Rippa Rugby is a game for young rugby players. It is a very safe, non-contact, easy-to-play game for both boys and girls alike. Best of all it’s fun and exciting for all involved. While the rules are simple and the game easy to learn, Rippa Rugby will promote excellent ball-handling and running skills, and give all kids a chance to participate in our national game. The New Zealand Rugby Union is proud to recommend Rippa Rugby and we are sure it will give the kids in your team a fun, safe and enjoyable sporting experience.
Objective Of The Game
The object of the game is to score a try by grounding the ball behind or
on the opponents’ try line. A try is worth five points. To prevent a
try being scored the defenders must rip the flag from the belt of the
ball carrier. This forces the ball carrier to pass the ball. Six rips
against the attacking team in one set of possession results in the ball
being turned over to the defending team.
How To Play
Dimensions Of Field
The field of play is up to 70 metres in length and up to 40 metres wide.
Rippa Rugby can be played in pretty much any open space; however we
recommend half a rugby field from the halfway line to the goal line
(they form the side lines) of a full rugby field. The field size can be
adjusted to cater to the number of players or their age (for example
goal line to 10 metre line).
Where possible the field should be marked with cones or markers so that
the players can easily tell the size of the playing field. The
‘try-scoring area’ (in-goal area), should be five metres deep from the
try line and clearly marked if possible with cones.
Duration Of Play
A game is made up of two halves. It is recommended that each half lasts for 20 minutes, with a two-minute interval at halftime.
Number Of Players
Rippa Rugby is played between teams of equal numbers of players. It is
ideal to have no more than 7, and not less than five players but this
number can be varied to suit the field size, team size or number of
players available.
Substitutes
Each side should agree on the number of substitutes. Substitutes can be
used at any time but they can only be made when the ball is ‘out of
play’ or at halftime. The referee must be told of these substitutions.
Coaches/Referees
During the match, coaches of both teams can referee or direct the game
from on the field, behind their respective teams. (Perhaps half a game
each for refereeing can be an option).
If there is only one coach/teacher, the game can be easily played with one referee.
The Rippa Belt
The belt is adjusted to fit the waist of the player and the two flags
hang from both sides. Velcro attaches the flags so they are positioned
one on each hip. Care needs to be taken to ensure that for safety the
tail of the belt is tucked away. Each team is distinguished by the
colour of the flags they wear. The belt must be worn outside the
clothing, shirts tucked in and flags free so they can be ripped off.
Attackers
On attack, the ball carrier should run forward and the other players
should run in support ready to receive a pass. The ball carrier can
evade opposition but should pass to teammates in a better position if
there is no space to run into. The ball carrier cannot fend defenders
off using their hands, or the ball, and cannot guard or shield their
flags in any way.
Defenders (Rippers)
Players should run forward so they can reduce the space between them and
the attacker, and move into a position where they can rip the flag from
the ball carrier. There is no contact in Rippa Rugby; ripping the flag
off the belt of the ball carrier makes a tackle. Defenders (Rippers)
cannot physically touch the ball carrier.
Rules Of The Game
Starting Play
One team start or restarts the match from the centre of the field with a
free pass. When a try is scored, the non-scoring team starts at the
centre of the field with a free pass.
Free Pass
To make a free pass, the player taking the pass starts with the ball on
the ground, moves the ball slightly forward using the side of their
foot, picks up the ball and makes an accurate pass.
The opposition team must remain 5 metres back from the free pass. They
cannot start moving forward until the ball leaves the hands of the
player taking the free pass. A free pass is also used to restart play on
any turnover of possession, or at any other time that play has halted
and needs to be restarted.
If the ball is carried out of the field of play, the game is restarted
with a free pass to the non-offending side. Free passes cannot take
place less than 5 metres from the try line. The free pass is taken from
the point where the ball went out.
A free pass is also awarded to the non-offending team when the opposition infringes the rules, such as:
A Forward pass
An offside
Not returning the flag to the ball carrier
Pushing, tackling, fending or kicking the ball
Hiding or shielding flags
Diving on the ball on the ground
Continuing to run more than 3 strides after the rip and does not pass the ball
Ripping (Tackle)
To complete a ‘rip’ one of the two flags from the ball carriers belt
must be removed. The only person who can be ripped is the ball carrier.
The ripper stops, holds the flag above their head and shouts “RIP!” The
ball carrier must then pass the ball immediately (within three strides
is a good guideline). He or she does not have to stop, return to the
mark or roll the ball between their legs.
Six rips in a row leads to a turnover in possession. After the ball
carrier has passed the ball the ripper must hand the flag back to the
player who then reattaches it to their belt before they re-join play. If
either of these players doesn’t adhere to this, they will be penalised
and a free pass awarded against them at the place of the infringement.
Knock On
When a player knocks the ball to the ground towards the opponents’ try
line, a free pass is awarded to the non-offending team unless an
advantage can be played.
Offside
Offside only occurs at the rip. When a rip is made, all players from the
ripper’s team must get back until they are behind where the rip was
made. Failure to do so results in possession changing to the opposition
team and the game resumes with a free pass. If a player is offside and
they intercept, prevent or slow down a pass, a free pass will be awarded
to the non-offending team.
Passing The Ball
The game has been designed to encourage passing. The ball can only be
passed in a sideways or backwards direction. There are no forward passes
and it cannot be handed to another player. A free pass to the
opposition will be the result of either occurring. If the ball is passed
sideways or backwards landing on the ground and bounces forward, this
is not a knock on or forward pass. Either team may re-gather the ball
remaining on their feet to continue play.
Kicking
There is no kicking of any kind in Rippa Rugby.
Advantage
Not stopping the game when an infringement happens is called
‘advantage’. Referees should play ‘advantage’ to the non-offending team
if there is any chance that they may get the ball. The referee should
call ‘advantage’ followed by ‘advantage over’ if the referee deems the
team has gained a real advantage. If no advantage occurs play restarts
with a free pass.
Going To Ground
If the ball carrier goes to ground or a player dives on the ball, a free
pass is awarded to the opposition. Players can dive for a try or dive
on the ball for a try.
Refereeing The Game
Make sure you have a whistle, know the rules and try to play advantage wherever possible.
1. Shout “RIP and the rip number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)” and “PASS!” when a rip has been made.
2. Blow the whistle when and only when play is to stop.
3. Signal to the team who starts with a free pass by pointing with a horizontal outstretched arm towards that team.
When referee must blow the whistle to start, re-start and finish both halves of the game.
When a try is scored the referee blows the whistle and extends the other arm straight above the head to signal the try.
Other Points
If a player accidentally loses a flag when they have the ball, stop the
game, replace the ribbon and restart with a free pass to the team that
was last in possession where play was stopped.
If a player is ‘ripped’ before the try line and they don’t pass before
they get over the line, they restart play five metres out from the try
line with a free pass.
If a player goes to ground with the ball, except in a try-scoring
movement, play restarts with a free pass awarded to the opposition.
If the ball gets dropped during a pass but is not knocked on, play can
continue. However players must pick up the ball from a standing
position.
If the referee must stop the game for any reason other than for an
infringement of the rules by a team (for example an injured player),
play restarts with a free pass to the team last in possession at the
place where play was stopped.