Youth rugby is played under two distinct and separate sets of rules: touch rugby and tackle rugby.

Under-9 and U-11 play only touch rugby; this is a league requirement. A players who is ten (as of 1 July 2009) may play up to U-13 tackle, with the express permission of a parent/guardian, and the determination of the had coach that the player is ready physically and mentally to play at this level.

Touch Rugby

While not a full-contact sport, touch rugby is a contact sport. Players must contact one another to make a tag ("tackle"), players will bind in rucks and mauls, and will bind formally to form scrums. All of this will be trained fully in practices, and will be managed closely by coaches and referees during matches. The contact aspects of touch rugby are designed as stepping stones toward full-contact tackle rugby.

For U-13, U-15 and U-17, both touch and tackle are available, for both boys and girls. The decision to play touch or tackle will be made based on the experience of our team, the number of players available, and the level of training we have that prepares our teams to play tackle rugby. If the coach determines that as a whole any of our teams are not yet prepared to play tackle rugby, in terms of skills and maturity, then we will play touch; this is a safety issue.

Tackle Rugby

Tackle Rugby is for U-13, U-15 and U-17 players. Players who are ten years of age as of 1 July 2009 may play up to U-13 tackle, with the express permission of a parent/guardian.  Tackle players may play up  one age group above their own, with the express permission of a parent/guardian, and with the coaches’ determination that they have the required skills, and phyical/emotional/mental maturity to play at that level.

Youth tackle rugby is played under modified Laws of the Game (rules) to promote the control of play and safety, in consideration of players’ age, size, both physical and mental maturity, and the fact that most of them are rugby novices. Both tacklers and ball carriers will be trained extensively on safe contact, what is permitted, and what is not. For those players with football experience, there will be a period of "de-footballization," specifically with regard to the manner in which tackles are made, and what sort of football-style contact is not allowed.

Fort Hunt Rugby actively discourages the mindset of "the big hit." The tackle in rugby is designed for only one thing: to bring a ball carrier to the ground so the ball will be released, with the opportunity to gain possession. Slamming, spearing, lifting, one-arm shots, scrag/sling tackles and all contact above the line of the shoulders are strictly prohibited and will be dealt with immediately and strongly in training and in matches.

Our experience is that foul play is highly uncommon, with dangerous contact usually due to accident, or players forgetting their training or becoming carried away. We recognize this and are proactive, in training and in matches, to keep this under control.

Make no mistake, tackle rugby is a highly intense, fast-paced, full-contact sport. Controlled and focused aggression and the controlled use of physical force are integral aspects of play, and we will train in this. The Fort Hunt Rugby spirit is one in which, during the match, we will play our opponents as hard as we possibly can, without compromise and within the Laws (and expect the same), but before and after the match, we are all rugby players, and therefore mates.

For all questions about our touch and tackle programs, and for more details, please contact the FHYAA Youth Rugby Commissioner, Andrew Vonada at alvonada@hotmail.com, 703-360-1534, or head coach John Dacey at rugby007@aol.com, 703-780-5859.

Back to Fort Hunt Rugby home