Tiverton RFC · Junior Section · Registration Guides
Est. 1868 · Devon's oldest club
Tiverton RFC · Junior Section · Registration Guides
Est. 1868 · Devon's oldest club
Junior rugby grows with your child. Each season adds something new to the game, one step at a time. Find your child's age group below to see what is new this season, and download our free parents' guide to each new part of the game.
Everyone starts with tag rugby. Players wear a belt with two tags, and pulling a tag off the ball carrier takes the place of a tackle. There is no tackling, no kicking and no scrums or lineouts, so the focus is on running, dodging, passing and having fun. Under 7s play up to 4-a-side and Under 8s up to 6-a-side, on a bigger pitch.
Under 9s is the first season of contact. Tags are gone and the tackle arrives, but nothing else yet: no rucks, mauls, scrums, lineouts or kicking. Tackles must be below the base of the sternum (the tummy or below), and once the referee calls "Tackle" the ball carrier has three seconds to pass. It is 7-a-side, and learning to tackle and be tackled safely is the big job this year.
Under 10s is 8-a-side and brings two big new areas. The first is the breakdown: small rucks and mauls, with only a couple of players from each side involved. The second is the scrum: three players a side, with no pushing, and the ball fed in by the scrum half. There is still no kicking and no lineouts.
Under 11s is 9-a-side on half a normal pitch, and this is the season kicking arrives. Matches restart with drop kicks. Players can kick tactically in open play, and a clean catch of an opponent's kick in open play is a "mark" that wins a free kick. Kicks to touch and quick throws also come in. Rucks and mauls grow to three players a side, and both hookers may now strike for the ball in the scrum.
Under 12s is 12-a-side, and the breakdown opens up. The normal ruck and maul laws apply, with no limit on how many players can join. A player who rips the ball can now run with it. The scrum grows to five players a side in a 3-2 shape, still with no pushing. The hand-off also arrives, but only below the armpits.
Under 13s is 13-a-side on a bigger pitch, which runs inside the 5m lines of a full-size one. Scrums become six players a side and, for the first time, may push, but only 1.5 metres. Players can now kick a loose ball along the ground (a "fly hack"). The referee can send a player to the sin bin for five minutes. Opponents must now retreat 10 metres at free kicks.
Under 14s is full 15-a-side rugby on a full-size pitch, and three big areas arrive. Lineouts come in, uncontested and without lifting. The scrum becomes the full eight players a side. Penalties are used for serious offences, so players can now kick at goal, box kick and drop goals. New for 2026/27, try-line drop-outs also start at U14.
From Under 15s the game follows World Rugby's Laws of the Game, with the Under 19 and RFU safety variations. In the lineout, players may now be lifted and supported, although the lineout is still uncontested (the RFU sets these U15 lineout rules for boys' teams). The 50:22 kick also comes in: kick from your own half, and if the ball bounces in the field and then goes into touch inside the opposition 22, your team throws in.
The last new area arrives at Under 16s: the lineout becomes fully contested, so both teams can lift and compete for the throw. From here to Under 18s players are playing the full game, still with the Under 19 and RFU safety variations.
Want to help your child between sessions? These three YouTube channels specialise in rugby skills for young players. You don't need to know anything about rugby to follow along, and most of the drills need nothing more than a ball and a garden or park.
The Rugby TrainerBen John · ages 10–15Made for junior players and the parents helping them at home. Short sessions on passing, catching, kicking, footwork, tackle technique and confidence in contact. The channel also advertises a paid online academy; the free videos are plenty to get started.Watch on YouTube
Kaizen RugbyIsaac Marsh · older juniorsAimed at aspiring players who want to reach their potential, with tips on skills such as kicking a spiral and on how to structure training. Best suited to older juniors who are starting to plan their own training.Watch on YouTube
Luke Treharne · This is 7sWales Sevens captain for over five yearsStep-by-step skills from an international sevens player: sidestepping, getting faster, the scrum half pass, the chip and chase and the cross-field kick. There are also vlogs about life as a professional player.Watch on YouTube