Hi all. I am a mini rugby coach (U12's) and am occasionally required to referee games for the U12's, but have no refereeing qualifications. I became confused at the weekend as to what the exact definition of a player 'staying on their feet' is with respect to the ruck. Specifically, in the 2018 Laws under 'During the Ruck', it states "Players must endeavour to remain on their feet throughout the ruck", but I do not see any further specifics. Is it allowable for a player to have their hands in contact with the ground, owing to a low body position, as they are driving through a ruck on their feet? Is 'supporting one's own weight' still a consideration in determining whether a player is on their feet or not? Or would it be the case that if a player has a hand or hands on the ground, they are automatically determined to be 'off their feet', even if they are driving forward through the ruck on their feet, and their weight is being supported by their feet?
I would be happy to be pointed to any online documentation that clarifies what 'staying on your feet' actually means.
Thanks for any help.
Tony.
hi swiss .
well done for being the parent / coach to go out & help kids play rugby . my type of guy
in irfu land , all mini coaches must do an affiliate ref course .for reffing their own matches only
usually takes about 3 or 4 hours . { you arent covered by irfu umbrella insurance if you dont }
not only that they must do a mini coaching course , use to be 2 days course ,,its now down to a full day .
where you are advised how to put fun into rugby for kids under 12 years old { people forget sometimes its all about the kids , not the side line brigade who like to see johhny score a try at all costs }
so your tackle / ruck area would be a big part of .
what coaches need to teach & how best ref same .
irfu land i believe the mini regs push for no more that 3 from each side for a ruck & maul scenario .
to answer your question best i can .
off feet is really only focused at , where a tackle has happened { the tackler player on floor cant go for ball }
then there is the potential jackler { a team mate of the person who made the tackle }
when this person comes through gate { give a bit of discretion to the size of the gate at this age group }
when / if they lean over to pick up ball , they cant knee on floor & pick up ball / or support them selves with hand on the floor .if they do advise them to leave ball alone {{ but let them take a few also & if you have to , call in both sides & give a quick example of what they can & cant do }}
remember the ref at this age group is also a coach for both sides
a ruck by the way has not yet commenced .
if this same player falls on top of ball , to keep it safe
blow up & offer scrum to opposition .even he manages to get ball back to his team { in adult rugby this would be a penalty }
{ the safety of scrums is dealt with in mini course & ref affiliate course also }
as for counter rucking , if ball is on floor & 1 person from each team have bound together with ball on floor , let them push against each other .they will have great fun
once 3 people from each side rucking / counter rucking ,,simply usher any further potential team mates away from ruck area .
the ball is usually quicky ready at 1 side ,,ask team in possession to use same .
same with a maul , irfu regs allow i think 3 steps push only {{ stops the big guys marching the little guys full length of pitch }
simply tell lads to stop pushing & use the ball .
if its not fun ,,its not rugby .
i always enjoy reading questions from people like your self & hope you enjoy your time coaching kids .
more importantly i hope the kids parents appreciate your efforts .
mini rugby is all about fun ,,some times its ok to throw the rule book out of the window .
but keep it safe
