Shaping The Game
Update at 10th May : Clarification on Introduction in Dorset&Wilts in 2012
Clubs within Dorset and Wilts will only be expected to implement the pilot rules from U7-U9 as per the RFU guidelines.
Clubs should not implement the rules at U10s.
All festivals and fixtures at U7-U9 will be played under the New Rules of the Game.
All fixtures and festivals at U10 will be played under the existing continuum rules.
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Click Title for Guide for Parents and Coaches Update on Pilot Scheme 2nd March
NEW at 22 May :
New Rules Information Leaflet Pitch Game and Festival Guidance Referee Parent and Coach Briefing
Shaping the Game - From Tag to Tackle – the New Way
A REVOLUTIONARY way to introduce young players to contact is being spearheaded by three of the Rugby Football Union’s constituent bodies.
Durham, Hampshire and Warwickshire have all embraced a pilot scheme to encourage player involvement, retention in the sport and skill acquisition, with 59 clubs across the three counties taking part.
Click here for Slide Presentation to Dorset&Wilts Huddles
Background
In 2007 a task group chaired by future RFU President John Owen was set up to look at the RFU’s 20-year-old Continuum, including commissioning research by Exeter University.
The three-year pilot builds on the findings and embraces the current thinking in child, skill and player development.
Click here for Pilot Interim Report Peer Review Final Report and Recommendations
Exeter Research Appendices
RFU Player Development Manager Gary Townsend said: “Mini coaches do a fantastic job in introducing kids to the game, but times have moved on. What we’re looking at is ways of introducing aspects of the sport in a way that is easier to manage for players and coaches.
“The basic premise is smaller numbers means greater involvement, equals more decision making and therefore greater skill development and more enjoyment.”
In the pilot counties, Under-9s are now playing a compromise between tag and full-on tackling as Townsend explained: “If a defender grasps the ball-carrier below the armpit for the duration of three seconds, the referee will call ‘tackle’ and the ball-carrier must pass – and be allowed to pass.
“This encourages the less confident player to contribute to the team’s defensive effort, the stronger tackler to tackle round the legs as per usual, and the stronger ball-carrier to make a few metres before passing to their support, thus encouraging go-forward, handling and support.
“The emphasis is on developing an evasion game, handling and support with more time also being allowed in coaching good tackle technique. In attack the small, elusive player gains reward by being evasive and getting behind defences, the larger player gets rewarded by making ground before having to pass, and all players get rewarded by supporting and applying handling skills in a game situation.”
With significant drop-offs at the ages of 12, 16 and 18 – a problem not just for rugby – it is hoped that players will stay in the sport because they have had more involvement and enjoyment over the years.
“The Exeter University research found that there was an average of just 1.2 passes from a breakdown to a try. But in the pilot areas players are getting more touches of the ball, there’s more decision-making and more tackling,” added Townsend.
“As we all know as coaches, despite our best efforts not all children will tackle, and the redefining of the tackle rule is designed to give confidence by enabling greater contribution to the defensive effort.
“What we’re finding is that those children who aren’t quite ready for contact can still
contribute to their team’s effort. It’s also a win-win for the bigger children, who used to run through dragging three players with them. Now they have to offload, increasing their skill in offloading, plus the skill of support players. We now have a much faster game and a continuous game.”
The clubs in each county voted to adopt the pilot over three years, with Under 7 to Under-9 in year one, Under-7 to Under-10 in year two, and Under-7 to Under-11 in year three, based on the following rules:
Under-7s
· 4 a-side
· Smaller pitch
· No stoppages for knock-ons - this encourages children to pass and does not penalise an attempt to catch
· Referee should also be a coach Click Here For U7 Pilot Rules 22 May
U8 Pilot Rules 22 May
Under-9s
· 7-a-side
· Smaller pitch
· Tackle redefined as a clear grab beneath the arm-pits
· No scrums, lines-out, rucks or mauls Click Here for U9 Pilot Rules 22 May
Under-10s (to be confirmed, pending consultation)
· 8-a-side
· Competition for the ball (tackler, ball carrier plus one other from each side)
· Introduction of the scrum
Click Here for U10 Pilot Rules
Under-11s (to be confirmed, pending consultation)
· 9-a-side
· Competition for the ball (tackler, ball carrier plus two others from each side)
· Contested scrum
· Introduction of kicking
And the results are self evident according to Colin Horsley (Durham), Tony Timms (Warwickshire) and Duncan Parker of Hampshire who are leading the pilots.
Parker said: “Hampshire RFU, and Trojans FC in particular, have accepted the proposed law changes with enthusiasm and are fully confident that this is the future of mini rugby in England.
“We had anecdotal evidence from a number of clubs and coaches that as our young players moved into “contact” rugby we would lose up to 30% of them. But by trialling the pilot rules at Trojans at Under-9 level last season, without actually coaching the ruck and maul, we found 100% retention of all players, with added enthusiasm and desire to continue to learn the game.”
Horsley said: “These changes have resulted in more passing, running into space, decision making, try scoring and sheer enjoyment for the players and we have recruited more coaches, referees and parents because of its simplified rules. We have already seen at this early stage of the pilot, that expectations and enjoyment levels have been exceeded for players, coaches and parents.”
And Timms added: “The players all seem to be as enthusiastic as ever and enjoy the game, with more involvement for the Under 7s and without the pile-ups in rucks and mauls at Under-9. At Under-7s there been a revelation in skill development. With only having four players on each team during the game, the players have much more “on the ball” time with players being more involved in the game.
“The Under-9 players have progressed quickly and confidently into the tackling skill. The support for players who are less confident in the tackle has made a big difference to player’s involvement in the game and encouraged them to be braver in the tackle as their confidence grows.”
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