Tag Rugby: Grab the Tag, Score the Try!

Imagine you are running with a ball and an opponent is chasing you. You cannot push or tackle in this game — so how do you stop someone? In tag rugby, the answer is surprisingly simple, and it changes everything about how you move and think on the pitch.

Tag rugby is a version of rugby where there is no tackling. Instead, each player wears a tag — a short strip of material attached to a special belt around the waist. To 'tackle' someone, you pull off their tag. This makes the game safe and fast for everyone. **Carrying the ball** You hold the ball in two hands, close to your chest. This keeps it safe and means you are always ready to pass. Never tuck the ball under one arm — you could drop it or get it grabbed! **Passing** In tag rugby, you can only pass the ball sideways or backwards — never forwards. Hold the ball with both hands, swing your arms towards your teammate, and release smoothly. A flat, quick pass is easiest to catch. **Running and evading** Use changes of speed and direction to dodge opponents. Side-stepping means planting one foot and quickly changing direction. If you run in a straight line the whole time, you are easy to tag! **Tagging** When you are defending, your job is to pull the tag off the ball-carrier's belt. You must grab only the tag — not the player's clothing or body. After a tag is made, the ball-carrier stops and passes the ball within three seconds. **Scoring a try** To score a try, carry the ball over the opponent's try line and touch it down on the ground with control. Your whole team works together to create space so one player can get free to cross that line.