BRISBANE JUNIOR RUGBY UNION

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BRISBANE JUNIOR RUGBY UNION

• MINI PATHWAY REFEREE COURSE NOTES

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Mini RugbyGame Objectives

• Time and space for players to learn and develop
  skills
• Passing and receiving
• Running and evasion
• Kicking and tackling
• Support and teamwork
• Maintain and recapture possession
• Participation, All players to get a game

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Mini RugbyReferees Role

• Facilitate a game
• Educate and encourage young players
• Provide a safe playing environment
• Positive reinforcement
• Communicate directions
• Keep it simple and enjoyable
• Not to become focus point

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Mini RugbyTime, Team size and Substitutes

• Match time 2 x 20 minute halves
• 10 players per team on the field
• Teams must have even numbers at all times during
  the game
• Coaches on the field to assist the Referee with
  player management
• Substitutes can be made after a try is scored or
  when the ball is dead maximum 4 at a time
• A player that has been substituted may replace an
  injured player

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Mini Rugby Kicks and Restarts

• Kick off is by drop or punt kick
• If the ball fails to travel 10m or goes out on
  the full a second restart is taken
• The kickers team must not advance within 5m of
  the player receiving the ball or a re-kick is
  taken
• If the kick goes touch in goal a second kick is
  taken
• If the kick comes to rest in goal and the
  receiving team grounds the ball, they will be
  awarded a scrum at halfway, or they can just play
  on

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Mini RugbyScrum

• Non contested - No pushing
• Formed with 5 players per team
• No crutch binding
• Crouch-Touch-Pause-Engage Slowly
• Defending team to be 5m behind last feet and
  cannot advance until the halfback has passed the
  ball
• Halfback CANNOT run - the ball must be passed
• Opposing halfback cannot move past the mid line
  of the scrum and is to be on the same side as the
  feed

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Mini Rugby Managing the Scrum

• Make the mark and watch the players while they
  bind from the feeding side
• Ensure the distance between front rows is close
  enough that players wont loose balance when they
  come together
• Crouch-Touch-Hold-Engage slowly
• Make sure the scrum is stable before allowing the
  feed (reset if necessary)
• Move back with the ball to the attacking side
  while maintaining a view of the defending players
  
• If the scrum collapses stop play immediately

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Offside at Scrum Mini Rugby
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Mini RugbyLineout

• The lineout is non contested
• A lineout is formed with 4 players from each team
  and the halfback
• The ball is to travel 4m between shoulders
  (straight throw) if not a second throw is given
• Players not taking part in the lineout are to be
  5m from the line of touch
• The lineout ends when the halfback passes the
  ball to a player in the backline or the ball
  becomes unplayable

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Mini RugbyLineout
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Mini Rugby Managing the Lineout

• Set the distance from the thrower to the front of
  the lineout
• Set the gap between the teams and then set the
  offside lines for the backs
• Stay at the front of the lineout moving to a
  position where you can judge the throw and
  maintain vision of the defending players
• Ensure the player catching the ball is not
  hindered and can pass it to his half
• Players arent to come through the lineout or
  advance until the half has passed the ball

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Mini RugbyTackle

• A tackle has occurred when the ball carrier while
  being held is brought to ground or the ball comes
  into contact with the ground
• This includes being on one knee, sitting on the
  ground or being on top of another player who is
  on the ground
• If the ball carrier is held by an opponent but
  not brought to ground a tackle has not taken
  place and play continues

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Mini RugbyTackle

• Once a tackle has been made the tackler must
  release and move away from the tackle allowing
  the tackled player to play the ball
• No defending player may prevent the tackled
  player from playing the ball
• Arriving players must come from behind the ball
  and behind the tackled player or tackler closest
  to their goal line and be on their feet

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Mini RugbyManaging the Tackle

• Once a tackle has been made
• Arrive at the tackle zone quickly
• Communicate to the tackler to move away (tackler
  roll away)
• Communicate to the tackled player to play the
  ball (play it now)
• Communicate to the arriving players to come from
  an on side position and stay on their feet (from
  behind and on your feet)
• If the ball is trapped and players are off their
  feet call an unplayable and restart play with a
  scrum

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Mini RugbyRuck

• A ruck is formed when 1 or more players from each
  team who are on their feet in contact over the
  ball on the ground
• A ruck can only take place in the field of play,
  not the in-goal
• Players joining a ruck must have their head and
  shoulders no lower than their hips and are to
  bind with one arm around a team mate
• A ruck ends when the ball emerges the ball is on
  or over the goal line or the ball becomes
  unplayable

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Mini RugbyRuck

• Once a ruck has formed players must not
• Return the ball to the ruck
• Pick up the ball during the ruck
• While on the ground interfere with the ball
  emerging from the ruck
• Willfully collapse the ruck
• Jump on other players in the ruck
• Ruck opponents
• Pull opponents out of the ruck even if they are
  in the way

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Mini RugbyManaging the Ruck

• Once a ruck has formed communicate to the players
  that a ruck has occurred (ruck formed)
• Inform the players that they are not to use their
  hands during the ruck (no hands feet only)
• Ensure arriving players join the ruck correctly
  (come from behind)
• Check and communicate the offside lines (hold
  there or step back)

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Mini RugbyMaul

• A maul is formed when a player carrying the ball
  is held by one or more opponents and one or more
  team mates bind onto the ball carrier
• All players taking part in the maul must be on
  their feet
• A maul can only take place in the field of play
  and not the in goal
• The maul must be moving forward to the try line
  of the team that took the ball into the maul,
  sideways is not considered forward.

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Mini RugbyMaul

• Once a maul has formed players must not
• Willfully collapse the maul
• Jump on players in the maul
• Pull players out of the maul
• Join from the oppositions side of the maul
• Join in front of the ball
• Advance beyond the offside line when not joining
  the maul

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Mini RugbyMaul

• A maul ends when
• The ball is on the ground (it becomes a ruck)
• The ball or ball carrier emerges from the maul
• The ball is on or over the goal line
• When the maul becomes unplayable or it appears
  the ball will not emerge a scrum is awarded to
  the team not in possession at the commencement of
  the maul
• Prolonged wrestling for the ball isnt desirable
  and the Referee should order a scrum to the team
  not in possession at the commencement of the maul

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Mini RugbyManaging the Maul

• Once the maul has commenced communicate to the
  players that a maul is progress (maul formed)
• Ensure the defending players in the maul dont
  collapse the maul (keep it up)
• Make sure joining players are doing so correctly
  (from the back)
• Advise the team that has taken the ball into the
  maul to keep it moving forward (sideways isnt
  considered as moving)
• Dont allow prolonged wrestling

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Mini RugbyFoul Play

• Foul play is any action by a player that is
  contrary to the law and spirit of the game and
  includes
• Obstruction
• Unfair play (deliberately play unfairly)
• Repeated infringements
• Misconduct (willfully kick, trip or strike)
• Dangerous play (punch, collapse)

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Mini RugbyFoul Play

• Dangerous tackles include
• Jersey slings
• Early, late or stiff arm tackles
• Shoulder charges
• Charging or knocking the ball carrier over
  without any attempt to grasp the player
• Tackles above the level of the chest
• Any tackle that in the opinion of the Referee is
  dangerous

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Mini RugbyOptions in dealing with Foul Play

• Foul play is not to be tolerated and should be
  dealt with immediately, DO NOT play advantage
• When penalising, give a brief explanation to both
  the Captain and the player to prevent a further
  occurrence
• Caution (sin bin 5 minutes) although rare at this
  age should be used in circumstances where the
  player has been penalised and repeatedly and
  deliberately infringes
• Send off would occur for punching or stomping on
  players

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Mini RugbyA Measure of Success

• Arrive early be in a position to get it right
• Communicate your directions early - prevention
  provides continuity
• Young players require assistance not just
  punitive measures
• When admonishment is necessary do so at their
  level, often this is a good time to speak quietly
  and offer a few words of encouragement to ease
  the situation
• You are a Teacher not a Policeman