Laws for Touch/Non-Contact Rugby

Editor’s Note: The text below comprises changes to the laws for non-contact youth rugby as codified by Harry Laws in Spring 2002.

The following modifications to the Laws of the game are for the purposes of standardizing the noncontact game as it is played in the United States. For clarity, the modifications are grouped into three sections: Administrative, Technical, and Play Related.

[ The current rugby lawbook is available on the International Rugby Board Web site at http://www.irb.com. ]

Administrative.

1. Insert "noncontact" in front of the word "game" throughout.
2. Delete all references to the U-19 or international game.
3. Delete references to the International Rugby Board [IRB] and insert "USA Rugby."

Technical.

1. Where there are references to total number of players on a team, change to seven (7).

2. Delete references or law that pertains to flankers or #8 or second row. Exception: Flanker obstructing the scrum half. No prop may obstruct the scrum half [P.K.].

3. Play shall not be longer than 40 minutes and shall be divided into four 10-minute periods.

1. Half time is defined as the time between the second and third period.
2. Quarter time is defined as the time between the first and second periods, and the third and fourth periods.
3. No more that 2 minutes will be allowed for quarter time; no more than 10 minutes for half-time.
4. The term ’non-contested’ is defined as no pushing, shoving, or any other type of contesting.

 

4. To allow for variations in ages and playing abilities, the size of the playing enclosure and field markings may vary to any size equal to or smaller than that applied to the tackle game, as agreed upon by the coaches or captains.

1. For players 14 years and under, a size 4 or smaller ball shall be used.

 

5. Players may be freely replaced at the beginning of each period. Players so replaced may not re-enter the match during the period in which they were replaced, except to replace an injured player, and then only if there are no other substitutes available to do so.

Play Related.

1. The word "Tackle" is replaced by the word "Tag" throughout. Tag is defined as two hands simultaneously touching the ball carrier at or below the waist but at or above the knees. When a tag takes place, the tagger must take a neutral position.

1. "Neutral Position" is defined as a position a player takes immediately after tagging the ball carrier. This position must allow the ball carrier to play the ball and must not intentionally give an advantage to the tagger after the ball has been played [P.K. at the spot of the tag].

 

2. Scrums shall be a front row composed of three persons and will be non-contested. Any player may play in the scrum and there will be no requirement for experienced front row players. [ For safety reasons, the referees must ensure the players in the front row are reasonably matched in size. Otherwise they are encouraged to have other players in the front row .] Delete references to wheeling or collapsing, as non-contested scrums should not have these characteristics.

3. Ruck/Maul

1. When a ball carrier in close proximity to an opposition player, calls out "Ruck" or "Maul" then a tag cannot take place. The ball carrier must set the ruck or maul.

   1. Description of Maul. The ball carrier turns his back towards the opponents defending try line and offers the ball to a supporting player. The supporting player must arrive close enough to the first player to take the ball, take the ball, and turn in the same direction allowing the first ball carrier to place his hands on the second ball carriers’ hips ["Tags up"]. The defender places his hands on the first ball carrier’s hips, tagging up, and a second defender arrives at the maul and tags up to the first. The third and fourth players must immediately attempt to join the maul [P.K. if defender, Scrum with loss of possession if ball carrier’s team]. A maul ends successfully when the ball is passed away. The maul must end immediately after the second defender has joined the maul. [Scrum, with possession going to the team not in possession].

   2. Description of Ruck. The ball carrier faces the opposition’s try line, crouches, places a hand on the hip of the defender, and places the ball under him (the ball carrier). A second defender must bind up alongside the first defender and a second attacker must bind up alongside the ball carrier. The third and fourth players must immediately attempt to join the ruck [P.K. if defender, Scrum with loss of possession if ball carrier’s team]. A ruck ends successfully when the ball is heeled out of the ruck or a scrum half has removed it from an onside position. The ruck must be ended immediately after the second defender has joined the ruck. [Scrum with loss of possession].

2. All players who join the maul or ruck must do so from an onside position.
3. Both the ruck and maul are non-contested.

 

4. Lineout

1. A lineout shall be composed of two persons from each side and will be contested. A ruck or maul may be called after the throw in has occurred and a player has control of the ball, and players must tag up appropriately. Offsides at a ruck/maul at a lineout are the same as in the tackle game.

 

5. Dangerous play

1. A player may not twist, grab, push, or pull a ball carrier while in the act of tagging or during a maul or ruck.[P.K.]
2. No player may strike or grab at the ball or in any other way physically force or attempt to force the ball from the ball carriers hands. [P.K.].