score (hard yards) • Place or drop kick in front of goal posts Zero Tackle Count • A player fields a kick from (1) the start No count at first of play; (2) restart of play; (3) a penalty • Goal kicks to taken in rotation by all tackle if - kick members of the team • A player (1) picks up the ball dropped Change of • The 6th tackle by an opponent; (2) intercepts a pass; Possession (3) gains possession after the football Occurs after – • Knock on or forward pass has been deliberately touched by an opponent • Acting half-back or first receiver runs with the ball and is tackled before Starts of Play • The non kicking side to retire scoring (refer Passing within 20 metres Commencement of 10 metres of own Goal Line – ‘hard yards’) each period of play • The ball to travel 10 metres forward • Ball kicked in general play and before either side touches the ball bounces into touch. P.t.B 10 metres in from where the ball crossed the touch Restarts of Play In all following instances the non kicking line – zero tackle team is to retire 10 metres • Ball kicked in general play goes into After Points Scored • Non scoring team to restart play with touch on the full. P.t.B where kicked a place kick from the centre of half way –zero tackle Goal Line Drop-out • Ball made dead by defending team. Ball must travel 10 metres forward Change of • Ball ricochets or rebounds from a Scrum Formation • Scrums are completely de-powered Possession Cont’d player of the non-kicking team and Refer Safe Play and form up to the instruction: goes into touch. Non-kicking team Code Form – Engage – Hold P.t.B. 10 metres in-field from where the ball crossed the touch line – • All players, except the hooker, to keep 1st tackle both feet on the ground • ‘Bombs’ or attempted field goals, • No pushing, pulling or rotating change over where kick took place • Ball to go into the tunnel, i.e.