Mixed U9 Pathway Laws
Welcome to the U9's WRU Pathway Laws page.
Please download the 'Return to Contact' booklet HERE.
For scrum ready and introduction to the tackle resource click HERE.
COACH'S ROLE:
- Develop the player through the introduction to contact
- Safety points in tackling and being tackled, develop the skills of offload, placement of the ball and the pass off ground
AIMS RATIONALE:
Encourage the offload in contact and the correct placement of the ball and introduce tackling around the legs
GENERAL:
Age : Under nine as of the first of September at the start of the season
Team Size:
- 10 a side with unlimited substitutions
- Five forwards and five backs
- 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: Half pitch
Ball Size: Size three
Re-start: A free pass to the non scoring side on halfway
Lineout: No, free pass from five metres in from the touch line
Scrummage:
- Five person non-contested scrum, the team putting the ball in must win it
- Neither team is permitted to push
- Acting scrum half must pass from the base of the scrum
- the opposition scrum half to stay at the tunnel
- All scrums must follow World Rugby process of crouch, bind, set
Kicking: None.
Coach Qualification: WRU Coaching Early Contact. (Click HERE to book on to a course.)
Referee Qualification: WRU Coaching Early Contact (click HERE to book on to a course)
NB: At all levels the "Cavalry Charge" is not allowed.
Definition of a Cavalry Charge: When the attacking team is awarded a penalty kick or free kick either a single player stands some distance behind the kicker or attacking players form a line across the field some distance from the kicker. At a signal from the kicker they charge forward. When they get near the kicker tap kicks the ball and passes to a player who had started some distance behind the kicker.
Early Contact Rugby Laws:
- For all free passes a player must place the ball on the floor and tap it forward with the foot
- If a free pass is taken incorrectly it must be taken again
- Defenders must retreat 5m when a free pass is awarded
- Defenders can only advance when the ball has been passed
- Waist high tackle or lower (the waist is the line of the shorts) only one tackler allowed
- After the 6th tackle the opposition receive the ball
- If the tackle is high then a free pass is awarded to the non offending team
- If a player is held in the tackle then the player must pass or place the ball after 3 seconds
- The defence can only tackle they are not allowed to contest for the ball
- Acting scrum half must pass the ball without delay (no pick and go) you cannot tackle this player
- No mauling allowed, if a maul is formed a free pass is given to the non offending team
- If a player is sent off then the player will be replaced by an appropriate substitute. If there is no substitute available then that team will be disadvantaged. The non-offending team does not lose a player
- The offside line is 1m back from the rear most part of the body at the tackle area
- Defenders are not permitted to rip the ball from the ball carrier
- If a hand off occurs the referee will award a free pass to the non offending team
- Rolling replacements
- Players must leave and enter the field of play at the halfway touchline
- A player may only play one year up
- At a free pass restart any first receivers can start their run a maximum of 2 metres from the player performing the free pass. Any greater distance and the "Calvary Charge" will be called resulting in a penalty at the place of infringement to the non offending team.
- Rolling substitutions are permitted
Clothing
• Players are allowed to wear approved leggings