U11 kick off/ knock on.

GeoffCoach, England

Please ensure that you are referencing the up to date version of the rules of play from the RFU website, search for RFU New rules of play. I can not see the knock on from a restart that you are questioning in the U11s rules of play. However a knock on when attempting to catch a ball that has been punted down field is a scrum to the team that knocked on. This rule is in use to encourage the children to attempt the catch instead of letting the ball go to ground.

R NunnCoach, England

Hi Geoff. Yup, I am looking at the new rules of play. 9 d) says "Other than from a restart, a free kick or a charge down, if from a kick the ball is played in flight by a player of the non-kicking team and knocked forward, a scrum will be awarded to the non kicking team from where the ball is touched". So agree with your point above re the kick and the catching team getting the put in. Having talked to other coaches, we interpret their words "other than from restart, free kick (one that often gets missed, my words) or charge down" as meaning that in these instances there is no scrum or sanction and play carries on. The aim, as you say being to encourage people to attempt to catch the ball and not having a stoppage right at the start of the game. Hope you agree.

Jon HumphreysCoach, England

I agree with the idea of encouraging the lads to catch the ball and giving the put in to the side that knocked on but this is very confusing for the spectators which can lead to some unnecessary comments.

Will BassettCoach, England

Hi. My understanding is that from a restart/free kick, normal knock on rules apply. Whereas a knock-on from a kick from open play gives the defending team the scrum. I believe this is to encourage the team in possession to think about when to kick and to try and kick to space rather than directly to the opposition

Gerwyn BryanCoach, England

Will, that`s also my understanding.