Elements of the Rugby Continuum

The Rugby Continuum, which ensures that every youngster gradually acquires skills required for the full 15-a-side game by the age of under 13, aims to improve individual performance through purposeful and enjoyable activity, with a limited number of competitive fixtures and festivals played to test skills acquired.

Stage 1 Under 7s/8s
The aim of this stage is to safely introduce and support the modern game by getting players and coaches to develop the running and handling skills needed to exploit space, time, risk, and support play.

Stage 2 Under 9s/10s
The aim of this stage is to introduce safely and progressively, as shown in the current RFU coaching course materials, contact skills, including tackling and scrummaging.

Mini contact rugby will continue to be played by U9s/U10s with the same set of rules for tackling, rucks and mauls. To help players develop, U9s will have 3-man uncontested scrums and 2-man uncontested line-outs and U10s will progress to 3-man contested scrums and 2-man contested line-outs.

Stage 3 Under 11s/12s
The aim of this stage is to provide the opportunity for players to continue to safely develop all the skills needed for the full 15-a-side game.

Midi contact rugby will be played by U11s/U12s to the same set of rules. They will both have 5-man contested scrums and 4-man contested line-outs. Previously the only difference between U11/U12 rules was that a quick throw could be taken at the lineout by U12s.

Coaching
Clubs must endeavour to ensure that qualified coaches supervise all persons, who are not accredited or qualified to coach. New and simpler coach education courses and resources will be made available, including one tailored to support the introduction of mini tag. Those attending this simple 1/2 day course will receive a certificate of attendance. There will also be a new mini contact course for Stage 2 coaches (U9/10s), and a generic Level 1 course for Stage 3 coaches (U11/12s). Free resources will be provided for all coaches attending the new courses.

The month of September will remain solely for coach education courses and for the coaching of players from under 7 to under 12 years of age, with no matches or festivals permitted.