Age Groups - Mini Rugby Mini Rugby is the first level of the playing pyramid Mini rugby developed out of a desire to introduce children to rugby at an early age - but without the complex rules. Mini Rugby is designed to introduce children to the basics of the game safely, and in line with their physical abilities at their own pace - letting them run, chase, throw, catch and score. We at Beccehamians have been running our Mini's section for over 30 years. The season runs from September 1 through to April 30. A summary of how the Mini age groups are structured is detailed below. (The full RFU guidelines are available on request.) Note that to be eligible for a particular age group, the child needs to be aged under the age group level as at 1 September, so for each season, a child must be aged 6 or under to take part in U7 rugby, 7 or under to take part in U8 Rugby, etc. At this age group the game is basically TAG rugby, the main aim is just to develop basic ball skills and key themes such as passing backwards and scoring tries! Games are usually 7 per side, and last for 7 minutes. Contact tackles are made by ‘tagging’, pulling one of the tags from the ball carrier. Once tagged, the player making the tag shouts TAG whereby the ball carrier must immediately stop and pass the ball. The TAG is then returned to the Tagged player and only then can both players continue with playing the game. There is no kicking and there are no scrums or line outs at this age group. At U8, the laws are identical to U7 to give children the chance to develop their ball skills further. Whilst the rules are the same, the difference between games at U8 and U7 are that the children have had a year longer in the schools environment - their levels of maturity, concentration and confidence is a higher. Under 9 rugby is where full contact tackling is introduced for the first time, together with rucks, mauls, and 3-man scrums, although the scrums are uncontested. There is still no kicking at this age group. Usual tackle, ruck and maul laws apply, and games are 9 per side. It is at this age group that the distinction between forwards and backs begins to become noticeable. The games increase from 7 minutes to 10 minutes each way. Under 10s sees the introduction of contested scrums and contested 2 man line-outs - but still no kicking. The main changes at U11 are the introduction of second rows to the scrum, the scrum now becomes 5 players not 3. The games now become 12 per side, line-outs can contain up to 4 players, tactical kicking is introduced in a limited form. The Laws of the game follow nearly all those of the Senior game. There are also kick-offs, conversions and free-kicks. The games increase from 10 minutes to 15 minutes each way. By now, the game is really starting to resemble the adult game As with the differences between the U7's and U8's the games for U12 are the same as for the U11, the only difference being the players are probably more technically proficient, bigger faster & stronger! Read the Code of Conduct..