What is Walla Rugby?
Walla Rugby is the safe, modified version of Rugby Union that is suitable for boys and girls of all ages. It involves a two handed tag rather than a tackle, and a non-contact ball take rather than rucks and mauls. Scrums and lineouts are also modified to ensure a safe and enjoying playing environment for all students.
| Summary of features of Walla Rugby |
Playing Area The playing area is smaller than a rugby field - Max. 50m x 25m (including in goal area). Schools are encouraged to work with whatever space they have available. | Team Size Seven (7) players as max per team - this can be smaller if the playing area is smaller. | Playing Time Two x 15-minute halves. | Scoring A try is worth 5 points. No conversion attempt after a try at this age level. No penalty goals or drop goals at this level. | Kick-off Taken in the form of a "punt kick". Non-scoring team to kick off. 5m "free zone" for receiver. | Restart "Tap restart" by non-scoring team after a try. | Kicking in General Play No kicking is allowed in general play. Penalty The "tap restart" is the only option. | Walla tag To halt the progress of the ball carrier, a defending player must contact the ball carrier with two hands (simultaneously) below waist height. Once tagged the ball carrier has two options: 1. Pass the ball to a team mate immediately; or 2. Set up a ball take. | Ball Take A ball take occurs if the passing option is not taken following a "tag". Call after "tag" should be "pass, pass, pass", then ball take. Offside line for defending team is 5m. | Lineout A lineout occurs when the ball goes out of bounds. Lineouts are non-contested. Two players lineout, plus hooker. The lineout is formed 3m from the touchline. The thrower stands in line with their own team. Biased, targeted throw. Offside line for the backline is 5m from the middle of the lineout. | Scrum A scrum restarts play when there is an accidental infringement. Scrums are non-contested. Only the hooker of the team feeding the ball into the scrum may strike for the ball. Gentle, non-pushing scrum with only three players, positioned in each front row. Offside line is 5m from last feet for defending team and from last feet for attacking team. Scrum half not feeding the ball cannot go past the mid line of scrum. |
Advantage Played generously to ensure a free-flowing game. | Offside In general play, a player is offside if they are infront of team-mate who is carrying the ball, or if they are infront of a team-mate who last played the ball. Offside lines exist for scrum, lineout and ball take situations. |
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EdRugby recommends schools and students play Walla Rugby as it is the most effective and safe way to introduce Rugby to new players. Importantly, Walla Rugby can be played by students of all ages and not just 7 and 8 year olds. In addition, if you have a rugby playing school - you can choose not to use all modifications.
Click here for a simple explanation of the game of Rugby Union.
