St. Senans Rugby

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Underage (Mini Rugby)

Mini Rugby Introduction

Most governing bodies of sport now recognise the advantage of introducing their game to young players through a modified version of their adult game. Mini Rugby pioneered this child centred approach in the early seventies, aiming to meet the needs of the young player without losing essential skills and characteristics of Rugby Football.

Prior to its development, young players had found it difficult to cope with the demands of the 15-a-side game; the pressures of a full scrum, the variety of skills to refine, the complexity of the laws, and fifteen opponents to contend with. The I.R.F.U. were therefore, concerned that children should learn through a game that they could actually play and enjoy without struggling to overcome such demands.

MINI RUGBY FACILITATES THIS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

1. Young players can sample the thrills of Rugby in a game specially adjusted to their age and size.

2. As the laws are fewer and simpler, coach and player more easily understand the game and its concepts.

3. Refereeing is simpler as there are fewer laws to know and apply.

4. As there are fewer skills to learn, the coach can concentrate on teaching and developing the basic individual skills of handling, running and tackling.

5. Due to the shorter duration of matches, more time is available for teaching and coaching.

6. Play area and equipment are smaller allowing a more natural skill development.

7. The game comprises all aspects of the full 15-a-side game.

8. Mini Rugby is taught in a safe and friendly environment.

St. Senans Rugby Club run a full Mini Rugby programme which supports all age categories. Training has already resumed for 2002/2003 on Saturday 31st August. Any prospective players and/or their parents/gaurdians are very welcome to come along and chat with our Youth Development Officer or Coaches any Saturday at 11am.

The Laws of Mini Rugby

Mini Rugby has been broken down into 4 distinct stages which progressively introduce and develop the fundamental skills of Rugby Football, regulations are as follows:

REGULATION	STAGE 1	STAGE 2	STAGE 3	STAGE 4
Suggested age group(s).	7's & 8's	9's & 10's	11's & 12's	13's
Ball size.	3	3	4	4
Time per half - Single Match.	10 min	15 min	20 min	25 min
Time per half - blitz days.	7 min	7 min	7 min	15 min
No. of matches allowed on blitz days.	5	5	5	3
Time allowed for half time.	1 min	1 min	1 min	1 min
No. of players in team.	8	8	10	13
No. of forwards.	3	3	5	6
No. of backs.	5	5	5	7
Safety zone between pitches.	6m	6m	6m	N/A - full pitch
Tackle height.	Waist only	Waist only	Waist only	Waist only
Hand off.	No	No	Below shoulder	Below shoulder
Time allowed for rucks and mauls.	5 sec	5 sec	5 sec	5 sec
No. of players allowed in R/M per side.	3	3	5	6
Kicking allowed.	No	No	Defence zone only	Own 22 + other
Start Match.	Pass off	Pass off	Kick-off*	Kick-off*
Method of Scoring.	Try	Try	Try	Try + conversion
Min. no. of players on panel (blitz days).	12	12	14	14

* KICK-OFF - START OF MATCH PLACE KICK, ALL OTHERS DROP KICKS.

Kicking Stage 4: Own 22 area: allowed. Other areas: the team kicking the ball must retain possession, if they fail to do so and there are no advantage for the opposition, a scrum will be awarded to the opposite team at the spot from where the ball was kicked. This is to encourage the skill of the grubber kick, chip kick and the cross kick for the wide players e.g. the wings.

The I.R.F.U. feel strongly that due to variations in the physical, mental, social and emotional developments of young children, players under the age of 7 group should be introduced to Rugby through Leprechaun Rugby (a non tackling soft version of Rugby Football).