1. Brief overview

2. No player should be wearing any Jewellery Rigid protection – arm guards, shin guards Sharp or burred sprigs

3.  Mini League – max number is 8, minimum number 6  Mod League – 10 & 11 yrs, max 11, min  Mod League – 12 yrs, max 13, min 11  International – Max 13, min 9 (all though not written). You could play with 4 players. 3 to form the front row and 1 to feed the scrum.

4.  Attacking Team - is the team which at the time has a territorial advantage. If a scrum is to be formed on the halfway line the team which last played at the ball before it went out of play is the attacking team.  Charge Down - is blocking the path of the ball with the hands, arm or body as it rises from an opponents kick  Grounding the ball – means ◦ (a) placing the ball on the ground with the hand or hands ◦ (b) exerting a downward pressure on the ball with the hand or arm, the ball itself being on the ground ◦ (c) dropping on the ball and covering it with the part of the body above the waist and below the neck, the ball itself being on the ground Knock On – means to knock the ball towards the opponents in dead ball line with the hand or arms, while playing at the ball Voluntary Tackle – is where a player in possession voluntarily stops play when not effectively tackled.

5.  All players must be behind the kicker  All players on the receiving must be the required distance  The ball must travel the required distance  Mini - restarts and conversion kicks must be rotated  Mods – conversion kicks must be rotated  All penalties from the starts or restarts of play are given at the centre of halfway, centre of 20m line or 10m in front of the goal posts.  If the ball lands in the field of play and goes over the touch line, the kicking team get the loose head & feed.  If the ball lands in the field of play and goes over touch in goal or dead ball line, play restarts with a goal line drop out.  General rule – who last deliberately kicked touched or carried the ball will dictate how the game is to be restarted.

6.  Mini – there is no marker. Mod – only one marker allowed. Inter – two markers allowed  Markers must be in line with the play the ball  Mini & Mod – markers cannot move until the first receiver has the ball in his/her hands, kicks, knocks on or elects to run  Mini & Mod – defence cannot move until the first receiver has the ball in his/her hands, kicks, knocks on or elects to run  Internationals – defence and markers cannot move until the ball has cleared the ruck.  The ball must always be healed back  Markers cannot strike for the ball  If there is no marker and no dummy half then the player playing the ball can turn and pick up the ball to play on.  After the ball carrier is tackled they are permitted to step outside the field while gaining their feet and will not be deemed out.  Mini & Mod Defence – must be 5m from the centre of the PTB  13 & 14 yrs defence – must be 5m from the centre of the PTB  15yrs and up defence – must be 10m from the centre of the PTB

7.  Mini League – 4 tackles  Mod League – 6 tackles  Internationals – 6 tackles  Held up in goal – take ball back 10m and play it. On the 6 th tackle it is a handover 10m out  Mini & Mod – players must make 2 passes from the PTB, except in their own ¼ of the field. One pass needed only  Mini & Mod – a kick is counted as a pass  Mini – Cannot kick in general play  Mod – can kick in general play. Can’t be a bomb type kick  Mini & Mod – Cannot kick for goal from a penalty and cannot take field goal attempts.  Mini & Mod – cannot strip the ball  Internationals – more than one in the tackle the ball cannot be stripped  40/20 kicks apply to 12 years and older. Kicking team get the ball.

8.  Scrums - there is 5 occasions when a scrum is formed in mini & mod ◦ Knock on both ways ◦ From a penalty kick the ball is touched by an opponent before crossing the touch line ◦ Ball carrier runs into referee or other and play is affected. Territorial team gets L H & F ◦ Ball burst – team last in possession ◦ Referee accidently blows his whistle – last team in possession  Mini League – 3 forwards  Mod League – 10 & 11yrs – 5 forwards  Mod League – 12yrs – 6 forwards  International – 6 forwards  Half back must stand square to the scrum when feeding the ball and retire  Non feeding halfback must stand in line with the last row of forwards until the ball comes out of the scrum

9.  Penalty Try - the Referee may award a penalty try if, in his opinion, a try would have been scored but for the unfair play of the defending team. A penalty try is awarded between the goal posts irrespective of where the offence occurred.  Possible 8 point Try - If a player fouls an opponent who is touching down for a try, a penalty kick at goal shall be taken from in front of the goal posts after the attempt to convert the try. After his kick has been taken the ball shall be deemed dead and play shall be restarted from the halfway line. This law applies to the period during which the ball is touched down for a try and not to any subsequent period.

10.  Tackling on or near the goal line - If part of the tackled player is on or over the goal line but the ball is in the field of play the tackled player shall play the ball where the ball lies. If a player is tackled in an upright position bestriding the goal line he is deemed to be tackled in the in-goal area.  Breach by attacking team – any breach by the attacking team, e.g. knock on, ball going over the dead ball line, will result in a 20m optional restart. If ball goes dead from a penalty then it is a 20m drop kick  Breach by defending team in their own in goal – any breach by the defending team, e.g. knock on, ball dead after being played at, will result in a goal line drop except for a forward pass  Attacking player held up in goal – if before the fifth play the ball the team in possession to take it back 10m and play the ball. If after the fifth play the ball then it is a handover on the 10m line.

11.  Player standing on or straddling touch line – if a player is standing with one foot on the touch line and catches or touches the ball while in flight from a kick, t hen the ball is deemed out on the full  Player standing on or straddling goal line – if the player has one foot in the field of play at the same time as in the goal and catches the ball he must play on.  Player standing on or straddling dead ball line – if a player is straddling the dead ball line or touch in goal and bats a rolling ball over the line it is a 20m optional restart. If the ball has stopped and the same thing happens it is a goal line drop out

12.  Penalty are to taken on the mark  Kicking team behind the kicker  Defending stand the required distant away  If a player is in front of the kicker it is a scrum  If the defending team is offside the mark is advanced  The kicking team may take the ball back from the original mark. The defence must stay 10m from the original mark  If the ball is taken back to kick for goal then the defence can move to 10m from the new mark

13.  Zero Tackles – Mini & Mod - General Principal: Whenever a team first gains possession of the ball and the player is tackled, without passing, that tackle is a zero tackle. The tackle count restart signal is given after the ball is played.  Zero Tackles – Internationals When a team knocks on or makes a forward pass which is picked up by the opposition team. Zero tackle is given after the play the ball is made.  Gaining possession of the ball can be;  From a kick off or a kick to restart play, regardless of which team gains the ball  From a penalty kick or a free kick, e.g. taking a tap and running the ball  From a knock on or other dropped or lost ball  From an intercept or, (in Mod) gathering a kick in general play  If from any of the above, the ball is touched by a team mate before possession is gained or the ball is passed, the next tackle is ONE.  Note; You cannot get a zero tackle from a scrum.  Acting Half Back at Scrums  When a team wins the scrum and the acting half back has not made an advantage he shall keep the ball and the tackle count is one.  When a team wins the scrum and the acting half back runs and, makes an advantage and does not pass the ball it is a handover at the mark of the tackle.  12 year mod – the above rule does not apply

14.  Tackles – must be below the armpits. Cannot use dangerous tackle, e.g. hand in the crotch, no vertical lift, vertical lift and driven. Cannot flick the trailing leg when hand is on player. Cannot push the player to effect a tackle  Sandbagging – if the player is on the ground and has not time to regain their feet a defender cannot flop on the ball carrier  Shoulder Charge – cannot shoulder charge up to and including 18yrs  Vicious Palm – the ball carrier cannot thrust out their arm to contact the defender above the shoulder  Swinging – cannot use the ball carrier’s arm jersey to swing or sling a player  Surrender Tackle – small or inexperienced players come up against bigger players, the player can surrender and the referee should call held straight away  Foul or Abusive Language – players cannot use expletives, threatening or denigrating words, sledging  Scrums– Players cannot push in the scrum. Hookers only may strike for the ball  Safe play code is only applicable to 15 years and below.