Mod League Rules
Introduction
Mod League Rules
Who Plays Mod League Rugby
Number of Players
Periods of Play
Size of the Pitch
Size of the Ball
Six Tackle Rule
Try Scoring
Play-the-Ball
Kicking
Starting & re-starting the game
Scrums
Other infringement restarts
International Rugby League Rules
Introduction
We take a look at the modified rules which apply to Mini/Mod Rugby League. All rules applying to International Rugby League apply to Mini & Mod Rugby League except where they are modified below. All care has been taken in compiling these Modified Rules, but you should refer to the latest issue of the official rules should a dispute arise.Remember, rugby league is a game of advantage. The advantage rule applies to all decisions made by the referee, so a referee may elect to play-on if an infringement has occurred, especially if the attacking side has momentum. (e.g. There may be no advantage if a quick play-the-ball in Under 9s up allows the attacking side to make a clean break and no marker was present. A penalty could allow the defence to regroup and end the momentum of the attack.)
Our Mini/Mod referees are unpaid volunteers/coaches. Please respect their amateur status and direct any complaints about referees through the correct channels. Don't direct personal abuse at the referee, as it gives the wrong impression to our young players. Remember, Club Coaches give up their time to referee for no monetary reward and the rules are not simple as you can see from these summaries. Back to top
Mod League Rules
1. The game shall be called Mod League and is a modified version of Rugby League Back to topWho Plays Mod League Rugby
2. The game to be played by all children at Years 5 and 6 primary school which is under the age of eleven years at midnight on 31 August (at the start of each season), as prescribed by the League Commission.In other words Under 10's and Under 11's play Mod League Rugby Back to top
Number of Players
3. The number of players per team is eleven (5 forwards & 6 backs) with as many substitutes as is needed but each player MUST play at least half a whole game.NWC 8-12's Rule 7 states that teams at Under 10's and 11's who are unable to field eight or more players the their shortfall should be made up with opposition substitutes. No game at these age groups should be called off if sixteen or more pooled players are available.
There is a limit of twenty-five players who can register for each team at these age groups - NWC 8-12's Rule 11. Back to top
Periods of Play
4. The game will be played in two halves. The maximum length of each half to be 20 minutes with a 5 minute interval. Back to topSize of the Pitch
5. The pitch dimensions should be 80 metres in length and 50 metres in width maximum. The goal posts should be padded and situated outside the field of play. Back to topSize of the Ball
6. Size of the ball: The game will be played with a Mod League ball or size 4 standard Rugby League ball. Back to topSix Tackle Rule
7. The normal 6 tackle rule applies. Back to topTry Scoring
8. A try is scored in the normal way by placing or touching the ball down on or over the opponents? try line. Back to topPlay-the-Ball
9. All defending players must retire 10 metres at the play-the-ball except for a single marker who must be square to the ball without interfering. The marker is not allowed to strike for the ball or move until the ball is passed by the acting half back or the acting half back clears the ruck (runs with the ball). The tackled player should restart the game by way of a play-the-ball. The ball must be played backwards in the correct manner and from where the tackle occurred.10. If the acting half back is tackled, in possession of the ball, it will result in a hand over of possession to the opposition. Back to top
Kicking
11. Kicking:(a) Kicking is permissible after a try has been awarded. The kick should be taken
no more than 10 metres from each side of the posts. No player is allowed a second kick at goal until every other player in the team has had an attempt.
(b) Kicking in open play from the hands (ie Bomb, Punt, Chip, Grubber) is also allowed. Secondary kicking (ie Flykicking, Dribbling) is not allowed. Back to top
Starting & re-starting the game
12. The game will commence with a place kick off from the centre line at the beginning of each half by:(a) At the start of the first half the team who loses the toss of a coin for choice of playing ends.
(b) At the start of the second half, by their opponents.
All starts and restarts, other than the commencement of each half, will be with a play-the-ball as described in Rule 9. Back to top
Scrums
13. A passive scrum shall be formed by no less than 5 players from each team.The scrum shall be formed no nearer than 10 metres from all touch lines or the try lines after the following situation:
· If the ball goes out of play in touch (not touch in goal) the scrum to form 10 metres in from the touch opposite where the ball last made contact with the field of play or a player (but no nearer than 10 metres to the goal line).
· The team NOT responsible for making the ball go out of play will have the head and feed.
· The ball must enter the tunnel of the scrum and both scrum halves must retire behind their forwards' rear feet.
· The scrum half must feed the ball in the correct manner, it is then struck (won) by the hooker of the feeding team, to enable the ball to leave the scrum through a legitimate route and according to the rules of the game.
· The scrum shall be formed. No pushing is allowed and the team without the feed of the ball cannot strike for the ball. Back to top
Other infringement restarts
14. All other infringements (knock ons, forward passes, off side etc.) will result in a hand over to the non-offending side team and they will resume play using a play-the-ball restart, which will not count as part of the six tackle count.15. Any infringement in the goal area will result in play restarting 15 metres from the goal line in a central position, the restart by the non-offending team.
16. No ball stealing.
17. Any act of foul play will result in a 10 metre advance up the field of play to the non-offending side. The game will recommence with a tap restart 10 metres infield from the nearest touchline. NB: A quick restart on the mark may also be taken; if the player is tackled in possession it does NOT result in a handover to the opposition. Back to top
International Rugby League Rules
18. Any rule not covered will be as per International RulesThese rules should be read in conjunction with the Safe Play Code which can be found elsewhere in this subsection Back to top