Maximum of 8 players on the field at any one time. Minimum 5. Any less, forfeit.
Defender must remove one tag to stop Attackers progress. He/she drops it to the ground marking where the ball must be played. If the Defender throws the tag more than 1 metre away, penalty.
Defensive line is set 7 metres back from the play-the-ball area and can only move forward when dummy half touches the ball. Dummy half can run and be tagged with the ball.
There is a marker in the play-the-ball.
Attacking team has 6 tags to promote the ball before a changeover occurs.
A knock back is play on. Knock on, advantage rule applies – same as rugby league.
The game is non-contact. The Attacker can not deliberately bump or spin (rotate) into the Defender. A Defender can not change direction and move into the Attackers path. Whoever initiates contact will be penalised. The onus is on the attacking player to avoid the defender.
A tag is called if the ball carrier touches or adjusts their tags whilst in possession.
The ball carrier can not jump to evade a tag or fend off Defenders with their free hand – Penalty.
If tagged over tryline before 6th tag, the Attacking team plays-the-ball 5 metres out from tryline.
KICKING
When a try is scored the scoring team shall kick-off to restart play. (Local Bosco Rule)
The ball from the kick-off must travel 10 metres before any player may take possession. If it crosses the Defenders tryline or goes into touch on the full, penalty to defenders at half way. If caught on the full over Defenders tryline, play on. If it lands in the field of play then goes into touch, changeover.
A team may kick the ball before the 1st tag is made only at the start or re-start of play (eg: a player picks up the ball from a kick off and kicks the ball before being tagged or after a penalty kick). Once a tag has been made or after a changeover, the ball may not be kicked again until after the fourth tag.
Kicks in general play can not be above the shoulder height of the referee. The Attacking team can not dive on a kicked ball in any situation but can kick on.
If the ball lands in the field of play then rolls across the try line whether touched or not, a goal line drop out occurs. Attacking team can not kick, chase & regather over try line to score.
OTHER IMPORTANT RULES
Players can dive to score a try however if he/she slides over the tryline or his/her knees or arms touch the ground before the tryline and a Defender is within tagging distance, no try and a tag is counted with play-the-ball no more than 1 metre from tryline unless on 6th tag when a changeover occurs.
An Attacking player can dive or go down on his or her knees and ground the ball AFTER they cross the tryline even though a Defender may be in tagging distance. In this instance, the try is allowed.
Tags must be placed to hang vertical to the ground, not horizontal.
If the ball hits the referee, the referee will order a changeover where he was struck.
An Attacker must stop and play the ball if they are in possession with only one tag on.
The only persons able to promote the ball with one tag on are the dummy half and the player taking the tap as long as they do not take more than one step with the ball.
Simultaneous tag is play on. If the referee is unable to decide, the pass is allowed – play on. The advantage or benefit of the doubt goes to the Attacking team.
Unsportsmanlike conduct covers the behaviour and attitude of players on the field and will result in a penalty, sin bin or dismissal.
If a defender removes an attackers tag when they are not in possession of the ball, after the attacker has passed or kicked the ball, the Referee should call “Late Tag, Play On” and allow the attacking team to progress the ball with only one or no tags on. This may result in a player scoring with one or no tags on. This is one case of the “Advantage Rule” being applied. If there is No Advantage, award a penalty.
JUNIOR RULE CHANGES - September 2009
1. At the Play the Ball there is NO MARKER in Under 8's and Under 10's and the defensive line can not move until 1ST Receiver has the ball (unless Dummy Half takes more than one step or runs with the ball).
2. The Defensive line can not move until 1ST Receiver has the ball (unless Dummy Half takes more than one step or runs with the ball).
3. Dummy Half may run but if tagged a changeover occurs.
4. DUMMY HALF can not score.
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