The way to play
Rugby is a dynamic and exciting sport that is a whole lot of fun, and helps develop friendships that can last a lifetime. Small Blacks Rugby has been designed to help players develop their rugby skills as their physical ability develops, making the game as simple and safe as possible for all Kiwi kids, regardless of their age, shape or size. The Small Blacks Development Model has been developed to ensure that there is a consistency of play, coaching and player welfare at all levels throughout the country, and is a great way of getting kids involved in a team sport.
Different ages, different stages
This diagram clearly explains the Small Blacks Development model for coaches, parents and Small Blacks players. It contains easy to follow guidelines on how the game is to be played at each age. The Model has been designed to ensure that all kids who graduate from the Small Blacks programme have the best possible skill set to take them through their rugby career.
2020 - 2022 onwards: Under 11s rugby will be played at 10 a side on a ½ field (40m x 60m). U6 will be on ¼ field. All tackles are BELOW THE STERNUM.
Field Size
U6 = ¼ field = 40m x 27.5m maximum.
Goal to 10m (across the field).
Portable goalposts recommended.
Full size posts on sideline need bolsters.
Goal to 10m (across the field).
Portable goalposts recommended.
Full size posts on sideline need bolsters.
Goal to 10m (across the field).
Portable goalposts recommended.
Full size posts on sideline need bolsters.
15s must be full field.
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | U6 = ¼ field = 40m x 27.5m maximum. |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 U11Year 6 | Goal to 10m (across the field). |
| U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | 15s must be full field. |
Game Length
2 x 20 minutes maximum
2 x 25 minutes maximum
2 x 25 minutes maximum
2 x 25 minutes maximum
2 x 30 minutes maximum
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | 2 x 20 minutes maximum |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 U11Year 6 | 2 x 25 minutes maximum |
| U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | 2 x 30 minutes maximum |
Ball Size
Size 2.5 or 3 balls.
Size 3
Size 3
Size 3
Size 4
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | Size 2.5 or 3 balls. |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 U11Year 6 | Size 3 |
| U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | Size 4 |
Numbers Per Team
7-a-side.
Numbers are maximum. If a team doesn't have enough players to start a game, it should then be played with equal numbers.
10-a-side.
Numbers are maximum. If a team doesn't have enough players to start a game, it should then be played with equal numbers.
10-a-side.
Numbers are maximum. If a team doesn't have enough players to start a game, it should then be played with equal numbers.
10-a-side.
Numbers are maximum. If a team doesn't have enough players to start a game, it should then be played with equal numbers.
15-a-side.
Numbers are maximum. If a team doesn't have enough players to start a game, it should then be played with equal numbers.
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | 7-a-side. |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 U11Year 6 | 10-a-side. |
| U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | 15-a-side. |
Try
If score blow-outs are occurring (ie 35+ at halftime), both coaches MUST meet and come to an agreement as to how they can generate a more even contest.
Try = 5 pts.
If score blow-outs are occurring (ie 35+ at halftime), both coaches MUST meet and come to an agreement as to how they can generate a more even contest.
Try = 5 pts.
If score blow-outs are occurring (ie 35+ at halftime), both coaches MUST meet and come to an agreement as to how they can generate a more even contest.
Try = 5 pts.
If score blow-outs are occurring (ie 35+ at halftime), both coaches MUST meet and come to an agreement as to how they can generate a more even contest.
Try = 5 pts.
If score blow-outs are occurring (ie 35+ at halftime), both coaches MUST meet and come to an agreement as to how they can generate a more even contest.
Try = 5 pts.
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 U11Year 6 U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | If score blow-outs are occurring (ie 35+ at halftime), both coaches MUST meet and come to an agreement as to how they can generate a more even contest. |
|---|
Referee
Beginning Coach.
If no Learning Rugby referee, no tackling.
If no Learning Rugby referee, no tackling.
If no Learning Rugby referee, no tackling.
If no Playing Rugby referee, no tackling.
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | Beginning Coach. |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 U11Year 6 | If no Learning Rugby referee, no tackling. |
| U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | If no Playing Rugby referee, no tackling. |
Conversion
No Conversions.
Conversions taken from in front of posts either drop goal or punt. Points don't count.
Conversions taken from in front of posts either drop goal or punt. Points don't count.
Conversion taken from in front of posts either drop goal or punt. Points don't count.
Conversions not to be taken further out than the 15m line.
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | No Conversions. |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 | Conversions taken from in front of posts either drop goal or punt. Points don't count. |
| U11Year 6 | Conversion taken from in front of posts either drop goal or punt. Points don't count. |
| U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | Conversions not to be taken further out than the 15m line. |
Kick-off
Free pass.
Tap and pass. Kick-offs to be rotated through all players.
Punt or drop kick by scoring side. Kick offs to be rotated through all players.
Either punt or drop kick by scoring team
Normal
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | Free pass. |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 | Tap and pass. Kick-offs to be rotated through all players. |
| U9/U10Year 4 & 5 | Punt or drop kick by scoring side. Kick offs to be rotated through all players. |
| U11Year 6 | Either punt or drop kick by scoring team |
| U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | Normal |
Lineout
None
Always 5 in lineout.
Lineouts not to be contested. There is to be no lineout lifting at any level.
Always 5 in lineout.
Lineouts not to be contested. There is to be no lineout lifting at any level.
Always 5 in lineout. Lineouts not to be contested until U11 grade. There is to be no lineout lifting at any level.
Always 8 in lineout.
Lineouts can be contested. There is no lineout lifting at any level.
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | None |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 | Always 5 in lineout. |
| U11Year 6 | Always 5 in lineout. Lineouts not to be contested until U11 grade. There is to be no lineout lifting at any level. |
| U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | Always 8 in lineout. |
Scrums
None
Always 5 in a scrum.
No contest and no pushing.
Always 5 in a scrum.
No contest and no pushing.
Always 5 in scrum.
No contest and no pushing.
Always 8 in a scrum.
Contest and pushing. The push is limited to half a metre maximum. Safety is paramount. 'Scrum Factory' must be carried out by all U12 coaches.
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | None |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 | Always 5 in a scrum. |
| U11Year 6 | Always 5 in scrum. |
| U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | Always 8 in a scrum. |
Tackle
(RIP) When 'rip' is made, player passes the ball.
A 'Tackle Clinic' session must be carried out by all U8 coaches before the season kicks off. No fending. Below sternum.
Tackle must be below the sternum. No fending to the head, face or neck regions.
Tackle must be below the sternum. No fending to the head, face or neck regions.
Tackle must be below the sternum. No fending to the head, face or neck regions.
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | (RIP) When 'rip' is made, player passes the ball. |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 | A 'Tackle Clinic' session must be carried out by all U8 coaches before the season kicks off. No fending. Below sternum. |
| U9/U10Year 4 & 5 U11Year 6 U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | Tackle must be below the sternum. No fending to the head, face or neck regions. |
Kicking
No kicking in general play.
Encourage running and passing.
Encourage running and passing.
Yes
Yes
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 | No kicking in general play. |
|---|---|
| U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 | Encourage running and passing. |
| U11Year 6 U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | Yes |
Penalty
Tap and Pass.
Tap and Pass.
Tap and Pass.
Normal
Normal
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 | Tap and Pass. |
|---|---|
| U11Year 6 U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | Normal |
Subs
All players must play a minimum of half a game (this is to include at least two full quarters).
Rolling substitutions are not permitted.
Substitutions may be made at half time or approximately half way through each half when the referee will allow and signal a Substitution Break.
This applies to representative games.
All players must play a minimum of half a game (this is to include at least two full quarters).
Rolling substitutions are not permitted.
Substitutions may be made at half time or approximately half way through each half when the referee will allow and signal a Substitution Break.
This applies to representative games.
All players must play a minimum of half a game (this is to include at least two full quarters).
Rolling substitutions are not permitted.
Substitutions may be made at half time or approximately half way through each half when the referee will allow and signal a Substitution Break.
This applies to representative games.
All players must play a minimum of half a game (this is to include at least two full quarters).
Rolling substitutions are not permitted.
Substitutions may be made at half time or approximately half way through each half when the referee will allow and signal a Substitution Break.
This applies to representative games.
All players must play a minimum of half a game (this is to include at least two full quarters).
Rolling substitutions are not permitted.
Substitutions may be made at half time or approximately half way through each half when the referee will allow and signal a Substitution Break.
This applies to representative games.
| U6/U7Year 1 & 2 U8Year 3 U9/U10Year 4 & 5 U11Year 6 U12/U13Year 7 & 8 | All players must play a minimum of half a game (this is to include at least two full quarters). |
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