In the Fall of 2006, USA Rugby approved and released an updated set of rules for the conduct of youth rugby in the USA. The Rules for both youth contact and non-contact rugby are found online at: www.usarugby.org in the Youth & High School section under "Rules & Regulations".

The Midi Rules (www.usarugby.org/media/EDocs/MidiRugby.doc) will replace The Laws of the Game of Rugby Union - EPRU Variations for Under-15 Midi-Contact Rugby used in the EPRU during the inaugural U15 Tackle Rugby season in the Spring of 2006. In fact, the USA Rugby Youth Committee utilized the EPRU Rules in preparation of this National standard.

The EPRU Guidelines and Regulations for Under-15 Midi-Contact Rugby are still applicable and are for use by players, coaches, match officials and spectators. A copy of this document can be opened or downloaded from the U15 forms page.

The Rules for youth contact rugby, now called the Development Path is, strictly speaking, new to the USA, though many of you have been using very similar rules in the past. The new Rules represent a consistent national standard to which you can now migrate. It is strongly based on the very successful (England) RFU Age Grade Continuum, and we much appreciate the extensive help and support that we have had from members of the RFU as we have put the Development Path together.

The Rules for youth non-contact rugby, now called the Non-contact Alternative, have been expanded to define more explicitly some appropriate stages for different ages and experience levels. There are also some changes from last year's non-contact Rules/Guidelines as a result of this year's amendment cycle.

Youth Rules Committee
The USA Rugby Youth Rules Committee has four members. Currently Dick Podmore is chair, and Harry Laws, Pat Walsh and Joe Zevin are members. To ensure coordination and consistency the Committee refers all of its ongoing work to a group that brings expertise from several other areas within USA Rugby, most notably the Game Development Department and Laws Committee. The oversight group consists of Andy Dixon, Rick Humm, Mike Sagehorn, Peter Steinberg, Peter Watson, and Katie Wurst.

Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the Youth Rules Committee are:
To prepare Rules of Play, for recommendation to USA Rugby, for the conduct of youth and high school rugby within the USA;
To prepare and consider, on an annual basis, for recommendation to USA Rugby, proposals for amendments to the rules;
To answer questions from the youth and high school rugby communities about the rules;
To keep the youth and high school rugby communities well informed on matters that relate to those rules.

Questions and Comments
If you have questions or comments about the application of Law or the Rules of the youth and high school game in the USA please contact the Youth Rules Committee at youthrulescom@usarugby.org.

top