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Bite sized Rules in Brief

Bite sized Rules in Brief

Ian Roberts19 Jul 2012 - 10:16
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The introduction of a non-competitive scrum and competition for the ball in the tackle continues the theme of manageable tactical and technical challenges for the children

Under 10

The scrum, often seen as almost exclusively a technical area, offers the children tactical challenges in both attack and defense. It places 8 players into a relatively small area of the pitch and creates a variety of spatial options.

The scrum is 3 player, uncontested (the team putting in the ball win it) with the nearest 3 players forming it. By engaging the nearest 3 players, all players will need to be coached the correct body position for the scrum (Tower of Power), which is also the strongest position for the tackle, ruck, maul and eventually for supporting in the line-out. It also assists in delaying early position specialization, in what is a late socialization sport.

The game manager no longer has to call or count the tackles.

The ball carrier and tackler can now contest the ball (in accordance to 15-a-side law) with one additional player from each side – effectively a mini ruck and maul. This introduces these aspects of play in manageable, bite-size chunks whilst encouraging evasion, off-load and continuity for the attack.

The basic rules are set out below:
8-a-side Transitional Contact game
1. Pitch size 30 x 60
2. 3 player scrum (nearest 3 players) uncontested
3. No line-out (restart with scrum)
4. Free pass from centre to start the game and after a score
5. Opponents must be 7 metres back from the free pass
6. Any player who is on their feet and has the ball may be tackled
7. The tackler plus one member of the defending team and the held/tackled player plus one member of the attacking team can contest the ball as long as they are on their feet.
8. The off-side line is the ball carrier

Further reading