Rules for Flag Rugby
Henry St. High School
1.
Both opposing teams must be wearing two flags attached to a strap around each person’s waist.
Each flag must be located on the side of a person’s hip, and accessible to an opponent.
2. To start the game, a rugby ball is placed on the centre line of the field, the centre player standing just
behind the ball on his/her half. The team without the ball must line up 5m back from the line.
3. Referee blows the whistle, the centre player picks up the ball. The defensive team is not allowed to
rush the offensive team until the player with the ball passes to another ball.
4. In order for a pass to be ‘legal’, the ball must go backward (not sideways or forward). The way the ball
is thrown doesn’t matter (overhand, underhand).
5. If, at any time during the pass, the ball is knocked forward, it’s called a knock on, and the ball changes
possession. That is to say, the other team simply picks up the ball and runs the other way. If the ball,
when passed, is dropped or missed, it’s still a legal pass as long as the ball travels backwards.
6. After a player has ripped off the flag of an opposing ball carrier, the ball carrier has three steps or
three seconds to get rid of the ball. All the other offensive players have to retreat to behind the ball,
or be called for offside.
7. There are 5-10 players per side, agreed on before the game starts.
8. There is no tackling or body contact. There is no kicking of the ball allowed.
9. Two flags are worn by every player, attached to Velcro strips on a belt. To ‘flag’ a ball carrier, the
defender removes the flag, shouts ‘flag’, and holds the flag up until the flagee retrieves his or her flag.
Offensive team gets seven flags to get a try, otherwise possession switches sides. (Might depend on
teacher)
10. In order to score a try, a player must cross the endline with the ball and PLACE the ball down in the
end zone worth pressure. Each try is worth 5 points.