Regulations regarding Mini Rugby
Start of match and/or restarts
Stages 1 & 2:
All starts and restarts are by pass off (from the ground) and must be on the referees whistle. The opposition must retire 10m from the ball and can only move once the scrum half/passer places their hands on the ball. The first receiver must start no more than 2m back from the scrum half/passer.
At the start of both halves and after a try has been scored, the pass off must take place from the centre of the pitch.
Stage 3
Starts and restarts as per the 15-a-side game and must be on the referees whistle.
Restarts: after a try has been scored the team who have scored will kick off.
Penalties
Stage 1 & 2
Penalties are taken by a pass off (from the ground) and on the referees whistle, the opposition must be 10m back from the mark (or behind the goal line). Penalties must be taken through the mark. To play the ball, it must be first tapped with the foot before being passed off the ground.
Stage 3
Penalties must be taken through the mark designated by the referee. A scrum to be awarded to the opposition if persistently done incorrectly. Opposition must be 10 m back (or behind the goal line) . To play the ball, it must be first tapped with the foot before being passed off the ground.
Defensive penalties from within the Kicking Zone as per the 15 a side game i.e team awarded the penalty may kick directly to touch and are awarded throw in.
Kicking
Stage 1 & 2
Not applicable.
Stage 3
It is not permitted to kick 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.
Hand Off (Stage 3 only)
No hand off to the head or neck area. Penalty awarded if this offence is committed.
Scrum
Stage 2: (3 man)
1 No push or contesting allowed, ball must be put in straight.
2 Opposition scrum half behind his forwards – no follow around allowed.
3 Scrum is over when ball is in the hands of the attacking scrum half.
4 Scrum half must pass the ball – no break allowed.
5 All players stay bound until ball has emerged.
6 Both back lines 5m back to allow attack.
7 Always 10m from touch line and 5m from goal line.
Stage 3: (5 man)
1 All players stay bound until ball has emerged.
2 Scrum may not move further than 1 step from the mid point of original scrum. Only strike can be contested (hooker v hooker).
3 Scrum half to feed the ball into the scrum with two hands and straight.
4 No forward allowed to pick up the ball from the scrum.
5 Opposition scrum half behind his 2nd Rows – no follow around allowed.
6 Both back lines 5m from scrum to allow attacks.
7 Always 10m from touchline and 5m from goal line.
8 Scrum is over when referee calls “scrum over” or when the ball is in the hands of the scrum half who may break.
Line out
No Lifting allowed in Mini Rugby
Stage 2: (2 man)
1 Line-out 2m from touch line.
2 No contest.
3 Line–out is over when the scrum half passes the ball.
4 Hooker at the front of the line-out.
5 Both back lines 5m back to allow attack.
6 Scrum halves behind their forwards and must pass the ball. No break allowed.
7 Ball must be thrown straight into the line-out – no over throw.
8 No catch and drive allowed.
Stage 3: (5 man)
1 2m from touch line.
2 Only the jump can be contested.
3 A space of one metre (arms length) between all players in the line-out
4 Both hookers must be at the front of the line-out and both scrum halves behind their forwards.
5 Both backs lines 5m back to allow attack.
6 Hookers must throw to players (2m.), no over throw allowed and must be straight.
7 Line –out is over when the scrum half passes the ball/ makes a break or when team catching the ball – catch & drive (5 seconds – “use it or lose it”) to apply.
Rucks and mauls
Referees to talk players through it and after 5 seconds “use it or lose it.” The 5 seconds starts from the time the ruck or maul is formed NOT when the maul stops moving.
Discipline
No sending off in Mini Rugby only compulsory substitutions to ensure same numbers on the pitch at all times.
High tackles/swing tackles
Player to receive 1 (one) verbal warning from the referee. If the player offends again compulsory substitution to be made by coach on request by the referee. Player allowed to participate in next match or rest of the day’s event.
Punching/ kicking of an opponent
No warning – immediate compulsory substitution and the player is not allowed to participate in next match or rest of the day’s event
Squeeze ball and Bridging
Not allowed
Ball in one hand
If carrying the ball in one hand (which should be discouraged) the free hand must not be used to fend off another player or prevent the tackle other than when used properly to hand off in stage 3.
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 play full contact games.
Children in this age group should be introduced to Rugby Union through Leprechaun Rugby or Tag Rugby as per the Mini Rugby Handbook.
Mini Rugby has been broken down into 3 distinct stages which progressively introduce and develop the fundamental skills of Rugby Football. The chart below summarises the key stages.
IRFU Regulations Summary
| Regulation | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
|---|
| Suggested age group(s) | 8’s | 9’s & 10’s | 11’s&12’s |
| Ball size | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Maximum time per half – single match/no injury time allowed | 15 min | 15 min | 20 min |
| Maximum time per half – blitz days | 7 min | 7 min | 7 min |
| Maximum time allowed to play per day/ event | 70 min. | 70 min. | 70 min. |
| Minimum time allowed for half time | 1 min | 1min | 1 min |
| No of players in team | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| No of forwards | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| No of backs | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Safety zone between pitches | 6 m | 6 m | 6 m |
| Tackle height – no swinging tackle allowed | Waist | Waist | Waist |
| Hand off | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Below shoulder |
| Time allowed for rucks & mauls | 5 sec | 5 sec | 5 sec |
| No of players allowed in rucks & mauls per side | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Kicking allowed | No | No | Defence zone only |
| Start match | Pass off | Pass off | As per 15-a-side |
| Method of scoring | Try | Try | Try |
| Maximum no of players on panel for Blitz days | 14 | 14 | 16 |
| Line out | No | 3 Man | 5 Man |
| Scrum | No | 3 Man | 5 Man |