Summary of the Sport:
Rule: |
Description: |
Number of Players |
5 players per team on the field at any point of time. |
Object of the Game |
The object of the game is to carry the ball and place the ball down on the opponents touch line (called a Try). |
Time Limit |
Two 5-minute halves with a 1-minute halftime. |
The Ball |
A prolate spheroid shaped football. The accepted international size is called the "size 5" and is approximately 27 cm long and 60 cm in circumference at its widest point and weighs around 1lb. |
Number of Referees |
2 referees plus booth review |
Protective Gear |
Players are only allowed modest padding on Head, Shoulders, Collarbone etc. Only a mouthguard is required. |
Advancing the Ball |
Running with the ball, and passing the ball backwards/laterally. Kicking the ball is not allowed. |
Contact? |
The tackler has to attempt to wrap their arms around the player being tackled to complete the tackle. A tackle is deemed to be complete when the player in possession is held on the ground. |
Scoring Methods |
Try (2) Safety (1) |
Beach Rugby Pitch Dimensions:
- Overall Dimensions = 31m x 25m (101'8" x 82').
- Playing area = 25m x 25m (82' x 82').
- In-goal area = 3m each (10').
- Length = 275 - 285mm.
- Circumference = 720-752mm.
- 28-30 cm / 11-12 in long.
- 58-62 cm / 23-24 in circumference at its widest point.
- It weighs 410-460 g / 14-16 oz.
- All games will played as 2 5-minute halves with a 1-minute halftime.
- The game is then restarted by the attacking team tapping the ball off their knee, off their foot or off the ground before giving a pass.
- In case a match ends in a draw, an additional limitless period will be played under the sudden-death rule (i.e. the first scoring team is the winner).
- Line-out and scrummage are eliminated and play resumes with a free kick.
- The team in possession are allowed up to 4 tackles before the ball is turned over.
- In the occurrence of a turnover in possession or a knock on, the defending team must drop back 3 meters (10') and the attacking team must restart play by tapping the ball off their knee, off their foot or off the ground before giving a pass.
- If the defending team attempts an interception and the ball goes to ground, the attacking team regains possession and gain a new set of 3 touches or tackles.
- A deliberate knock-on when intercepting will result in a penalty being given. The attacking side will receive a free pass. If extremely cynical; then a yellow card may be given.
- There is no kicking other than at the restart.
- The distance from the ball for penalty kicks or kick-off shall be 5 meters; If this distance is not observed, the referee will ascribe a further 5-meter penalty to the player.
- 5-a-side; 8-12 players on the roster (3-7 reserves).
- All substitutions are done "on-the-fly," similar to ice hockey; If a team wants to make a rolling substitution, they must inform one of the 2 referees.
- All of the substitutes will be situated under the posts at either end of the pitch.
- All of the players shall wear tear-resistant jerseys and not t-shirts with the players numbers or names on the back; the jerseys will be assessed at the beginning of the Championship by a Technical Commission formed by the Championship Manager and/or L.I.B.R. representative and a referee. The homologation process will be repeated for each Championship even though the jerseys have been previously deemed appropriate.
- Similar to other forms of rugby, both teams must wear their dark color uniforms during games unless either 1) the teams share similar colors or 2) if someone is colorblind; If that is the case, the designated home team will wear their dark color uniforms and the away team will wear either 1) their lighter color uniforms or 2) an alternative darker color uniform.
- A Try is worth 2 points and there are no goals after a try.
- A Safety (tackling the ball carrier inside of his own in-goal area) is worth 1 point.
- When an attacking player carries the ball into the in-goal area or over the goal line that player has 3 seconds to score a try; A free kick is awarded to the defending team 5 meters from the goal line if they fail to do so.
- A try is scored when a player touches the ball down securely on the inflatable boundary on the attacking end of the pitch.
- A try should still be given if the player is touched in the motion of scoring – subject to the discretion of the referee.
- When an attacking player scores a try that player must leave the ball at the place where the try has been scored; A free kick from the center of the half-way line is awarded to the opposing team and the offending player will be cautioned and temporarily suspended.
- After scoring a try, the ball must be free-kicked from the middle of the field by the team conceding the try; This can be done quickly but only if the ball has been brought from the In-Goal area without any forward passes; otherwise, they will have to wait until the opposing team have re-taken their positions.
- A yellow card means a player has to spend 2 minutes off the pitch and their team will play with just 4 players.
- A player receiving a red card (very unlikely) will remain off the pitch for the rest of the game.
- Only the recognized captain may report to the referee to ask for explanations or flag serious infringements such as the opponents having 6 players on the field.