The laws of the game
(THE RUGBY CONTINUUM: The Rugby Continuum is a playing and coaching pathway by which Clubs and Schools introduce the game of rugby to young players. This is done in three incremental stages (referred to as "Mini-Midi Rugby") so that by Under 13 players have acquired the skills and knowledge required to participate in the full 15-a-side game.
Each stage has its own rules distinguishing it from the adult game and should not be considered as being merely a shortened version of senior rugby.
This progression has been structured to accommodate the changing developmental abilities of children as they mature with the emphasis being on the improvement of individual skills through purposeful and enjoyable activity. Provision is made for testing these skills in match situations during a limited number of competitive fixtures and festivals/tournaments each season).
Quick guide to the law variations across the age groups
| U7 | U8 | U9 | U10 | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball Size | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| No of Players | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Playing Time | 20min | 20min | 30min | 30min | 40min | 40min | 50min | 50min | 60min | 70min |
| Pitch Size (Max) | 60 x 30m | 60 x 30m | 60 x 35m | 60 x 35m | 60 x 43m | 60 x 43m | Full size | Full size | Full size | Full size |
| Tackling style | Tag | Tag | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact |
| Start / Restart | Free pass | Free pass | Free pass | Free pass | Drop kick | Drop kick | Drop kick | Drop kick | Drop kick | Drop kick |
| Hand / Fend off | Penalty | Penalty | Penalty | Penalty | Penalty | Penalty | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Penalty | Free pass | Free pass | Free pass | Free pass | Kick | Kick | Kick | Kick | Kick | Kick |
| Free kicks | Free pass | Free pass | Free pass | Free pass | Kick | Kick | Kick | Kick | Kick | Kick |
| Conversion | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Place Kick | Place Kick | Place Kick | Place Kick | Place Kick | Place Kick |
| Kicking from hand | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fly-hacking | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lineout | Free pass | Free pass | 2 man (Un-Con) | 2 man (Con) | 4 man | 4 man | 8m (No lifting) | 8m (No lifting) | 8m (No lifting) | 8m (lifting OK) |
| Quick throw ins | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scrum | Free pass | Free pass | 3 man (Un-Con) | 3 man (Con) | 5 man | 5 man | 8 man | 8 man | 8 man | 8 man |
| Scrum half offside | N/A | N/A | Back foot of Hooker | Back foot of Hooker | Mid line of scrum | Mid line of scrum | Mid line of scrum | Mid line of scrum | Ball | Ball |
| Coach on pitch | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
