Mini’s Coaching Manual
Ver 2.0, Nov 2013
Index
Rugby Rules
Summary by age group 3
Rules – U6, U7, U8 4
Rules – U9 6
Rules – U10 8
Rules – U11 10
Rules – U12 13
Rugby Training
The warm up 14
Training the throw/catch 15
Training finding space 15
Training positioning 15
Training the tackler 16
Training the ball carrier 16
Training the breakdown 17
Training the scrum 17
Training the lineout 18
Training the maul 18
RUGBY RULES: Summary by age group
Players
Ball Size
Tackling
Knock
-ons
Scrums
Rucks
(feet)
Mauls
(hands)
Lineouts
Kickoff
U6
6
3
Touch
Yes
No
Na
No
No
Place
U7
7
3
Touch
Yes
No
Na
No
No
Place
U8
8
3
Touch
Yes
No
Na
No
No
Punt/drop
U9
9
3
Tackle
Yes
No
No
No
No
Punt/Drop
U10
10 (5+5)
4
Tackle
Yes
5-man
2 vs 2
No
No
Drop
U11
11 (5+6)
4
Tackle
Yes
5-man
Yes
Yes
2-4
Drop
U12
12 (6+6)
4
Tackle
Yes
6-man
Yes
Yes
2-5
Drop
U13/U14
15
5
Tackle
Yes
Full
Yes
Yes
Full
Drop
Source: HKRFU September 2013
HKRFU – the Macau Bats will play according to the rules published by the Hongkong Rugby Football Union, as set out on their website. Where any information below differs from the HKRFU website, the HKRFU website shall be the governing document.
TOUCH RUGBY – TACKLING Tackler must have 2 hands on the shorts. Player is allowed max 3 steps after the tackle to pass the ball. The referee either calls “tackle [#1 etc]” for a successful tackle or “play on” for an unsuccessful tackle. After 6 successful tackles are made the ball is turned over to the other side for a free kick.
CONTACT RUGBY – TACKLING AND RUCKS –U9s still play 6 tackles even though it’s a contact game. Therefore the referee calls “tackle [#1 etc], release, go to ground”. The purpose of the “release, go to ground” is to free up the game by getting tacklers to release the player, and to allow the player to fall to the ground. U9s may not ruck/push over the ball. U10s have the same call (without the tackle number) but rucking/driving over the ball is allowed (by max 2 players per side). Full rucking is allowed from U11 up.
MAULS (ie ball in hand at/after tackle, players pushing from behind) are allowed from U11.
SCRUMS U10s cannot push in the scrum. U11 and U12 may push 1.5m. Correct binding is essential and must be trained from U11. Backs must remain 5m behind the scrum. All scrums are contested and so both hookers must be trained to fight for the ball. Scrum halves must remain behind the centre line of the scrum line until the opposing scrum half touches the ball.
LINEOUTS U11s and up have lineouts. Players should jump, but they may not be supported or lifted. Lineouts are not permitted to be taken quickly, and backs must be 7m behind the line.
KICKOFFs must travel 5m for U6-U10, 7m for U11-U12, 10m for U13, with punt, place or drop kicks as above. Note there are no conversions until U13.
PENALTIES U6-U10 must use a free kick. This can be a tap forward along the ground, or a clear tap that leaves the hands.
RULES BY AGE GROUP – U6, U7, U8
THE PITCH: 30m x 40m (U6, U7), 40m x 40m (U8). The...
