Rules of the Game | Beach Rugby Australia - Gold Coast

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 3 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;

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