THE LAWS OF MINI RUGBY
Mini Rugby has been broken down into 4 distinct stages which progressively introduce and develop the fundamental skills of Rugby Football, regulations as follows:
Regulation |
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Stage 4 |
| Suggested age group(s) | 8's | 9's and 10's | 11's and 12's | 13's |
| Ball size | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Time per half - single match (min) | 15 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Time per half - blitz days | 7 | 7 | 7 | 15 |
| No of matches allowed on blitz days | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Time allowed for half time | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| No of players in team | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 |
| No of forwards | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| No of backs | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Safety zone between pitches | 6 | 6 | 6 | N/A |
| Tackle height | Waist | Waist | Waist | Waist |
| Hand off | No | No | Below Shoulder | Below Shoulder |
| Time allowed for rucks and mauls | 5 sec | 5 sec | 5 sec | 5 sec |
| No of players allowed in R/M per side | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Kicking allowed | No | No | Defence Zone Only | Own 22 + Other |
| Start match | Pass Off | Pass Off | Kick Off | Kick Off |
| Method of scoring | Try | Try | Try | Try and Conversion |
| Minimum no of players on panel (blitz days) | 12 | 12 | 14 | 17 |
| Line out | No | 2 Man | 5 Man | 6 Man |
| Scrum | No | 3 Man | 5 Man | 6 Man |
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Regulations regarding Mini Rugby
The IRFU feels strongly that due to variations in the physical, mental, social and emotional developments of young children, players under the age of 7 should not be encourages to play full contact games. Children in this age group should be introduced to Rugby Union through Leprechaun Rugby as per the Mini Rugby Handbook.
Start of Match and or Restarts:
Stage 1 & 2:
All starts and restarts are by pass off and must be on the whistle. The opposition must retire 10m from the ball and can only move once the scrum half/passer places their hands on the ball.
At the start of both halves and after a try, the pass off from the centre of the pitch, will be used to restart the game.
Stage 3 & 4:
All restarts as per the 15-a-side game and must be on the whistle.
Penalties:
Stage 1:
Penalties are taken by a pass off and on the whistle, the opposition being 10m back from the mark (or behind the goal line). Penalties must be taken through the mark.
Stage 2:
Penalties must be taken through the mark designated by the referee. A scrum to be awarded to the opposition if persistently done incorrectly. Opposition 10 m back.
Stage 3:
Penalties outside the "kicking zone" are taken by a pass off, the opposition being 10m back from the mark (or behind the goal line). To play the ball, it must be first tapped with the foot before being passed off the ground.
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Kicking:
Stage 3:
It is not permitted to punt the ball outside the "defensive zone" (10m from own goal line). If the offence is unintentional, a scrum is awarded to the opposition and if intentional a penalty to the opposition.
Stage 4:
Own 22: Allowed
Other areas: the team kicking the ball must retain possession, if they fail to do so and there is no advantage for the opposition, a scrum will be awarded to the opposition at the spot where the ball was kicked. This is to encourage the skill of the grubber kick; chip kick and the cross kick for the wide players e.g. wings.
Scrum:
Stage 2: (3 man)
- No push and or contesting allowed.
- Opposition scrum half behind his forwards - no follow around allowed.
- Scrum is over when ball is in the hands of the attacking scrum half.
- All players stay bound until ball has emerged.
- Back line 5m back.
- Always 10m from touch line and 5m from goal line.
Stage 3: (5 man)
- All players stay bound until ball has emerged.
- Scrum may not move further than 1 step from the mid point of original scrum. Only strike can be contested (hooker v hooker).
- Opposition scrum half behind his forwards - no follow around allowed..
- Backs lines 5m from scrum.
- Always 10m from touchline and 5m from goal line.
- Scrum is over when ball is in the hands of the scrum half.
Line Out:
Stage 2: (2 man)
- Line-out 2m from touch line.
- No contest.
- Line-out is over when scrum half passed the ball.
- Backs lines 5m back.
- Hooker at the front of the line-out.
- Scrum halves behind their forwards.
- Ball must be thrown into the line-out - no over throw.
- No catch and drive allowed.
Stage 3: (5 man)
- 2m from touch line.
- Only the jump can be contested.
- A space of one metre (arms length) between all players in the line-out
- Line-out is over when the scrum half passes the ball.
- Hookers must be at the front of the line-out and both scrum halves behind their forwards.
- Backs lines 5m back.
- Hookers must throw to players, no over throw allowed.
- Catch and drive 5 seconds - "use it or lose it" to apply.
NO LIFTING ALLOWED IN MINI RUGBY!
Rucks and Mauls:
Referees to talk players through it and after 5 seconds "use it or lose it"
Stage 4
The Laws of rugby apply with the following exceptions:
- This is to help with the transition from mini rugby to the 15-a-side game and is played on a full size pitch.
- Teams will consist of 13 players - 6 forwards (front row; 2nd row and no.8) and 7 backs (scrum half; out half 2 centres, 2 wings and a full back)
- Full size pitch.
- Scrums and line-out regulations the same as U19 Laws.
- No. 8 packs down between 2nd rows only.
- Rucks and mauls 5 seconds - "use it or lose it" to apply.
- Conversions take after tries between 15m lines.
- Kicking regulation applies.
- This stage to be played at U13 only.
- Restarts same as the 15-a-side game and must be taken on the whistle.
- Rest of the Laws same as the 15-a-side game.
Pitch Regulations
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
