J6 Laws

Laws

Field:

40 metres wide goal line to the 10m line (the sidelines become the try lines)

Time:

25-minute halves, 5 minutes half time

Ball:

Size 3

Players:

10 per side (5 forwards/5 backs)

Weight:

Refer Junior Grades Chart

Subs:

All players must play half a game which may consist of one half or two quarters i.e. Substitutions may be made at quarter-time, half-time or three-quarter-time. No rolling substitutions are permitted.

Tackle:

All tackles must be below the nipple line.

Scrums:

5 players, no contesting or pushing. Opposition backlines back 5m, halfback must start and stay at the tunnel of scrum until the ball has been cleared from the lock’s feet. Locks cannot pick and go.

Lineouts:

Uncontested. 2.5m in from touch. 5 players - No contesting or lifting, lines from 1m apart, backlines back 5m, no player to cross the line of touch (LOT) until ball in halfbacks’ hands. No short lineouts.

Kick-Offs:

Tap & Pass to be rotated through all players. Opposition 5m back.

Penalties:

Tap and pass. Opposition 5m back.

Referees:

Associate referee, if not - no game.

Conversions:

No conversions

Fending:

No fending in J6

Red Socks:

Must wear red socks and cannot lead rushes from free kicks, penalties or from the back of scrums (this includes a tap kick and then pass to a Harbour Red Sock player).

“Everyone Enjoying Rugby”
North Harbour Rugby

J6 Eligibility

Advice & Guidance

J6 is the first year of tackle and contact even though there isn't much actual tackling happening to start with this change is the biggest thing for the players after playing J7 Rippa.

The Tackle

There is a lot of lenience when controlling this level but we want to ensure we focus on managing appropriate tackling techniques. Priority is a strictness around the height of the tackle. Keep in mind that this is all new so blow the whistle but take some time to talk and confirm the requirements/rules with the player. Help them learn.

It is not illegal to grab jerseys and this will happen a lot but watch out for the 'grab and swing' approach. Give warnings as most of the time it will just happen but if it looks like a deliberate tactic of a player it's time to warn that the next time will be a penalty.

Watch for other dangerous actions such as tripping. Again blow it up, warn and restart the game.

At this grade, we really want to instil good tackling practices.

Scrums & Lineouts

In J6 the scrums and lineouts are uncontested and are just used to restart play and are an introduction to the game of rugby they see on TV. Ensure the players let the ball get to the halfback so the game can get going again. The main thing to watch is that the defenders are 5 meters back and stay there until the ball is in the half-backs hands. Help the defenders out by shouting out when they can move up.

Another approach is that the defenders can not move forward until the half-back passes the ball. This allows more players to be involved and move time to get the ball cleanly away and the game started again. If you do this approach the half back is not allowed to run.

If you like this approach you will need to talk very early on to the opposition and remember, if they don't like it you can't enforce it as it is not an offical rule.