The rules of Tag Rugby-notes for referees

NB: The page numbers in brackets refer to a full explanation of the rules as described in Section 1 'Rules for Tag Rugby'.

The five basic rules of Tag Rugby

RULE 1 - Method of scoring

The object of the game is to score tries. When a try has been scored you should stand on the goal-line near where the try was scored, give a loud blast of the whistle and raise your arm in the air.

Referee's signal for a try Stand with your shoulders parallel to the goal-line with your arm raised virtically. Always keep a continuous record of the score just in case there is any confusion at the end of the game. Do this immediately after a try has been scored and certainly before you let play restart. Tries tend to be scored quite frequently in Tag Rugby and it is easy to lose count if you don't keep a record.

Note:

The referee is ultimately responsible for keeping the score. Experience has shown leaving it solely to somebody else can occasionally lead to some discrepancies. Remember players are only allowed one step to score after being tagged. A try scored should be awarded if the ball is put down on or over the goal line.

RULE 2 - Passing

Remember that a forward pass is any pass where the ball travels in the direction of the opponents' goal line. It is nothing to do with which way the passer is facing or whether they run in front of the receiver after the pass has been made. Remember also, that sideways passes are allowed, as the ball has not travelled forward to the opponents' goal line. THE NO FORWARD PASS RULE

Rule 3 - The 'Tackle' (Tag)

When a tag has been made encourage defenders to hold the ribbon above their head and shout 'tagged'. You can further assist players by shouting "pass" for all to hear. If you are playing rule D,('Number of Tags') the referee can shout "pass" followed by the number of tags which have been made e.g. "pass, four''.

To avoid mistakes being made, referees may have to remind defenders that they must not shout "tagged" until after they have actually pulled the tag off.

Try to focus down at the ball carrier's waist at a "tackle" situation and watch very carefully that the ball carrier is not guarding or shielding their ribbons in any way, or using their hand, elbows or the ball to fend the defender's hand away.

Note:

Teachers, coaches and referees should encourage players to carry the ball in two hands. This will allow players to pass the ball more quickly and also help eliminate most of the above infringements. In some festivals, it is made a rule that players have to carry the ball in two hands at all times or they risk being penalised.

Rule 4 - The free pass

After you have awarded a free pass, you should initially go and stand at the place where the free pass is to be taken. To avoid any confusion you can clearly indicate this spot to players by marking the ground with your heel. Once you feel confident the players are aware of where to take the free pass, you can then move back the 7 metres to ensure defenders know how far back they should be standing.

In Tag Rugby it is always the referee, not the players, who dictate when the game is restarted. You do this by calling out "play" (not blowing your whistle).

You should always allow enough time for defenders to get back in position before restarting the game. However, if you feel the defending team is deliberately taking their time getting back then warn them and, if they persist, you can re-start the game when you feel sufficient time has elapsed.

Note:

In this situation any defender who is slow getting back, and is not yet back the required 7 metres, cannot interfere with play at the free pass.

To create some space at the start of a free pass, it is important that you ensure the defenders are back the 7 metres, and do not start moving forward until after the ball has left the passer's hands - not when you say 'play'.

If a free pass is awarded to the attacking team less than 7 metres out from the opponents' goal line, then the defending team does not have to retire back the full 7 metres. Instead, defenders can stand along their own goal-line with both feet behind the line.

Remember:

the minimum distance a free pass can be taken is 5 metres out from the goal line.

Where you have the assistance of touch judges, they can clearly identify to defenders how far back they should be from a free pass. This they can do by positioning themselves along their respective touchlines in line with where the defenders should have moved back to.

Rule 5 - Ball out of play

The ball is out of play if the ball or ball carrier goes over, or touches, the sideline. Remember the line itself is regarded as out of play in rugby. You should indicate that the ball has gone out by blowing your whistle and indicating whose possession it is. You can signal this by pointing to the team whose free pass it is. (The opposite of what referees do in football). If you have touch judges they can fulfil this role for you leaving you to get in a good position for the free pass restart. Referee's signal for ball out of play (point to the team whose free pass it is - opposite to that in football.)

Referee's signal for ball out of play (point to the team whose free pass it is - opposite to that in football.)