American Flag Rugby
Encyclopedia
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| Originated | 1998, Denville, New Jersey New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware... , USA |
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American flag rugby (AFR) is a mixed-gender, non-contact imitation of rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
designed for American children entering grades K–9. The organization itself exists to provide free start up kits and support to any community looking to add a youth rugby program to their community. The program has received great praise in the USA including an article in Rugby magazine and a spot on Fox Sports Net. The initial program from Morris County has helped create various other programs start up and now encompasses thousands of kids and adults across America participating in the youth sport and starting up programs.
Overview
American flag rugby is divided up among four different levels based upon the grade level a child is entering. The four levels are:- Owls (K–1st grades)
- Falcons (2nd–3rd grades)
- Hawks (4th–6th grades)
- Eagles (7th–9th grades)
Each division itself has a unique set of rules in recognition that there will be different ability levels between the various age groups. The game, while based on rugby union, is actually far more related to rugby sevens
Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
. Similarities are seen with the number of players on the field and the arrangement of the line-outs, scrums, and kick-offs. Like rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, games are played in halves but the halves are significantly reduced. The halves are the same for all four levels at 10 minutes each instead of 40 minutes each.
The rule differences between each division are minor and gradually shift closer towards rugby union rules as the child advances up in divisions and increases his or her skill set. For Owls the game typically revolves around teaching the chlidren to run with the ball, learning to touch the ball down when scoring a try, and learning basic passing skills. Nothing is contested, there is no kicking, and there are no conversions. However when children reach the Eagle level many of the prior mentioned restrictions are removed and the children play with contest, are allowed open field kicking, and the game has a more dynamic flow to it.
Field size
- Owls: Fields are 20 meters by 30 meters. This is around 1/4 the size of a normal rugby union field. There are no goal posts as there are no conversions or open field kicking.
- Falcons: Fields are 25 meters by 50 meters. This is around 1/3 the size of a normal rugby union field. Goal posts can now be included but are not required.
- Hawks/Eagles: Fields are 40 meters by 60 meters. This is around 1/2 the size of a normal rugby union field. Field width is significantly increased as children should have developed enough skill sets to include more open field kicking and passing.