WRU Under 8s Pathway Laws

COACH’S ROLE:

• Develop self-esteem in all children
• Develop evasion skills, plus progression to moving receiver

AIMS RATIONALE:

Invasion by evasion, introduce accurate passing to a moving receiver.

GENERAL:

Age: Under eight as on the first of September at the start of the season

Team Size: Seven a side with unlimited substitutions.
The WRU requires that both teams shall field the same number of players throughout the game

Periods of Play: Two halves each of up to 10 minutes playing time – maximum 20 minutes of play

Playing Area: 50m (Length) x 40m (Width) maximum. 40m (Length) x 30m (Width) minimum

Ball Size: Size three

Kicking: None

Lineout: No, free pass from five metres in from the touch line

Scrummage: No scrums. When there is an offense where a scrum is normally awarded, a TAP and PASS is the mandatory action to restart. Teams must be given time to retire 10m

Coach Qualification: WRU Tag Leaders Award

Referee Qualification: WRU Tag Leaders Award

TAG RUGBY RULES:

Game to start with a free pass

Team conceding try to restart

Six tags, ball is turned over to opposition

Tagged player must play the ball (pass) within three seconds of being tagged

Tackler must hand back the tag to the attacking player before continuing to play, 
persistent infringement will result in the awarding of a penalty

Players must leave and enter the field of play at the halfway touchline

They must remove two tags and hand them over to substitute entering the field to 
place upon belt before replacement can effect

Substitutes must wear tag belts but with no tags

A player must have two tags before scoring a try, however if a tag is removed whilst 
scoring a try the try is awarded

If a player crosses the line with one tag, he/she is brought back out five metres from 
the try line with the tag count continuing

Players must stay on feet to score a try

Spinning out of contact away from the tackler is allowed

No hand-off allowed

Under 8 players cannot play contact rugby (i.e. 1 year above)

Free pass for all penalties

Carrying the ball in two hands is encouraged but not a tag rugby rule

Tag can continue to be played beyond U8 if both teams agree

The length of a TAG should be no less than 37.5cm (15″) and no more than 40cm (16″)

Rolling substitutions is permitted