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Home Pathway Laws U12 Mixed Pathway

U12 Mixed Pathway

U12 Mixed Pathway

Back to Player Pathway

Welcome to the U12's WRU Pathway Laws page.

Please be advised that the laws on this page are WRU Pathway Laws which are variations of some of the World Rugby Laws. If a Law is not outlined on this page please refer to the full World Rugby Laws HERE.

In addition to the Mixed U12s Pathway Laws please find below the 'Recommended Pathway Laws' for female U12s only which, is an alternative approach to allow for a graduated journey into the full game. 

Please note that Pathway Laws do change so please check back regularly.

Please download the 'Return to Contact' booklet HERE

For scrum ready and introduction to the tackle resource click HERE.

GENERAL:

Age: Under 12 as on the 1st September at the start of the season. A player may only play up one year.

Ball Size: Size four.

Coach Qualification: WRU UKCC Level one (Click HERE to book on to a course).

Referee Qualification: WRU Level one Award (Click HERE to book on to a course).

Pitch: Full pitch

Periods of Play:

  • Two halves of up to 25 minutes playing time, maximum 50 minutes - no extra time.

Scrum:

  • All scrums must follow the World Rugby process of crouch, bind and set
  • Eight person contested scrummage with 0.5m maximum push, no wheeling
  • Both hookers may strike for the ball
  • Both scrummages must be 3-4-1 formation
  • The number eight can pick up the ball from the scrum

Lineouts:

  • Full lineout, uncontested, no catch and drive
  • No lifting
  • Penalty: Penalty kick to the non offending team
  • The ball must enter the lineout above head height
  • The ball must be passed from the lineout
  • No shortened lineouts
  • The lineout ends according to World Rugby laws
Ruck:
  • When the ball is playable referees will immediately shout “Use it” and the attacking team will have 5 seconds to move the ball away from the contact area

Penalties:

  • Players may tap and run if a PK is awarded
  • A hand off to the chest is permitted however, hand off to the face is not permitted

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U12’s Female Only Pathway Recommendation 

Below outlines the recommended pathway for the Under 12’s age group. The rationale for the pathway following a smaller sided game is to Increase the spacial awareness of players whilst continuing to focus on tackle technique. The U12’s age group is a single year age group. This is based on insight gained from focus groups in year 7 where the concerns were raised around playing with females a year up. The age see’s large transition in both personal development and education. 

COACH'S ROLE:

  • Continue to develop an understanding of the game and increase skills
  • Continue to develop the tackle technique of individuals
  • Continue to develop a fun and inclusive environment that encourages all to have a positive experience

General

AGE:

  • Under 12 as on the first of September at the start of the season
  • A player that is PLaying U11s mixed (10 at start of season)  can play up into this age group

TEAM SIZE:

  • 7 a side 3 forwards and 4 backs
  • The WRU requires that both teams shall field the same number of players throughout the game, however if a player is sent off that team is disadvantaged
  • Rolling substitutions are permitted

PERIODS OF PLAY:

  • Two halves of up to 10 minutes playing time, maximum 20 minutes - no extra time per fixture
  • The WRU Recommends that Female hubs promote round robins and/or festivals to maximise playing opportunities

PLAYING AREA:

  • A full size field marked out to 70m (length) x 50m (width) 

BALL SIZE:

  • Size Three

COACH QUALIFICATION:

UKCC Level one. UKCC Level two Coach Award recommended

REFEREE QUALIFICATION:

WRU Level one Award

 

Scrums:

  • All scrums must follow the World Rugby process, crouch, bind, set
  • Scrums are uncontested
  • Both scrummages must have 3 in the scrum. Where numbers are increased to 12 the number in the scrum will be 6
  • At all times numbers must be matched
  • The Ball needs to be thrown in according to World Rugby Law

Scrum Half:

  • The offside line for the scrum half at a scrum is the midline of the scrummage
  • The scrum half may pass or run from the scrum

Lineout:

  • Minimum numbers of 2 in the lineout, uncontested, no catch and drive. No lifting. Penalty: Penalty kick to the non offending team 
  • The ball must enter the lineout above head height
  • 
If the ball is knocked on the opposition will have the choice of a lineout or scrum
  • The ball must be passed from the lineout

  • No shortened lineouts

  • The lineout ends according to World Rugby laws

Kicking:

  • The non scoring team to re-start with a drop kick
  • Kicking is allowed anywhere on the field

Penalty:

  • For Touch in own half. No option for posts 

Free Kick:

  • Tap and pass in any area of the field

Kick Off:

  • Drop kick

Conversion:

  • Teams can kick at goal after a try from in front of the posts 

Penalties:

  • Penalties may be kicked from the hand
 to touch in own half
  • For tap penalties, a player must place the ball on the ground and tap it forward with the foot or drop the ball on to the foot
  • 

If a try is scored a kick from directly in front of the post can be taken by the try scorer or a nominated kicker

 Hand Off:

  • A hand off to the chest is permitted
  • There will be no hand off to the face