| Pro Tag Rules |
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THE BASICS Tag Rugby is a non-contact form of rugby where a tackle is replaced by removing a ‘TAG’ from a belt worn by the players. Each side has ‘6’ Tags to score a Try. After each Tag the Tagged player places the ball on the ground and rolls it backwards to a member of the same team standing behind them. This is called a roll ball. The team-mate standing behind is called the dummy half.  A Try is scored in the same way as any other forms of rugby, i.e. touching the ball down on the ground over or on the opposition’s Try line whilst in control of the ball. If no try is scored after the sixth Tag, the opposition shall gain possession of the ball and they shall restart play with a roll ball. As with other forms of rugby, the normal ruling pass applies, in that must be passed behind or lateral with the player being passed to. A match shall consist of two halves of 20 minutes and such injury times as may be played at the discretion of the referee. At the start of the game the Referee tosses a coin and the winner of the toss decides whether to kick-off or to choose an end. The field of play will be a maximum of 70 metres by 50 metres wide. The law of advantages takes precedence over most other laws ands its purpose is to play more continuously with stoppages for infringements. Players are encouraged to play to the whistle despite infringements by their opponents PLAYERS There are 7 players per team on the field at one time from a squad of 10. The competition will be split into two separate pools. In the ‘Social Taggers’ pool teams must have a minimum of 1 player of the opposite sex in each team, on the pitch at all times. In the Serious Taggers pool teams do not need to have a member of the opposite sex on the pitch All players must wear either Tag Rugby Shorts or a Tag Rugby Belt, which must be worn around the waist and have 2 Tags, with 1 on each side of their hips. SCORING A Try is awarded to the attacking team when they ground the ball on or over their opponents’ Try Line. 1 point is awarded for a try. In mixed games if a female scores a Try then it is worth 2 points.  A male player cannot pass the ball to another player after crossing the Try Line nor can he run back into the field of play to pass the ball to a female allowing a female to score a Try. For safety, there is to be no diving or sliding to score a Try; player must remain on their feet to score. When a Try is scored, the scoring team shall restart play with a Drop-kick from the Half-way Line. DEFENCE When a tag is removed, the defender must hold it in the air where the Tag was made, place it on the ground and assume a marker position (i.e. a position 1 metre directly in front of the player who has been Tagged), or return to the defensive line. At Roll Ball situations the defensive line, except the marker (there may only be one marker) must be at least 7 metres back from the Roll Ball. The defensive line must be at least 7 metres back at all Penalty and kick-off situations. If there is a simultaneous Tag and Offload, no action is taken and the attacker must replace their Tag before being able to attack again. The referee will call “Play on”. The marker is not allowed to retrieve the ball from the Dummy-Half position. ATTACKING When in possession of the ball, the ball carrier can attempt to position the further down field by running or passing the ball to his/her team-mates. A pass must be lateral or backwards, but not forwards, in which case a Turnover will be awarded. If an attacker in possession of the ball is Tagged in the in-goal area before he/she scores a Try and is deemed to be unable to complete the try by making one step, a roll ball will take place 5m/yd out from the Try Line. If a player in possession is Tagged behind their own Try Line, his/her team will restart play with a free from the 5m/yd line. If the Dummy-half is not in position within 3 seconds of the ball being played at a Roll Ball, a Turnover will be awarded to the Defending team. A Player in possession of the ball must not attempt to bump or fend off a defender. KICKING A Tap-kick is used to restart play after a penalty is awarded. A Grubber-kick (no higher than 1.5 metres) is permitted in general play. A grubber kick can only take place after 4 Tags have been taken by the defending team. If the ball bounces in the field of play then rolls over the touchline, a Roll Ball will be awarded to the non-kicking team 5 metres in-field from where the ball crossed the line. If the ball is kicked and it crosses the receiving team’s Try line after if strikes a player from the receiving team, a Drop-kick from the centre of the receiving team’s Try line will be awarded. KNOCK-ONS If a player propels the ball in a forward direction, a Knock-on will be ruled. A changeover will be awarded to the non-offending team in case of a knock-on and play will restart with a Roll Ball. A player may not Knock-on deliberately and a penalty may be awarded. If a player propels the ball backwards then play will continue. PENALTIES Penalties are taken by the way of a Tap-kick in any direction. If a player chooses to use the Roll Ball action instead of the Tap-kick it is still deemed as a Tap-kick. The Offending team must retire at least 7 metres (or to the defending team’s Try line) from where the Penalty is taken. Further misconduct by the offending shall allow the Referee to Advance the mark only once by 7 metres. FOUL PLAY In event of misconduct by a player, the referee shall, at his discretion, caution, sin-bin for 5 minutes or dismiss a player. To download the official RFU Tag Rugby guidelines, please click here |