• Home
• Coaching
• FAQ
• Program
• News
• Contacts
• Tuck 'n' Teas
• Links
• Pictures

Kelso Cougars Mini Rugby

Coaching and Rules

Coaching

Our coaching staff are a mix of ex-players and enthusiastic parents and we welcome anyone that is willing to spend some time with the kids. Kelso RFC kindly sponsor all coaches through the SRU Foundation coaching course to ensure proper standards are maintined. Importantly, all potential coaches must be vetted by the Scottish Child Protection Agency and cleared through their approval process before starting. The safety of the kids remains our No.1 priority in all aspects of the game.

Our current coaching staff and the age groups they look after are detailed below.

page top

Mini Rugby Rules

1. Numbers
   6 a side
2. Ball size
   3
3. Starts, Restarts and Penalties
   
   1. All starts, restarts and penalties are 'tap and pass'
   2. At least one pass must be made after a tap and pass before a score is allowed
   3. The opposing team must be back 5m, where possible, and not advance until a pass has been made.
4. Scrum
   
   1. There are no scrums. A tap and pass are given for all infringements.
5. Touch
   Game restarts with a 'tap and pass' by non-offending team at the point of touch, opposition 5m back, at least one more pass must be made.
6. Open Play
   
   1. The team in possession is responsible for the continuity of play. If the ball does not emerge within 5 seconds from a ruck/maul situation possession goes to the opposing team and the game restarts with a 'Tap and Pass'
   2. A pile up must be stopped immediately and a tap and pass awarded to the side going forward
   3. Ball must be held in two hands at all times. The 'Hand Off' is not permitted.
   4. All tackles must be below waist and defending players are not allowed to target the ball or prevent the ball from being played.
   5. Tackled player must pass, play or release the ball and move away immediately.
   6. In open play the ball is the offside line.
7. Kicking
   No kicking is allowed
8. Time
   2 x 10 minutes recommended
9. Pitch Dimensions
   35m x 35m
10. Scoring values
    Try = 1 point
11. In addition to the Game Coach (Referee), a Team Coach from either side may be on the pitch. In the event of misconduct a team coach may be dismissed.

1. Numbers
   8 a side, 3 forwards, 5 backs
2. Ball size
   4
3. Starts, Restarts and Penalties
   
   1. All starts, restarts and penalties are 'tap and pass'
   2. At least one more pass must be made after a tap and pass before a score is allowed
   3. The opposing team must be back 5m, where possible, and not advance until a pass has been made.
   4. After a try the scoring team must be allowed to return to their own half before the tap and pass.
4. Scrum
   
   1. All scrums must be at least 5m from the goal line.
   2. 3 person front row
   3. No pushing or wheeling
   4. Both hookers must strike, once the ball touches the ground.
   5. Scrum half must pass and one more pass made before a score is allowed
   6. The opposition scrum-half must must remain at the midline and allow the pass.
   7. Both sets of backs must be back 5m from the scrum until the ball emerges
5. Touch
   Game restarts with a 'tap and pass' by non-offending team at the point of touch, opposition 5m back
6. Open Play
   
   1. The team in possession is responsible for the continuity of play. If the ball does not emerge within 5 seconds from a ruck/maul situation possession goes to the opposing team and the game restarts with a 'Tap and Pass'
   2. A pile up must be stopped immediately and a scrum awarded to the side going forward
   3. Ball must be held in two hands at all times. The 'Hand Off' is not permitted.
   4. All tackles must be below waist and defending players are not allowed to target the ball or prevent the ball from being played.
   5. Tackled player must pass, play or release the ball and move away immediately.
   6. In open play the ball is the offside line.
7. Kicking
   Kicking is only allowed within 5m of the kicker's goal line
8. Time
   2 x 15 minutes recommended
9. Pitch Dimensions
   70m x 35m
10. Scoring values
    Try = 1 point
11. In addition to the Game Coach (Referee), a Team Coach from either side may be on the pitch. In the event of misconduct a team coach may be dismissed.

1. Numbers
   10 a side, 5 forwards, 5 backs
2. Ball size
   4
3. Starts, Restarts and Penalties
   
   1. All starts, restarts and penalties are 'tap and pass'
   2. At least one more pass must be made after a tap and pass before a score is allowed
   3. The opposing team must be back 5m, where possible, and not advance until the pass has been made.
   4. After a try the scoring team must be allowed to return to their own half before the tap and pass.
4. Scrum
5. All scrums must be at least 5m from the goal line.
6. No pushing or wheeling
7. Both hookers must strike, once the ball touches the ground.
8. Scrum half must pass and one more pass made before a score is allowed
9. The opposition scrum-half must must remain at the midline and allow the pass.
10. Both sets of backs must be back 5m from the scrum until the ball emerges

• Touch
  

1. Uncontested line-out to restart; 3m from touch line, all forwards involved except hookers.
2. Only throw-in team can jump for ball, catcher must attempt to have hands above head and feet off ground. No supporting of the jumper is allowed.
3. Scrum half must pass immediately the ball emerges and one more pass made before a score is allowed
4. If ball is caught it can be driven but once a maul forms it must emerge within 5 seconds.
5. Non throw-in team must not jump for the ball, must keep hands below head height and not interfere until the ball is caught and the jumper has landed.
6. Both sets of backs nust be back 5m from line-out until the ball emerges.

• Open Play
  

1. The team in possession is responsible for the continuity of play. If the ball does not emerge within 5 seconds from a ruck/maul situation possession goes to the opposing team and the game restarts with a 'Tap and Pass'
2. Ball must be held in two hands at all times. The 'Hand Off' is not permitted.
3. All tackles must be below waist and defending players are not allowed to target the ball or prevent the ball from being played.
4. Tackled player must pass, play or release the ball and move away immediately.
5. In open play the ball is the offside line.

• Kicking
  Kicking is only allowed within 5m of the kicker'sgoal line
• Time
  2 x 15 minutes recommended
• Pitch Dimensions
  70m x 45m
• Scoring values
  Try = 1 point
• In addition to the Game Coach (Referee), a Team Coach from either side may be on the pitch. In the event of misconduct a team coach may be dismissed.

Updated 5 August 2007
by Webmaster