The Under 12s Game

The RFU is the governing body for Rugby in England. All our coaches are trained by the RFU and play the Age Grade Rugby scheme. As children get older the rules of the game slowly progress to introduce more skills in a safe and consistent manner across England.

Although the Dragons play games against other teams, these are friendly games and scores (or tries) are not recorded. The focus is on all children participating and having fun, followed by a hot dog after the game with the opposing team.

Under 12 Rules Overview

• Team numbers: A maximum of 12 a-side
• Maximum pitch size: 60 metres x 43 metres
• Maximum minutes each half: 20
• Continuation of the contested strike
• Nearest 5 players in a scrum
• No limit on numbers contesting for the ball including in the maul and ruck
• Introduction of the hand off below the armpits

Official U12 Rules

Rugby Game for Under 12s

The object of the game is to score a try by placing the ball with a downward pressure on or behind the opponents’ goal line.

U12 rugby focuses on developing the foundation skills of attack and defense. Players practice skills such as evasion, catching, passing, tackling, offloading, and rucking.

Training Sessions

Training Sessions last 75-90 minutes and are structured into 3 segments

1 - Activate Warm-up (20 minutes)

2 - Skills Zone (40 minutes)

3 - Practice Game (30 minutes)

The Skills Zone is a focused activity in small groups or individually to develop a particular element or skill. We are also helping the children explore, discover and solve problems, build confidence in decision making and enhance game awareness.

During the Practice Game, the coaches will actively coach team skills during the first 15 minutes.

During the last 15 minutes, we let the children play the game and have fun!

Child Development

The Game of Rugby will help your child develop in four areas:

1) Personal and Social

Work effectievly with others as part of a team

2) Physical and Movement

Adopt a strong body position & Sustain

3) Game Understanding

Understand and follow the rules
Solves problems using the Principles of Play

4) Skill Focus

Catching

Scrum

For more information, please download the RFU's Kids First Rugby Stage 2 Under 12s Learning sheet