Guidelines and the laws

USA Rugby 2015 FOCUS AREAS (on Vimeo) for ALL REFS

Game Management Guidelines – 2015 (USAR)

The Laws of the Game (World Rugby)

Protective Equipment and Clothing Guidelines – 2015 (USA Rugby)

Spirit of the Laws and the Sidelines

[Important!!!]

From: Richard Every HPRM [mailto:revery@usarugby.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2014 9:51 AM

All

We need to take a step forward, as we grow the game in the USA, to ensure that we stand together and work together and are respectful to each other.

The Law book states:
“Rugby owes much of its appeal to the fact that it is played both to the letter and within the Spirit of the Laws. The responsibility for ensuring that this happens lies not with one individual – it involves coaches, captains, players and referees.

It is through discipline, control and mutual respect that the Spirit of the Game flourishes and, in the context of a Game as physically challenging as Rugby, these are the qualities which forge the fellowship and sense of fair play so essential to the Game’s ongoing success and survival.”

We are all passionate about the game and at times we are emotional, but we have a responsibility to the game and each other to be respectful and control our behavior.

Regarding verbally abusive behavior from coaches, team staff or team substitutes towards the match officials and/or to their players or opposition players, USA Rugby Referees will, with immediate effect, be applying the following:
The referee will ask the identified person to refrain from this behavior ONCE,
On the second occasion the referee will EJECT the person from the grounds;
Zero tolerance approach will be applied.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Referee Department.

NOTE: Team coaches have an avenue to communicate with USA Rugby Referees Department, confidentially, by completing this form: http://form.jotformpro.com/form/42454379852969

AGM Minutes

RSV 2014 AGM Minutes Final.docx

2014 Law Changes

[Source: Harry Laws <harryflaws@gmail.com>; Sun, Jul 13, 2014 12:21:00 AM]

There are seemingly a large number of changes that came out of the Council Meeting in May, but in reality the vast majority is either a revision for clarity or changing last fall’s Global Trial Laws to permanent status.  There are a few substantive changes – they are highlighted.  The Laws as posted on www.irblaws.com include all these changes and I urge referees and coaches to actually read them.

Law 3 – Number of Players

• The IRB has gone to eight substitutes for International teams.  USA has been at eight for a while.
• The use of up to five substitutes in 7s was accepted into full Law.
• All sections concerning front row number, replacements, etc. are now gathered into one section (3.5).
• The definition of a “blood injury” requiring temporary replacement has changed.  The old wording was “open or bleeding wound”.  The new wording is “uncontrolled active bleeding”.  The codifies what has been practiced by many – allowing minor blood repairs to be done on the pitch, if that is possible within the injury minute.  SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE.
• Temporary replacement for pitch side concussion assessment continues to be trialed in competitions selected by the IRB.  THIS IS NOT TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT ANY LEVEL IN THE USA AT THIS TIME.

Law 4 – Players’ Clothing

• Tights have been confirmed as legal for female players.
• The Trial rescinding the ban on single studs at the toe of boots has demonstrated that they are no more dangerous than other patterns and therefore single studs are no longer banned.  SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE.
• The wearing of a GPS is still at the Global Trial stage (and has not been authorized in the US).

Law 6 – Match Officials

• Persons entering and leaving the playing area has been re-written for clarity.  Water carriers are only allowed onto the pitch during injury stoppages.  This is labeled as a substantive change, but really it is just recognition of existing practice.
• Expanded use of the TMO is still at the Global Trial stage.

Law 8 – Advantage

• The section addressing more than one infringement has been re-written for clarity.

Law 9 – Method of Scoring

• There is now a specific statement that conversion kicks must be taken from the field-of-play.  [This was always true – you just had to dig around to prove it.]
• The use of kicking tees was clarified and the “placer” was explained.
• The time for a conversion kick (90 seconds from the time of the try) was confirmed as Law.

Law 11 – Offside

• This change finally fixes an editing error that snuck in during the re-write in 2000.  When a player is offside in general play, the non-offending team has the option of a scrum where the ball was last played.  This was hidden in 11.4 for the past fourteen years.  Now it is right up front.
• When a player is offside under the ten meter Law, while retiring they may not obstruct an opponent (current) or interfere with play (new addition).

Law 12 – Knock-on or Throw-forward

• The options available for a knock that goes into touch have been confirmed.  A team that takes a quick throw-in has exercised its option.

Law 13 – Kick-off and Restart Kicks

• Added a provision to cover the case where a kick-off goes into the kicking team’s in-goal.

Law 16 – Ruck

• The five seconds to play the ball once it is available was confirmed.

Law 17 – Maul

• When a maul goes to ground (without infringement) it is either unplayable (turnover) or the ball is available.  If the ball is available, there are five seconds in which to play it.  SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE.

Law 19 – Touch and Lineout

• Where a quick throw-in may be taken was confirmed.
• The requirements for a quick throw-in were rewritten for clarity.
• If a quick throw is taken in front of the line-of-touch options are offered.  SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE.
• Scrum or lineout option from a knock-on into touch was confirmed.
• Where the receiver must stand was clarified.
• “Sacking” the catcher was clarified as must happen prior to the formation of a maul-at-lineout.

Law 20 – Scrum

• Front rows may not pull their opponents.
• Current engagement process (crouch, bind, set) is still considered a Trial.

Law 21 – Penalty and Free Kicks

• Quickly taken PK and FK that are taken at the wrong place will be taken again.  SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE that in reality recognizes and codifies current practice.  NOTE:  This does not relieve the kicker from having to kick the ball properly.
• If a team is awarded a PK or a FK at a lineout, they may choose to have another lineout (or a scrum) in lieu of the kick.  This confirms the Global Trial from last fall.
• If a team chooses a lineout in lieu of a Free Kick, they cannot score a drop goal until after an opponent has played or touched the ball, or tackled the ball carrier.  Confirms Global Trial.

Policy Reminders (Youth/HS)

From: Kurt Weaver <kweaver@usarugby.org>
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 5:36 PM

All,

We have had some questions about policies lately and I wanted to reiterate a few items for your use locally. I would also ask that you share these with your referees to help enforce these policies, in addition to your local rules.

1. 8th graders, regardless of age, should not be playing HS rugby. This is for their safety and is the policy for both boys and girls. This is not to keep them from playing in a U15 or U16 league, but they should not be playing with Juniors and Seniors in HS.

2. Freshmen who are younger than 15 (14) need to sign a waiver to play HS rugby. The waiver is at usarugby.org/eligibility.

3. Anyone graduated from HS should not be playing HS rugby, specially if they are already in college! I didn’t think we needed to remind folks about this one, but if pops up now and again. We are no longer a U19 country, we are ‘High School’ rugby.

4. High School teams are not permitted to play against college or adult teams. This includes scrimmages and games for 7s and 15s

5. High School players are not permitted to play on college or adult rugby teams. This includes scrimmages and games for 7s and 15s.

6. Every team needs to have their team fee paid to USA Rugby (or the state pays the $3,000), a certified coach (at least L100) and the minimum amount of players registered to be considered compliant, and for their insurance to be in tact. For 15s, that would be 15 kids, 7s would be 7 kids, etc.

I understand the feedback around some policies, but these are what is currently in place. They in set for player welfare considerations, child development issues and best practice. Please shoot questions to me by phone or email.

Thank you for your continued work!

Kurt
—
Kurt Weaver | Director, Youth & High School Rugby | USA Rugby

Tackler Assist

From: Richard Every HPRM <revery@usarugby.org>

There is a definite issue with Tackler Assist, where there is no clear release before playing the ball.

Both players and referees appear to struggle with its application and interpretation.

If a defender is on their feet and in contact with the ball carrier as the ball carrier goes to ground there has to be a clear release before they can play the ball through the gate.

We are instructing referees to increase their awareness in this area and work to be more effective and consistent. Here is a video to review and identify expectations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvy32bgICzI

Richard Every | High Performance Referee Manager | USA Rugby
e: revery@usarugby.org t: 773 895 6013
2500 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite 200 | Boulder CO 80302

Scrum Engagement Protocol Changes

The (USA) Rugby Committee has just voted (in a rare show of unanimity) to adopt the silent version of ‘yes, nine’ for all levels of adult rugby.

This is meant to take effect immediately – games played March 1 and after.

A silent acknowledgement to the scrumhalf that the scrum is stable and the ball may be put in. This can be done by touching the scrumhalf or by a signal. The front-row briefing should include agreeing with the scrumhalves in what way the touching will be accomplished and what the signal will be.
Typically, the touch is either in the middle of the back (between the shoulder blades) or on the shoulder. The signal can be a thumbs-up, a nod, a play-on gesture, but needs to be demonstrated to the scrumhalves before the game.

The verbal ‘yes, nine’ will remain in effect for U19/high school and younger.

This decision was reached after input was received from all levels of the game in the USA as to what that community would prefer.

[Received from Bruce Carter (NorCal); order and information were slightly edited from his original.]