5 June 2006
1. Introduction to the Rugby Continuum Last updated 4 June 2006
1.1 Acknowledgements
1.2 The
1.3
1.4 The Stages
1.5 Playing Rules
1.6 Regulations and Insurance
1.7 Dispensations
1.8 Age Grades
1.9 Safety
1.10 Administration
1.11
1.12
2. Club and School Responsibilities Last updated 4 June 2006
2.1 Player Registration Regulations
2.2 Child Protection Regulations
2.3 Season Regulations
2.4 Coaching Recommendations
2.5 Health & Safety Recommendations
2.6 The Good Parents Code
2.7 The Good Spectators Code
3 Stage 1 - Under 7 & Under 8 Mini Tag Rugby Last updated 4 June 2006
3.1 - 3.11 Rules of Play
3.12 – 3.22Regulations Fixtures & Festivals – The Season – Under 7 & Under Age Grades & Under 7 & Under 8 Age Grade Dispensations – Limitatations on Fixtures – Match, Coaching & Training Session Durations – Equipment – Pitch Sizes
3.23 - 3.26Recommendations – Coaching - Dangerous Play – Discipline –Safety
3.27 – 3.28Recommendations - Codes of Conduct for Match Officials, Coaches and Players
4 Stage 2 - Under 9 & Under 10 Mini Rugby Last updated 4 June 2006
4.1 - 4.10Rules of Play
4.11 - 4.21Regulations – Fixtures & Festivals – The Season – Under 9 & Under 10 Age Grades – Under 9 & Under 10 Age Grade Dispensations - Limitations on Fixtures – Match, Coaching & Training Session Durations – Equipment – Pitch Sizes
4.22 - 4.25Recommendations – Coaching - Dangerous Play – Discipline –Safety
4.26 - 4.28Recommendations - Codes of Conduct for Match Officials, Coaches and Players
5 Stage 3 - Under 11 & Under 12 Midi Rugby Last updated 4 June 2006
5.1 - 5.11 Rules of Play
5.12 - 5.22 Regulations, Fixtures & Festivals, The Season, Under 11& Under 12 Age Grades, Under 11& Under 12 Age Grade Dispensations, Under 11& Under 12 Age Grade Dispensations, Limitations on Fixtures, Match Durations, Duration ofCoaching or Training Session Durations, Equipment and Pitch Sizes
5.23 - 5.26 Recommendations - Coaching, Dangerous Play, Discipline, Safety
5.27 Recommendations - The Good Match Officials Code, The Good Coaches Code, The Good Players Code
SCHEDULE:RFU Guidance on Rugby for children too young to participate in the Continuum
The following variations are applicable in domestic Schools and Club Youth rugby matches in
UNDER 13 TO UNDER 19 INCLUSIVE:
Rolling Substitutions – Law 3
A player who has been substituted may replace any player, whether or not that player has been injured.
Players may be exchanged at any time during the match, when the ball is dead, and with the knowledge of the
Temporary Suspension Sin bin Protocol – Law 10
As per the adult game the player will remain in the Sin Bin for ten minutes actual playing time. The player will stand out of the field of play, in the vicinity of the half way line, at a place readily identifiable to the
UNDER 13 TO UNDER 18 INCLUSIVE:
Squeeze Ball - Law 14 and 15
No player involved in a match at any age level from under 18 downwards shall use in training or in a match the technique known or referred to as Squeeze ball.
Note: ''Squeeze ball'' is a technique where the ball carrier goes to ground, head forward (touching or close to the ground), irrespective of immediate contact with opponents) usually keeping parallel to the touchline, holding and protecting the ball close to the chest and, when on the ground, pushes the ball back between the legs.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
UNDER 13 AND 14
Time – Law 5
Playing time not to exceed 25 minutes each way with a size 4 ball. After 50 minutes of playing time, the
15-a-side Festivals should follow the following pattern:
Not exceeding 4 matches of 10 minutes each way = 80 minutes
Line-out - Law 19
Lifting/supporting is prohibited in these age groups, i.e. a player may not bind to a jumper until that player has returned to the ground.
Penalty: Penalty Kick.
Scrum - Law 20
The scrum-half not throwing the ball into the scrum must not move beyond the middle line of the scrum until the ball has emerged from the scrum or an opponent has placed his hands on the ball. In the event of a strike against the head, the scrum-half who has thrown the ball into the scrum is similarly restricted in not following the ball.
UNDER 15
Time – Law 5
Playing time not to exceed 30 minutes each way playing with a size five ball. After 60 minutes of playing time, the
15-a-side Festivals should follow the following pattern:
Not exceeding 5 matches of 9 minutes each way = 90 minutes
Line-out - Law 19
Lifting/supporting is prohibited at this age group, i.e. a player may not bind to a jumper until that player has returned to the ground.
Penalty: Penalty Kick.
Scrum - Law 20
The scrum-half not throwing the ball into the scrum must not move beyond the middle line of the scrum until the ball has emerged from the scrum or an opponent has placed his hands on the ball. In the event of a strike against the head, the scrum-half who has thrown the ball into the scrum is similarly restricted in not following the ball.
UNDER 16 TO UNDER 19 INCLUSIVE:
Time – Law 5
Playing time not to exceed 35 minutes each way playing with a size five ball. After 70 minutes of playing time, the
15-a-side Festivals should follow the following pattern:
Not exceeding 5 matches of 9 minutes each
Otherwise the iRB Laws of the Game with Under 19 and Seven-a-Side Variations apply at all times.

