Tag Rugby Rules and Injury Treatment
Introduction to Tag Rugby
Tag Rugby is a fun and exciting form of non-contact rugby suitable for males and females of all ages and abilities. The game was first pioneered in England by Nick Leonard in 1991 as a way of introducing youngsters to the game of rugby. Since then, Tag Rugby has had phenomenal growth in popularity and has now spread to countries throughout the world.
The Object of the Game
The object of the game is to score tries. This is achieved by placing the ball behind the opponents’ try line. The player in possession of the ball (attacker) may run or pass the ball to achieve this but is not allowed to kick it. The ball may only be passed either sideways or backwards and not forwards to the opponents’ try line.
Backward or level pass: LEGAL
Forward pass: ILLEGAL
It is the object of the team without the ball (defensive team) to prevent the progress of the attacking team by removing a tag (ribbon) from the ball carrier. The attacking team has four (4) “tags” or “plays” to score. If a fifth (5th) tag is made, a changeover occurs and the defending team is given possession of the ball and then becomes the attacking team.
How Many Players in a Team?
There is a maximum of seven (7) players per team on the field at any one time. In mixed games, there must be a minimum of three (3) players of the opposite sex on the pitch at all times.
How Long is a Match?
The normal duration of a single game is two halves of twenty (20) minutes each, with a five (5) minute interval for half time.
Players’ Clothing
All players wear a Tag Rugby belt. Shirts should be tucked in at all times. The tags (ribbons) must be properly positioned on either side of the hips. No player can participate in the game without both tags being properly in place.
How do Players Score in Tag Rugby?
There is only one way of scoring in Tag Rugby and that is by scoring tries. A try is awarded to the attacking team when the ball carrier crosses the vertical plane of the try line. A try is worth one (1) point but to encourage more team play in mixed games a try is worth two (2) points if scored by a female.
Contact Rules
There is strictly NO CONTACT allowed between players. The only ‘contact’ allowed between the two teams is the removal of a tag from the ball carrier. Both attackers and defenders have a responsibility to avoid each other at ALL times. The ball carrier is not allowed to run directly into defenders and defenders are not allowed to block the progress of the ball carrier. No hand-offs, or using your hand, elbow, or ball to block or shield your tags in any way is allowed.
Remember: “Run at spaces not faces”
How do you ‘Tackle’ (Tag) in Tag Rugby?
Only the ball carrier can be ‘tackled’ (tagged). A ‘tackle’ (tag) is simply the removal by a defender of one of the two tags (ribbons) from the ball carrier. The defender then holds the tag above his/her head and shouts “TAG” for all to hear.
What Must the Ball Carrier (Attacker) do After Being Tagged?
In Youth Tag Rugby, there is a stoppage in play when a tag is made.
What Must the Tagger do After Making a Tag?
The tagger, and other defenders, must back off at least five meters (5 m) from the ball carrier (attacker), allowing space for the ball carrier to do a roll ball. The tagger can’t take part until they have handed back the tag (ribbon) to the attacker, and the attacker can’t take part until they have replaced their tag (ribbon).
Carrying the Ball in Two Hands
To encourage more passing and to avoid the ball carrier deliberately, or instinctively, trying to protect his/her tags (ribbons), the ball carrier MUST HOLD THE BALL IN TWO HANDS. If the ball carrier fails to do this it is helpful if the referee shouts a warning, “TWO HANDS”. If this is ignored, the player should be penalized by awarding a tap & pass to the non-offending team.
What is a Tap & Pass?
A tap & pass is used to start the game or restart it at the place the ball went out of play or an infringement or changeover took place. At a tap & pass the opposition players must retire back five meters (5 m) towards their own try line.
What is Off-Side?
Only the defending players can be penalized for being off-side. When a tag has been made all defenders must attempt to retire towards their own try line until they are 5 meters behind the ball (off-side line).
When Should Players be Penalized for Being Off-Side?
Players should only ever be penalized for off-side if they are Off-SIDE AND INTERFERING WITH PLAY IMMEDIATELY AFTER A TAG. If players find themselves in an off-side position at a tag, they must make every effort to get back on side; but if they are in no way interfering with play, then they should not be penalized and play should be allowed to continue. Off-side is penalized by 5 meters forward for the offending team.
What Happens When Somebody Does Something Wrong or a Try has Been Scored?
Whenever the Tag Rugby rules are broken, a tap & pass is awarded to the non-offending team at the place the infringement took place. When a try has been scored the non-scoring team then restart play in the center of the pitch with a tap & pass.
What Happens if an Attacking Player is Tagged Just Before Scoring?
If an attacking player is tagged before they have actually grounded the ball for a try then a try should NOT be awarded. Instead, it will count as a tag and the game will restart with a tap & pass to the attacking team, five meters (5m) out from the try line.
Things to Avoid in Tag Rugby
- No kicking: Kicking is NOT allowed in Tag Rugby.
- No diving to score or diving to the floor to secure a ball which has gone to ground.
- No pulling or knocking the ball out of the ball carrier’s hands – at any time.
- No player can participate in the game without both tags (ribbons) being properly in place.
If any of these rules are broken, then a tap & pass is awarded to the non-offending team.
Treating Sports Injuries
Rest: Stop playing immediately and take any weight off the injured area.
Ice: Apply ice to the injured area.
Compression: Using a compression bandage on the area will also help to control swelling.
Elevation: Keeping the injured part raised.
Wound Care
A wound is an injury, especially one in which the skin or another external surface is torn, pierced, or cut. Wounds can be classified into two main types:
- Open wounds: Incisions, abrasions, and puncture wounds.
- Closed wounds: Contusions, hematomas.
General ways to treat any wound:
- Stop the bleeding.
- Wash the wound.
- Use iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser.
- Cover the wound.