The Rules of Tag Rugby
Rule 1 - Method of scoring
A try is worth one point. To score a try a player must carry the ball over the opponents'
goal line and press the ball down on the ground. After a try is scored the game
restarts from the centre of the field with a free pass by the non-scoring team.
(See Rule 4, 'The Free Pass')
Rule 2 - Passing
No forward passes are allowed and will be penalised by a free pass being awarded
to the non-offending team at the place the ball left the player's hands. A forward
pass is any pass where the ball travels in the direction of the opponents' goal
line. Note: A pass directly sideways is allowed and in fact can be the most effective
pass players make as no ground is lost with this type of pass.
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Rule 3 - The 'Tackle' (Tag)
Only the player with the ball can be tagged and a tag is simply the removal by a
defender of one of the two ribbons from the ball carrier. Ball carriers can run
or dodge potential taggers but cannot fend them off, spin around or guard or shield
their ribbons in any way. This includes using the ball to fend away defenders. The
defender then holds the ribbon above their head and shouts 'tag' for all to hear.
Defenders must back off at least one metre from the ball carrier, allowing space
for them to pass. They are not allowed to snatch the ball from the player's hand.
Once tagged, the player in possession of the ball must attempt to stop as soon as
possible and pass the ball within 3 seconds of being tagged. Even at full pace,
the ball carrier will be expected to stop in 3 strides. Near the goal line, players
are only allowed one step to score after being tagged. If their momentum means they
have taken 2 or 3, then they must attempt to pass to a team-mate to score, even
if they are now over the goal line. Note: Players can pass in the act of stopping.
After a tag has been made, both the ball carrier and the defender are momentarily
out of the game. The defender can take no further part until they have handed back
the ribbon to the attacker (not thrown it on the floor) and the attacker no further
part, until they have replaced their ribbon back on their belt. Note: The defender
hands back the ribbon only after the attacker has passed the ball. Very occasionally,
a ball carrier may accidentally flick off one of their own ribbons in the act of
running, making it very difficult for a defender to tag them. In this case the game
should be stopped and the player allowed to replace it. The game then restarts with
a free pass to the team in possession at the place where the ribbon came off.
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Rule 4 - The Free Pass
A free pass is used to start the game (from the centre of the field) or to restart
it at the place where the ball went out of play or an infringement took place. Note:
If an infringement takes place over the goal line, or within 5 metres of the goal
line, then a free pass should be awarded to the non-offending team, 5 metres out
from the goal line to create some space. At a free pass the ball is held in two
hands and on the instruction 'play' given by the referee the player passes the ball
to a team-mate. Note: It is the referee who dictates when a free pass is taken by
saying 'play'. Players cannot take a quick free pass in Tag Rugby, instead referees
must allow sufficient time for defenders to get back before restarting the game.
The player making the free pass must start play with a pass, they are not allowed
to run with it themselves. The opposition cannot start moving forward until the
player has actually passed the ball. At a free pass, the opposition must be 7 metres
(10 large steps) back.
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Rule 5 - Ball out of play
If the ball or ball carrier goes out of play a free pass is given to the other team
from the sideline.
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Rule 6 - Offside
Off-side only occurs immediately after a tag has been made and only those defenders,
who interfere with the game, should be penalised. In simple terms, once a tag has
been made all defenders should make an effort to get back on their side of the ball
and not deliberately stand in an off-side position, blocking the pass or waiting
for an interception. Off-side is penalised by awarding a free pass to the non-offending
team. Note: Where defenders find themselves in an off-side position at a 'tag',
they should be encouraged to get back on-side as quickly as possible, or clearly
indicate they have no intention of interfering with play by either ducking right
down, or by putting both arms straight above their head and getting out of the way.
They must not block, intercept or interfere with the pass in any way. Once the pass
has been made and play continues there is no off-side in the game until the next
ball carrier is tagged.
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Rule 7 - Advantage
The advantage rule states that if an infringement has occurred, the referee should
not whistle immediately but wait to see if the opposition gain a territorial or
tactical advantage from it. If they clearly do, then play should be allowed to continue.
However, if the non-offending team does not in fact gain an advantage, the referee
shall whistle and bring play back to the place of the original infringement and
award a free pass to the non-offending team.
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Rule 8 - Number of Tags ('tackles')
The team in possession of the ball is given a set of 6 consecutive tags to score
a try. Failure to score after this set number of tags results in a 'turnover', with
the opposition gaining a free pass at the place the last tag took place. After a
free pass has been awarded, the number of tags start back to zero.
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Other Rules
- No kicking - no kicking is allowed in Tag Rugby.
- No hand-offs - no hand-offs on the body or face or to swipe a defender's hand away
to stop them taking your ribbons. This includes using the ball to fend off defenders.
- No diving on the ball - for safety players are not allowed to dive on a loose ball
but instead must remain on their feet to play it.
- No spinning - ball carriers are not allowed to deliberately spin around to avoid
being tagged.
- No deliberate barging into defenders - for safety, the ball carrier and the defender
should attempt to avoid contact with each other at all times.
- No diving to score a try - Tag Rugby is played by players on their feet, players
are not allowed to dive in the act of scoring.
Whenever the Tag Rugby rules are broken, a free pass is awarded to the other team
at the place the infringement took place and the number of tags start back to zero.
If the infringement took place over the goal line, or within 5 metres of it, the
free pass is awarded 5 metres out from the goal line to create some space.
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