The key elements of the Under 8s Rules of Play are:
• Team numbers: a maximum of 6-a-side
• Maximum pitch size: 45 metres x 22 metres
• Ball Size: 3
• Maximum minutes each half: 10
• Scoring: Players permitted to go to ground to score tries
• No tackling
• No kicking, scrums or lineouts
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
Tacklers are aiming lower, so carriers who dip late put heads at risk. Teach footwork, a strong early body height and leg drive to win the collision safely.
The hooker's brake foot moved from trial into full law in July 2026. Here is how to coach it so your front row stays stable, legal and safe.
Your players can pass beautifully in a warm-up grid. Then a defender closes, their lungs are burning, and the ball goes to ground. Here is how to build catch-pass skills that hold up when it matters.