The Divisions: Age Appropriate Variations

Owls (Division 4)

(entering Kindergarten, and 1st grade,
approx. ages 5-6) 

This is Flag Rugby at its simplest, the rugby version of T-Ball. It is strictly for fun with lots of games and ball chasing exercises. The Owls should have a head coach and an assistant who will lead practices in their absence. Coaches will need to recruit enough parental involvement to keep a ratio of around 5-6 kids to every grown up. These young players will prove full of enthusiasm but with a very limited attention span, so it is important to keep them moving. Not all programs will have and Owls team so games will not necessarily be scheduled for the tournaments, however if enough kids show up, something should always be arranged.

Turnover/Penalty taken as a standing free pass to restart play. Opposition back 3 meters.

• • Place kicks to start halves and after score (scoring team kicks off).
• • At all kicks, receiving team must gain possession.
• • Five (5) point tries, no conversions.
• • No Scrums, knock-forwards result in a turnover from site of knock.
• • Uncontested Lineouts, 1 meter space. Throwing team must gain possession.
• • No open field kicking.
• • Turnover/Penalty taken as a standing free pass to a teammate. Opposition must retreat 3 meters.
• • A Coach is allowed on field with players during the game.
• • Approximate field dimension: 20m x 30m (1/4 of standard rectangular field)

Falcons (Division 3)

(entering 2nd and 3rd grade, approx. ages 7-8)

The Falcons are a significant step up from the Owls. The falcons will have a much greater attention span and hence will begin to learn some of the conventions of the game. The focus at this age needs to be ball handling, and the fun and skill of moving the ball as a team. For this reason, uncontested scrums and line-outs are added so that the 7-8 year olds begin to learn what the set pieces are, but also will realize they should be avoided because they slow down the running game. Kicking is introduced in the form of punts for conversions, instilling in them the strategic value conversions have on the score line.

• • Place kicks to start halves and after score (scoring team kicks off).
• • At all kicks, receiving team must gain possession.
• • Five (5) point trys.
• • Two (2) point conversion taken as a punt directly in front of the posts. The try scorer will take the kick. (Kick optional depending on post availability).
• • Uncontested Lineouts, 1 meter space.  Throwing team must gain possession.
• • No open field kicking.
• • Uncontested, no push Scrums. Team with put in gains possession. Full Bind.
• • Turnover/Penalty taken as a standing free pass to a teammate. Opposition must retreat 3 meters.
• • A Coach is allowed on field with players during the game.
• • Approximate field dimension: 25m x 50m (1/3 of standard rectangular field)
• • Ball: Number 4 International Rugby Board Standard

Hawks (Division 2)  

(entering 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, approx. ages 9-11)

• • Drop Kicks to start halves.
• • Scoring team drop kick to re-start.
• • Staying on their feet, the kicking team may contest for ball after it travels 5 meters, however kicks must be made with the intention to turn over.
• • Five (5) point trys.
• • Two (2) point conversion taken as drop kick opposite the place where the ball was touched down, up to a maximum distance of 5 meters from posts. (Soccer box may serve as hash marks.)
•  • Conversion should be taken within 30 seconds of the try and restart should be taken within 30 of conversion kick. (Conversion is optional, depending on whether or not the field has posts).
• • No push Scrums, contested by the hookers only and with one foot only. Full Bind.
• • Contestable two man lineouts, spaced 2 meters apart, no jumping in to the tunnel.
• • Open field kicking permitted. Barging will be penalized.
• • At penalties, referee will give mark, and opposition must retreat 5 meters.  No quick penalties. A Penalty is taken as a tap off the ground and pass to a teammate, or as a kick to touch (kicking team gets the throw).

• • Approximate field dimension: 40m x 60m (up to 1/2 of standard rectangular field). 

With the Hawks, we introduce the all-important set piece skills of contested scrums and contestable lineouts.

Eagles (Division 1)   

(entering 7-9th grades, ages 12-14)

The Eagle division is the full Flag Rugby Game. It includes many of the conventions of the Adult game while at the same time remaining non-contact to protect them. This game is designed to be played with equal enjoyment by co-ed players from age 12 and up.

• • Drop Kicks to start halves.
• • Scoring team drop kick to re-start.
• • Staying on their feet, the kicking team may contest for ball after it travels 5 meters, however kicks must be made with the intention to turn over.
• • Five (5) point trys.
• • Two (2) point conversions taken as drop kick opposite where try was scored.
• • Conversion should be taken within 30 seconds of the try and restart should be taken within  30 seconds of a of conversion kick. 
• • Open field kicking permitted. Barging will be penalized.
• • Three (3) point drop goals permit from open field.
• • Tackle/Ruck variation will be used for the Eagle Level.
• • No push Scrums, contested by the hookers only and with one foot only. Full bind.
• • Contestable two man lineouts, spaced 2 meters apart, no jumping in to the tunnel.
• • At penalties, referee will give mark, and opposition must retreat 5 meters.  No quick penalties. A Penalty is taken as a tap off the ground and pass to a teammate, as a kick to touch (kicking team gets the throw), or as a drop goal attempt.

• • Approximate field dimension: 40m x 60m (up to 1/2 of standard rectangular field). 

• • Penalty taken as tap off the ground, kick to touch, or three (3) point drop kick at goal
• • Approximate field dimension: 40m x 60m (up to 1/2 of standard rectangular field).
• • Ball: Number 4 or 5 International Rugby Board Standard.