BEACH RUGBY AUSTRALIA – TOURNAMENT RULES
1. The playing area will have the following measurements:
- Length – 31 metres plus the in-goal (2 metres each);
- Breadth – 25 metres.
2. Teams are made up of 5 in-field players and 7 substitute players. Unlimited replacements are admitted and interchangeable at times during the match without any need to call for the Referee’s permission, although only during a standstill.
In this event, players may enter the field a single time approx. 1 metre from the enclosure, although they may exit from whatever position. As soon as the Referee becomes aware that a team has more than 5 players on the field, he/she may disallow any action that has taken place in the meantime, unless the opponent team have gained an advantage.
- Example 1: a try is scored and the defending team has 6 players on the field = the score stands.
- Example 2: a try is scored and the attacking team has 6 players on the field = the try is disallowed).
3. Only the recognised Captain may approach the Referee to ask for explanations or flag serious infringements, such as the opponents having 6 players on the field.
4. A try is worth one point and there are no goal conversions after a try.
5. The ball used in this game shall be a no. 4 type.
6. Kicking the ball is not allowed.
7. Line-out and scrum are eliminated, and play is reassumed by a free kick.
8. Tackles:
8.1. A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents.
8.2. When a player tackles an opponent and they both go to ground:
(a) the tackler:
- must immediately release the tackled player;
- must immediately get up or move away from the tackled player and the ball;
- must get up before playing the ball.
(b) the tackled player:
- must immediately pass the ball;
- must immediately get up or move away from the ball;
- must get up before playing the ball.
Sanction: Free kick
8.3. When a player tackles an opponent and they both remain on their feet (the referee may call ‘tackle’):
(a) The attacker: must pass, or discard, the ball within two seconds indicated by the referee;
Sanction: Free kick
(b) The tackler: can attempt to stop the attacker releasing the ball;
(c) Other players: can join the tackle legally to assist the tackler.
Sanction: Free kick
8.4. The tackled player must pass, including handing off, the ball within two seconds. The referee may indicate these two seconds.
Sanction: Free kick
8.5. Players in opposition to a tackled player must immediately retire to behind the ball and if they are in front of the ball, they must not attempt to play the ball or obstruct opponents.
Sanction: Free kick
9. After scoring a try, the ball is free-kicked from the middle of the field by the team whom the try was scored against, quickly if the ball has been brought to the in-goal without any forward passes;
otherwise, they will have to wait until the opponents have taken their positions.
10. 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-metre penalty to the player.
11. If 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.
12. A match consists of two halves of 5 minutes each with a 3-minute interval.
13. When an attacking player carries the ball into the in-goal or over the goal line, that player has three seconds to score a try.
Penalty: A free kick is awarded to the opposing team 5 metres from the goal line.
14. When an attacking player scores a try that player must leave the ball at the place where the try has been scored.
Penalty: A free kick from the centre of the half-way line is awarded to the opposing team and the offending player will be cautioned and temporarily suspended.
15. Point Scoring:
- Win 3 points
- Draw 2 points
- Loss 1 point
16. To download the Rules, please click: HERE
