This is not the full official rules – which are very long and quite boring to read to through – but a short version that covers pretty much everything you need to know in order to play and enjoy the game with the MINICRU!
A non-contact sport
Tag rugby is a non-contact sport. It relies on speed, quick thinking and good teamwork. Purposeful physical contact, such as barging, fending off, tackling and pushing will result in a penalty.
Tags
All players must wear a tag belt with 2 tags attached on either side of their bodies at all times. The player is not allowed to cover these tags with their clothes, their hands or the ball. If you are not wearing 2 tags you are not allowed to play.
Scoring a try
To score a try a player must carry the ball over the opponents’ goal line and actually press the ball down onto the ground. A try is worth 1 point.
Passing
The ball must not travel forwards when being passed.
Tagging
The player carrying the ball can be stopped at any time by a defender by being tagged.
- The defender: To tag the ball carrier, grab one of their tags and pull it away from their belt. Hold the tag up and shout out “Tag!” When the ball has been passed, you must then return the tag to the player’s hand before continuing play. Dropping or throwing the tag is not allowed.
- The ball carrier: When you are tagged, you must stop and pass the ball within 3 paces or within 3 seconds. You must then take the tag from the defender and replace it on your belt. You cannot play until both tags are securely fixed to your belt. A try can only be scored after a tag if the ball carrier is 1 step or less away from putting the ball down.
The free pass
A free pass is used to start the game (from the centre of the field) or to restart it at the place where the ball went out of play or a foul took place.
The defending side must all be 7 metres back before the free pass is made.
Nobody on the attacking side (including the ball carrier) is allowed to move forward until the person making the free pass has passed the ball.
If a foul takes place over the goal line, or within 5 metres of the goal line, then the free pass takes place 5 metres out from the goal line.
Ball out of play
If the ball or ball carrier goes out of play a free pass is given to the other team from the sideline.
Knock-ons
If the ball travels forward off a player unintentionally and touches the ground, this is a knock-on and results in a free pass.
Off-side
A player is off-side when they are deliberately standing between the ball carrier and the person that they are trying to pass to in order to block the pass or intercept the ball. This will result in a free pass.
Kicking and diving
The ball is never kicked in tag rugby. Diving across the try line is not allowed.