Ivybridge RFC

The 2012-13 season will see dramatic changes in the game for the U7s to U9s, with proposed changes for the U10s probably coming into force the following season 2013-14.

The New Rules of Play for Under 7, 8 and 9 have been trialed in three participating Counties – Durham, Hampshire and Warwickshire for the past two years.

The long term objective of the trial:

Provide a progressive player pathway that will enhance the way in which our players are developed in a more incremental manner
Provide a game which is in line with the principles of Child Development based on extensive research and expertise
Increase involvement of all players
Emphasis on competitive performance not competitive outcome
Encourage less structure (encourage skills and discourage fear of failure)
Make the game easier to understand and referee
Less emphasis on contact and more on continuity in early years
Rewarding intention to tackle in early years as much as ability to tackle

The trial is based on the recommendations from research, commissioned by the RFU in 2007, by Exeter University. The research had a brief to examine the Age Grade Regulations and make recommendations on changes that should be made to the mini and youth game, with the express aim being to develop an improvement in young players’ skills and higher levels of retention into the adult game.

A synopsis of the research findings is as follows:

For children under the age of 12, there should be limited focus on structure and drills
Children learn best by doing and acquire most of their skills by playing small sided games with limited rules and regulations
Important building blocks (learning) of decision-making and skills can be optimally developed from the age of 7 onwards, and have a lasting effect throughout a player’s future
Reducing numbers is a way to increase involvement and provide more opportunities for each individual to be involved in decision-making scenarios
Children do not need the sort of structures, rules and rituals associated with adult games. Younger children should have limited structure imposed upon them and learn skills within these constraints
Profound inequalities in body size during 7-18 years of age mean that a game heavily focused on contact and set-pieces encourages a “bigger is better” mentality from a very young age, rather than skilled play and decision-making
More structure needs to be added as children develop into adult forms of the game
Contact skills are a vital and characteristic feature of Rugby Union and the acquisition and practice of these skills is essential
In order to provide emphasis on ball handling, evasion & support at younger ages, contact will need to be de-emphasized. It is not suggested that contact should be eliminated, but that children should be looking for spaces and not contact

The trial will run for one more year with a focus on the Under 10 rules (one year completed) and Under 11 rules.

More information can be found at the following link - http://www.rfu.com/ManagingRugby/ShapingTheGame.aspx
Below this article are the PDF files you may download for your information.