Rules of Play by Age Group
Rugby grows with your child. The way the game is played changes a little each year, so that every age group gets rules that suit where they are in their development. It's all designed to keep things fun, safe, and just the right amount of challenging as they move up.

Your child's age group is set by how old they are at midnight on 31 August at the start of the season. So it's their age on that date, not their school year, that decides which "Under" group they play in, although the two usually line up closely.

The RFU has a clear, simple breakdown of the rules of play for every age group, from Under 7s right through to the older Juniors. You can find the rules for your child's exact age group here: Rules of play for my child's age group (RFU)

When does contact start?
This is the big question for a lot of Minis parents, so here it is plainly. Our youngest players start with tag rugby, which is all about running, passing, and finding those first muddy smiles, with no tackling involved.

Tackling and contact are introduced from Under 9s, which is broadly Year 4. From that point, the game gradually builds in more of the full contact elements year by year, always at a pace that's right for the age group. So if your child is moving up into U9 this season, this is the year things step up, and our coaches will spend plenty of time making sure they're confident and well prepared before any of it feels like a leap.

If you've got any questions about what your child's group will actually be doing on a Sunday, just ask their coach or drop us a line at minis@tjrfc.co.uk. We're always happy to talk it through.