Basic Rules for Flag Rugby Sainte- Julie Mini Rugby Montreal Irish Rugby Football Club Sainte- Julie Proud Sponsor of Mini Rugby Le Groupe Beauchesne Established Since 1954 www.groupebeauchesne.com
Flag or Tag Rugby is a non- contact version of Rugby Players are required to wear a flag belt around their waist. The flags are attached to the flag belt with Velcro. Flag Rugby is similar to a rugby 7s or rugby 15s team. As the players attack, the ball carriers either try to run past the defense or by passing the ball to another player to score a try. The defensive team s goal is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by taking the flag off the flag belt. Teams are gender mixed each team must have at least one female player (minimum) on the field at all times.
Basic Rules for Flag Rugby Fun the most important rule is to have fun and enjoy yourself during the game. Remember that the other team, referees and spectators are there to have fun too! No contact- No contact whatsoever is allowed or tolerated between players on the field. Voluntary or involuntary contact is penalized. The referee may elect to stop the play if he or she anticipates that contact may happen e.g. two players going for the ball on the ground at the same time (result referee assesses a penalty) Respect Players must respect the referees and the other players at all times. Abusive language and bad or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated. A yellow card will be assessed player will be sent to the penalty zone for 5 minutes. Security Players are not allowed to wear jewelry, watches, rings, etc. which may scratch or otherwise hurt another player on the playing field. All players must wear appropriate footwear for the playing field and for any inclement weather conditions
Equipment Players must wear approved flag rugby belts. Because of the belts players t- shirts must be tucked into their shorts in such a way that they do not interfere or otherwise cover the flags thereby preventing opposing players from reaching them. Figure 1 - Example of correct way to wear flag belt
Team A team consists of 7 players on the field at any given time with a minimum of 1 female player on the field at all times. Teams are a maximum of 12 players per side. Teams can agree beforehand on the number of female players before the start of the game. There are no restrictions on replacing players during the game as long as they happen during the stop in plays. Scoring The goal of Flag Rugby is to score the most try s by touching the rugby ball on the opponents goal line or in the goal zone. 1 point is awarded for each try scored by boys and 3 points for girls. Length Games are 35 minutes long split into two 15- minute halves with 5 minutes for half time. Teams can agree on longer or shorter halves approval is required from the referee before the game starts. Defense - The aim of the defenders is to try to rip off the flag (or tag) from the attacker who is running with the ball.
Re- Starting the Game - Once the Flag is taken off- the defender must throw it to the ground and yell Flag. The game will stop and the attacking team will commence at that very spot with a roll- ball. Roll- Ball the attacking player will then restart at the same spot by rolling the ball between their legs to another player. This player will either run with the ball or pass the ball to another player. This is the way that the ball is put back into play. Off side - 5 meter line from Goal: The defending team has to stay back 5 meters from the roll ball or penalty line. The referee will mark this line. Offside is called if the defending team does not respect the 5- meter distance (result penalty) Advantage The rule governing advantage applies in that the play continues at the discretion of the referee. Number of Flag Attempts - Attacking team has 5 attempts to score. On the 6th flag attempt the ball is turned over to the opposing team. The ball is put back into play using the roll- ball method.
Passing No forward passing is allowed. If a player drops the ball forward, the attacking team forfeits possession. The ball will be turned over to the defending team and put back into the game using roll- ball. Ball Out of Bounds If the ball carrier or the ball goes out of bounds, the ball is turned over to the opposing team. The ball will be placed 5 meters parallel to the exit point and the defending team will use the roll- ball to continue the game. Blocked or Covered Flags players are not allowed to block or cover the flags by using their hands, shorts, ball or covering with their shirt (result penalty) Kicking (if allowed) after a try is scored the ball can be put back into play by a kick from the field mid- point. The ball must be kicked at least 10 meters Flag removed while Passing If the ball carrier has their flag removed during or before they pass the ball, the referee will call Play On and the play continues. That player with one flag continues to play until the play ends.
Note that the games are played on one half of a soccer or rugby field.