Download a PDF here – LYG24_RFU_U12_Info_Rules V2

SGRU 1 Officials at this event will conduct games in accordance with the RFU Touch Union rules. Touch Union is a non-contact form of rugby (see England Rugby Rules: The Touch Union Rules).

SGRU 1.1 The London Youth Games U12 Rugby Union competition will follow the transgender guidance outlined in the England Rugby Gender Participation Policy.

SGRU 2 Age Category

SGRU 2.1 The following age groups and respective maximum date of births will apply to the School Games U12 Rugby Union Festival:

SGRU 2.2 Generally, participants should not take part if they do not meet the age outlined above.

SGRU 2.2.1 If a school wishes to bring a participant who falls beyond the age outlined, a request should be submitted to rebecca@londonyouthgames.org to ensure there are no health and safety concerns.

SGRU 3 Eligibility Criteria

SGRU 3.1 Competition Tier: Aspire

SGRU 3.1.1 Competition Intent: Developmental event which will focus on extending children and young people’s knowledge & understanding of a particular sport using station based or non-scoring games formats. The measure of success is determined by demonstrating sporting values or through the accrual of team best scores. Local qualifying festivals may be used as a selection process to these events but is not mandatory.

SGRU 3.1.2 Player Eligibility: Aimed at children and young people who are new to the sport and are not currently receiving regular coaching outside of school but may be more likely to take that step as a result of attending the event. Ideal for pupils who may be active and have basic competence but are not representing school teams.

SGRU 4 Squad Size Schools should bring a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 12 participants.

SGRU 5 Kit & Equipment

SGRU 5.1 All clothing must be appropriate and safe to the player and opponent, in line with the RugbySafe Clothing and Equipment guidelines. Mouthguards are strongly recommended.

SGRU 5.2 Appropriate Footwear should be worn dependent upon weather conditions – moulds or plastic stud boots are recommended. Metal studs will be allowed. Absolutely no blades or flat shoes to be worn on the AGP.

SGRU 5.3 Size 4 balls will be used throughout the event.

SGRU 5.4 Playing pitch size: 45 metres x 35 metres

SGRU 6 Festival Format Each match will be timed straight through (length will depend on entries).

SGRU 6.1 The festival will be mindful to ensure that no participant plays in excess of 80 minutes across the day.

SGRU 6.2 Teams will be randomly drawn into initial groups. The outcome of your group games is recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.

SGRU 7 Game Guidance

SGRU 7.1 No more than 7 participants from each team should be on the pitch at one time.

SGRU 7.2 Rolling substitutions are encouraged, and all participants in attendance should be given appropriate opportunity to play. These can be made during a ‘dead ball’ and the official should be notified.

SGRU 7.3 Play starts and restarts at the centre with a “tap”. This is performed by moving the ball on the ground with the foot, free from the hands, and then picking it up. Penalties are performed using the same procedure. On both a re-start and penalty the defending team should retreat at least 10 metres.

SGRU 7.4 A try is scored by grounding the ball on, or behind, the try-line. One point is awarded for a try.

SGRU 7.5 A touch is made when there is contact on the ball, hair or clothing and may be initiated by a defending player, or by the player in possession. There should be as minimal contact as necessary to make a touch. The official is the ultimate judge of if a touch was made but will take into account a player’s claim of any touch.

SGRU 7.6 When touched, the player in possession must place the ball on the ground at the exact point of the touch. Play is re-started by stepping over the ball. It can be controlled with a hand or foot. This is known as a ‘rollball’. The ball may not roll more than a metre. A player should not perform a rollball unless touched.

SGRU 7.7 After six touches with no score, possession changes. The attacking team begins play with a rollball.

SGRU 7.8 A restart occurs the moment the ball is tapped (for a tap) or another player touches the ball (on a roll ball). Players should not delay the game by deliberately delaying a rollball.

SGRU 7.9 If the ball is dropped or if a player crosses the side-line before being touched, a change of possession will occur.

SGRU 7.10 A penalty may be awarded for infringements including forward pass, offside play, performing a roll ball too far from where the touch occurred, claiming a touch when none was made, using more than minimum force to make a touch, interfering with the roll ball and passing the ball after being touched.

SGRU 7.10.1 As this event is a festival, the official may utilise their own discretion in regard to whether a penalty should be awarded, and may take opportunities to educate players, and restart play without a penalty.

SGRU 7.11 No obstruction, excessive contact, verbal abuse, or foul play will be tolerated – the official will notify festival organisers of any breach, and further action may be taken.

SGRU 8 Awards No medals, trophies or salvers will be awarded to any team based on winning.

Download a PDF here – LYG24_RFU_U14_Info_Rules v2

XRU 1 The event will run in accordance with the World Rugby XRugby rules for 7 players. Any rules outlined below that contradict these rules will supersede them.

XRU 1.1 It will be at the discretion of the Event Referee and LYG personnel as to the application of these rules, and any subsequent decision made as a result will be final.

XRU 1.2 The Tournament Organisers reserve the rights to alter or amend the playing schedule if necessary and make decisions on any matters arising during the tournament, including any matters not covered by the tournament regulations.

XRU 1.3 The Competition Director reserves the right to suspend/cancel the event where required by weather/unsafe conditions.

XRU 1.4 The London Youth Games U14 Rugby Union competition will follow the transgender guidance outlined in the England Rugby Gender Participation Policy.

XRU 2 Age Category

XRU 2.1 The following age groups and respective maximum date of births will apply to the School Games U14 Rugby Union Competition:

XRU 2.2 Competitors are not permitted to enter this competition if they are ineligible. No exceptions will be made.

XRU 2.3 It is the responsibility of competitors/parents/teachers/SGOs to ensure all competitors details are entered correctly at the time of submission, and that they are eligible to compete.

XRU 2.3.1 In the instance a competitor is found to be ineligible, they may be disqualified from the competition.

XRU 3 Eligibility

XRU 3.1 Competition Tier: Higher

XRU 3.1.1 Competition Intent: Highly competitive environment where winning is the measure of success and level challenge is high, in order to further the development of young athletes. Local qualifying events are encouraged, with the winning school progressing to the county final.

XRU 3.1.2 Player Eligibility: Aimed at children and young people who enjoy competition and may regularly access training and coaching outside of the school environment. Participants are used to competing in sport inside and outside of school and have a higher skill ability and understand tactics and strategies in competitive game play situations.

XRU 4 Squad Size Schools are permitted to bring a minimum of 7 competitors and a maximum of 12 competitors.

RFU 5 Kit & Equipment

RFU 5.1 All clothing must be appropriate and safe to the player and opponent, in line with the RugbySafe Clothing and Equipment guidelines. Mouthguards are strongly recommended.

RFU 5.2 Appropriate Footwear should be worn dependent upon weather conditions. Moulds or plastic studs are recommended. Metal studs may be worn. No blades or flat shoes to be worn on the AGP.

RFU 5.3 Size 4 balls will be used throughout the event.

RFU 5.4 Playing pitch size: 60 metres x 40 metres (inc. goal areas of 5m).

XRU 6 Competition Format Each match will be timed straight through (length will depend on entries).

XRU 6.1 The format will also ensure that no girl will play more than 80 minutes total.

XRU 7 Draw Format Teams will be randomly drawn into groups, with sizes dependent on entries. Winners and runners up will advance to a knockout stage. Remaining teams may be offered additional games against a similar level of opposition if time permits.

XRU 8 Competition Rules

XRU 8.1 Maximum of 7 players from each team on the pitch at one time.

XRU 8.2 Rolling substitutions are permitted and substituted players can return at any time. Substitutions can only take place when the ball is dead and always with the referee’s permission.

XRU 8.3 Play starts and restarts at the centre with a “tap”. This is performed by moving the ball on the ground with the foot, free from the hands, and then picking it up. Penalties are performed using the same procedure. On both a re-start and penalty the defending team must retreat at least 10 metres.

XRU 8.4 A try is scored by grounding the ball on, or behind, the try-line and result in a 5-point score.

XRU 8.4.1 A ‘max zone’ – 15 metres in width – will be in effect, and any try scored within this zone will result in a 7-point score.

XRU 8.4.2 There are no conversions.

XRU 8.5 A tackler must grasp the ball carrier below the sternum – the grasp must be simultaneous, or prior to, shoulder contact.

XRU 8.5.1 A tackler must not tackle (or attempt to) above the line of the sternum, even if the tackle starts below this line.

XRU 8.5.2 Ball carriers who wish to perform a hand-off/fend, must also do so below the line of the sternum on a tackler.

XRU 8.6 Once a player is tackled (knee has made contact with the ground and the tackler maintains a consistent grasp) a ruck is formed.

XRU 8.6.1 No more than two players from either team (including the tackler and ball carrier) can be involved in a ruck.

XRU 8.7 A maul may not consist of any more than three players of each team.

XRU 8.8 Scrums are uncontested and will consist of three players from each team.

XRU 8.9 Lineouts are uncontested and will consist of three players from each team.

RXU 8.10 Players may kick the ball in open play only, both from the hand or ground. Any kick must be directed toward the ground, in a ‘grubber’ style.

XRU 8.10.1 Any kick deemed by the referee to not fulfil the criteria set out in XRU 7.10 will result in a free kick to the non-offending team from the place the infringement took place. This will also be the course of action should a kick cross the touch line without bouncing in the field of play first.

XRU 8.10.2 If a ball is touched down in the try area by a defender, or if the ball goes dead, play will restart at the 15m mark with a tap to the non-kicking team.

XRU 8.11 Any player issued with a yellow card leaves the field of play until the next try is scored by either team.

XRU 8.11.1 Any foul play, abuse or excess force will not be tolerated, and may be met with a red card. In such instances, this will be reported to the Tournament Organiser, and further action may be taken.

XRU 9 Overall Scoring Points will be awarded for each game to give a school’s group position.

XRU 9.1 The following points will be awarded:

• 5 points for a win
• 3 points for a draw
• 1 point for a loss

XRU 9.1.1 Groups are decided on:

• Match points
• Try differences
• Tries for
• Tries against
• Toss of a coin

XRU 10 Medals & Salvers Team medals awarded to 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place. Winners will also receive a salver.