Find the age group you coach to see what changes at training and on game day.
U8U9&10U11&12U13&14U15&16
FoundationTransitionContest
The first contact band. No scrum, no lineout and no kicking. A coach from each team is on the field for the full match.The scrum and the throw-in are introduced, both uncontested. Kicking is still not permitted. A coach from each team is still on the field for the full match.The transition band. Contested scrum and lineout, kicking and conversions, formal card sanction periods, and no on-field coach.The first youth age group band. The game moves to XV-a-side rugby on a full field, but with safety and welfare variations retained to support player development.Second youth age group band where players continue to progress towards senior rugby law. Safety and welfare variations are still paramount as players begin to specialise.
Players7 a side10 a side12 a side15 a side
Field¼ field (33m x 35m)½ field (35m x 60m)Full field less 10mFull field
BallSize 3Size 4Size 5 - male Size 4.5 - female
Match time2 x 15 min2 x 20 min2 x 25 min2 x 30 min
Guide with care, model positive experiencesDevelop players through positive coachingChallenge thinking, develop decision makersDevelop leaders, build resilience and adaptabilityPrepare players for higher level competition
Select a focus area to see how it builds across the age groups.
Game intent across the age groupsPlayer opportunity across the age groupsDevelopment priority across the age groupsCoaching environment across the age groups
U8Play and explore the gameLearn through play and participationFundamental movement and skillsCreate fun, safe and inclusive experiences
U9&10Play with team matesDevelop skills in game contextsCore skills, decision making and game senseEncourage effort, teamwork and enjoyment
U11&12Play with purposeTake on more responsibilityExecution, support play and basics under pressureProvide challenge, feedback and opportunities
U13&14Adapt and problem solveLead and contributeGame understanding, roles and systemsDevelop resilience, independence and accountability
U15&16Connect, compete and executePerform in team environmentsTactical awareness, performance and consistencyCreate high challenge, high support environments
The laws
You coach on the field
One coach per team stays on the field for every match. You can guide players, explain a decision after it is made, reposition players for a restart and raise a safety concern. You cannot question the referee's decisions, signal anything or direct play from inside either defensive line.
Tackle height
All contact must be below the base of the sternum, the same law from U8 to U16. Make tackle technique the priority at training.
The tackle contest
A maximum of 2 players per team can join the contest, not counting the tackler. The halfback cannot run once a ruck forms, and there is no pick and drive.
Set piece
No scrum and no lineout. Every restart is a tap and pass.
Maul
No maul. If one forms, the attacking team restarts with a tap and pass, and no offence is recorded.
Ball in play
No kicking in general play, and tries only with no conversions.
Game Balance Law
If the margin reaches 40 points, the coach of the losing team chooses to mix the teams, play on or end the game.
Cards
No cards. Coach, manager and referee manage it. Sideline time at the coach's discretion. Player can be replaced.
Accreditation
Required: Smart Rugby and Season Ready. Recommended: Coaching Kids Rugby.
You coach on the field
One coach per team stays on the field for every match. You can guide players, explain a decision after it is made, reposition players for a restart and raise a safety concern. You cannot question the referee's decisions, signal anything or direct play from inside either defensive line.
Tackle height
All contact must be below the base of the sternum, the same law from U8 to U16. Make tackle technique the priority at training.
The tackle contest
A maximum of 2 players per team can join the contest, not counting the tackler. The halfback cannot run once a ruck forms, and there is no pick and drive.
Scrum
5 players (2 props, a hooker and 2 second rowers), engaged and stable must occur with no deliberate push. The ball is fed from the left, only the feeding hooker strikes, and the halfback must pass to the first receiver.
Lineout
No formed lineout. A player from the team not in possession passes the ball in to a teammate. The ball must travel at least 2m infield.
Maul
Allowed in general play under World Rugby law.
Ball in play
No kicking in general play, and tries only with no conversions.
Game Balance Law
The threshold is 50 points.
Cards
No cards. Coach, manager and referee manage it. Sideline time at the coach's discretion. Player can be replaced.
Accreditation
Required: Smart Rugby and Season Ready. Recommended: Coaching Kids Rugby.
You coach from the sideline
There is no on field coach. Coaches are encouraged to stand behind the player bench inside the field enclosure.
Contested scrum
6 players: front row, 2 second rowers and a No.8. Push up to 1.5m, no wheel beyond 45 degrees, and the ball must be hooked. The halfback or No.8 may pass, run or kick, and the ball must be played within 5 seconds of the referee's "use it" call.
Lineout
6 players plus a receiver. The throwing team may jump and lift, by the legs or shorts. The defending team does not compete.
The tackle contest
No cap on numbers, and the halfback may pass, run or kick. Pick and drive is allowed.
Ball in play
Kicking in general play is allowed, but no 50/22 and no drop goals. Conversions return, as a drop kick or place kick.
Game Balance Law
The threshold is 60 points.
Cards
Yellow: 5 min. Player cannot be replaced. Red: Player is suspended until a judicial hearing. Player can be replaced after 10 min. Red cards are recorded in Rugby Xplorer.
Accreditation
Required: Smart Rugby and Season Ready. Recommended: Junior and Youth Coach Course, Continual Personal Development (CPD).
You coach from the sideline
There is no on field coach. Coaches are encouraged to stand behind the player bench inside the field enclosure.
Tackle height
All contact must be below the base of the sternum, the same law from U8 to U16.
Tackle contest and maul
World Rugby law. A maul can only occur in general play.
Scrum
8 players in a 3-4-1, contested under World Rugby law. Push capped at 1.5m, no wheel beyond 45 degrees, and hookers use a brake foot.
Lineout
Contested, and both teams may jump and lift. The throw must be straight down the middle and travel 5m. Players not in the lineout stand 10m back.
Ball in play
World Rugby law. Kicking in general play is allowed, including the 50/22 and drop goals. Try, conversion, penalty goal and drop goal all score.
Kick off
The non scoring team restarts. A contest is permitted and defenders are 10m back.
Goal line drop out
World Rugby law, including the 2027 goal line drop out.
Cards
Yellow: 5 min. Player cannot be replaced. Red: Player is suspended until a judicial hearing. Player can be replaced after 10 min. Red cards are recorded in Rugby Xplorer. The blue card applies, managed by the referee with the medic, first aid officer or trainer.Yellow: 10 min. Player cannot be replaced. Red: Player is suspended until a judicial hearing. Player can be replaced after 10 min. Red cards are recorded in Rugby Xplorer. The blue card applies, managed by the referee with the medic, first aid officer or trainer.
Advantage
Played for foul play at penalty level only. Not played at yellow card level or higher, except in the act of scoring a try.
Game Balance Law
The threshold is 60 points.Applies only where your competition sets local rules.
Accreditation
Required: Smart Rugby and Season Ready. Recommended: Youth & Club Coach Course, Continual Personal Development (CPD).Required: Smart Rugby and Season Ready. Recommended: Junior and Youth Coach Course or Community Coach Course, Continual Personal Development (CPD).
Evolution is another word for change. These laws will evolve our game.
Our game is evolving, and so is the way we coach it. A comprehensive review of junior rugby looked at how the game is played and experienced at the junior level, and how laws and game design can better align with young players’ needs, modern coaching practice and contemporary safety standards.
The new laws, developed and piloted through the national Junior Law Review, evolve the game one age group at a time. As a coach, you can give players greater time and exposure to key areas of the game, supporting meaningful involvement, skill development, confidence and enjoyment.
Coaching that evolves with the laws
A clear law set and Skills Framework for each age group, so you know what to teach and when.
Build each step over two seasons
U9 and U10 share one law set, and so do U11 and U12, giving you two seasons to develop each new skill.
What you coach is what is refereed
One law set, read the same way on every ground, so the right technique is rewarded on game day.
Players who stay in the game
More touches, more involvement and a safer contest provide a more enjoyable experience, keeping players in the game.