Walking Rugby

Walking Rugby is a much gentler version of the physically demanding game of Rugby. It is played on half of a normal pitch, participants must be walking at all times, and there is no tackling involved, instead a touch of two hands below the armpit or above the waist is used the emphasis is on safety, teamwork, enjoyment and good sportsmanship

In some ways, it can be seen as similar in concept to Walking football or Walking netball where for whatever reason people cannot play the normal high-speed full-contact version of the game they are based on, in this case Rugby union

It is a good cardiovascular workout and can also help to improve speed, agility, and strength. Plus, it’s an opportunity to meet new people without the risk of getting tackled to the floor. If you don't want to play the outdoors version, walking sports like this can be played inside all year round

Contents

Wikipedia has related information at Walking football.

Wikipedia has related information at Walking netball.

Wikipedia has related information at Rugby union.

• Introduction
• Rules
• Guidelines

The Aim of the Game

Teams score by carrying the ball over the opponents' try line while following the rules. Unlike traditional rugby, the ball does not need to be placed on the ground to score.

Teams

Teams normally have up to seven players on the field. Unlimited rolling substitutions may be made while play is stopped and with the referee's permission. Substitutes should wear bibs.

Equipment

Players should wear matching shirts or bibs, suitable footwear, and remove or cover jewellery and watches.

Match Duration

A match normally consists of two seven-minute halves with a break of up to two minutes.

Match Officials

The referee is responsible for enforcing the rules. Only the team captain should discuss decisions with the referee.

Key Terms

Try

a score

Turnover

possession changes to the other team.

Touch

the ball or player carrying it leaves the playing area.

Scrum

an optional, uncontested method of restarting play after certain accidental offences.

Offside

being too close to play before you are allowed to rejoin it.

Try Line

The try line is the line a team must cross to score. There is one try line at each end of the playing area.

A player scores a try by carrying the ball over their opponents' try line with both feet on or beyond the line before being tackled.

Think of it as the equivalent of a goal line in football.

Halfway Line

The halfway line is the line across the middle of the playing area, dividing it into two equal halves.

Play starts from the halfway line at the beginning of each half and restarts from there after every try has been scored.

Touch Line

The touch lines are the two long lines that mark the sides of the playing area.

If the ball, or the player carrying it, touches or crosses a touch line, the ball is out of play and play stops.

The game is then restarted according to the rules.

In-Goal Area

The in-goal area is the area between the try line and the end of the playing area.

It is not part of the main playing field and has special rules.

A player carrying the ball enters the in-goal area when attempting to score a try. If a player is tackled in this area, or commits certain offences there, special restart rules apply.

 +--------------------------------------------------+
 |                  Try Line                        |
 |==================================================|
 |                                                  |
 |                                                  |
 |                 Halfway Line                     |
 |--------------------------------------------------|
 |                                                  |
 |                                                  |
 |==================================================|
 |                  Try Line                        |
 +--------------------------------------------------+

In-goal area
						Try line
	22-metre line
	10-metre line
	Halfway line
	10-metre line
	22-metre line
	Try line
In-goal area

Starting Play

Play begins, and restarts after every score, with a tap of the ball using the foot, knee or thigh followed immediately by a pass. The player restarting play may not walk with the ball before passing.

Scoring, Passing and General Play

Scoring a Try

The objective of the game is to score a try.

A try is scored when a player carrying the ball crosses the opposition's try line with both feet on or beyond the line before being tackled.

Unlike traditional rugby, the player does not need to place the ball on the ground. Simply carrying the ball over the line is enough.

If a defender illegally prevents a try that would almost certainly have been scored, the referee may award a penalty try.

---

Passing the Ball

Passing the ball

The ball may only be moved by passing it through the air to another player.

A legal pass must be clearly thrown by the player. The ball must not be handed directly to a teammate.

Players should avoid throwing the ball forward. A forward pass results in a scrum, or a turnover if scrums are not being used.

Passing the ball in a "Walking Rugby" game

---

Dropping or Knocking the Ball

If the ball accidentally goes to the ground, what happens depends on the direction it travelled.

If the ball travels backwards

If the ball leaves a player's hands and travels backwards before touching the ground, play stops and possession is awarded to the other team with a turnover.

If the ball travels forwards

If the ball travels forwards before touching the ground, play stops and the non-offending team is awarded a scrum.

If scrums are not being played, the non-offending team receives a turnover instead.

---

Deliberately Knocking the Ball Forward

A player must not deliberately knock the ball forward to stop an opponent's pass or gain an advantage.

If this happens and the ball hits the ground, the referee awards a penalty.

However, if a player intentionally taps the ball upwards and catches it themselves before it reaches the ground (for example, intercepting a pass), play continues.

---

When the Ball or a Player Leaves the Playing Area

The sidelines are called the touch lines.

If either:

• the player carrying the ball steps on or over a touch line, or
• the ball itself goes into touch,

play stops immediately.

The opposing team receives possession with a turnover from the point where the ball left the field.

---

If a Player Falls to the Ground

Walking Rugby is designed to keep players on their feet.

If any player falls to the ground, whether accidentally or while trying to play the ball, the referee stops play immediately.

The team that had possession keeps the ball and restarts play with a tap and pass from the place where play stopped.

---

Playing Safely

Players must remain walking at all times.

Walking means:

• one foot must always remain in contact with the ground;
• both feet must never be off the ground at the same time;
• jumping to catch the ball is not allowed.

Running is a penalty offence whether or not the player has the ball.

In walking rugby, "walking" is defined more strictly than in everyday life. Although exact wording varies slightly between governing bodies and leagues, the general principle is:

At least one foot must remain in contact with the ground at all times.

This means:

• ✅ You may walk quickly, stride, pivot, sidestep and change direction.
• ✅ One foot can leave the ground as long as the other remains in contact with it.
• ❌ You must not run, jog, or sprint.
• ❌ There must never be a moment when both feet are off the ground simultaneously (the "flight phase" that occurs when running).

How referees judge it

In practice, referees don't analyse every stride in detail. They look for whether a player's movement gives them an unfair advantage by effectively running. If it looks like you're jogging or accelerating with a running gait, you'll usually be penalised.

Typical penalty

If a player is judged to be running:

• play is stopped, and
• the opposition is usually awarded a free pass or free kick (depending on the competition's rules).

Different organisations

Walking rugby isn't governed by a single worldwide set of laws, so rules can differ slightly

However, the "one foot on the ground at all times" principle is common to virtually all versions.

---

Advantage

The referee may allow play to continue after a minor infringement if stopping the game would disadvantage the non-offending team.

This is known as playing advantage.

If no advantage develops, the referee will stop play and award the original decision.

The referee alone decides whether an advantage has been gained.

Tackling and Offside

Unlike traditional rugby, Walking Rugby does not allow physical tackles. Instead, play is stopped by making a controlled two-handed touch. This allows the game to remain competitive while greatly reducing the risk of injury.

---

What is a Tackle?

A tackle is made when a defending player simultaneously places both hands on the ball carrier between the shoulders and the waist.

The touch may be made on the player's:

• Chest
• Back
• Sides
• Arms

The defender must clearly call "Tackle!" or "Touch!" at the same time.

The touch must be light and controlled. The defender must never:

• Push the ball carrier.
• Grab or hold the player.
• Strike or slap the player.
• Make contact above the shoulders.
• Make contact below the waist.
• Use excessive force.

Any dangerous or forceful tackle will result in a penalty.

---

What Happens After a Tackle?

Once a tackle has been called:

1. The ball carrier may take no more than one additional pace.
2. The ball carrier must pass the ball within three seconds, unless prevented from doing so by an opponent breaking the rules.
3. The pass must be made from the correct position.

The tackled player may not continue walking with the ball or delay the pass in order to gain ground.

---

Travelling After a Tackle

Sometimes a player cannot stop immediately after being touched.

If the player naturally takes one step before stopping, play continues normally.

If the player travels more than one pace, they must walk back to the point where the tackle occurred before passing the ball.

Failure to do so is known as travelling and results in a penalty.

---

The Defender's Responsibilities

After making a tackle, the defender has an important responsibility.

The defender must immediately move back behind the offside line and allow the tackled player to pass the ball.

The defender must not:

• Stand in front of the tackled player.
• Block the passing lane.
• Prevent or delay the pass.
• Attempt to knock the ball away.
• Grab or strip the ball.

If a defender prevents the pass from being made, a penalty is awarded.

---

Understanding Offside

One of the most important rules in Walking Rugby is offside.

The purpose of the offside rule is to give the attacking team a fair opportunity to continue play after a tackle or restart.

Think of it as an invisible line that defenders must stay behind until they are allowed to compete again.

---

The Offside Line After a Tackle

Every tackle creates an imaginary line across the field.

This line is one meter behind the place where the tackle occurred, towards the defending team's own try line.

Until defenders have moved behind this line, they are offside.

An offside player must not:

• Chase the ball.
• Attempt another tackle.
• Intercept a pass.
• Block an attacker.
• Influence play in any way.

Once they have retired behind the offside line, they may rejoin play immediately.

---

Tackles Near the Try Line

A special rule applies close to the try line.

If a player is tackled within two meters of the opponents' try line:

• the tackled player must move back until they are at least two meters from the try line before passing the ball; and
• defenders must remain on or behind their own try line until the ball has been passed.

This prevents defenders from having an unfair advantage when play is very close to the scoring area.

---

Open Play

When no tackle, turnover, penalty or scrum has occurred, all players are considered onside.

In open play, any defender may:

• Move freely.
• Attempt to intercept a pass.
• Make a legal two-handed tackle.

No offside line exists until play is stopped by one of the situations described above.

---

Common Tackling Mistakes

The following actions are penalties:

• Running instead of walking while making a tackle.
• Touching with one hand instead of two.
• Touching above the shoulders or below the waist.
• Pushing or barging the ball carrier.
• Preventing the tackled player from passing.
• Failing to retreat behind the offside line.
• Attempting to steal, rip or snatch the ball.
• The ball carrier using their arm, shoulder or body to push through a defender.
• The ball carrier deliberately walking into or backing into a defender.

Good tackling should be quick, light, controlled and immediately followed by retreating behind the offside line.

Turnovers, Penalties and Restarting Play

Whenever play stops because of an infringement or because the ball has gone out of play, the referee decides how the game will restart.

Walking Rugby uses three main types of restart:

• A tap restart – used to begin play at the start of each half and after a try has been scored.
• A turnover – used when possession changes to the other team after certain offences or mistakes.
• A penalty – used when a player breaks one of the laws of the game.

Each type of restart has slightly different rules.

---

Tap Restart

A tap restart is used:

• At the start of each half.
• After a try has been scored.

The player restarting play must:

1. Stand at the correct position on the halfway line.
2. Tap the ball with their foot, knee or thigh.
3. Immediately pass the ball to a teammate.

The player may not walk or run with the ball before passing.

Defending Team

Before the ball is tapped:

• All defenders must remain at least three metres from the halfway line.

Once the ball has been tapped, defenders who are onside may move forward.

After a try has been scored, the restart is always taken by the team that conceded the try.

---

Turnovers

A turnover means that possession of the ball passes to the other team.

The team awarded the turnover restarts play from the point where the offence occurred.

---

When is a Turnover Awarded?

A turnover is awarded when:

• The ball travels backwards and touches the ground.
• The player carrying the ball goes into touch.
• The ball goes into touch.
• The tackled player delays passing the ball.
• Any offence that would normally result in a scrum, if scrums are not being played.

---

How to Take a Turnover

The player taking the turnover must:

1. Stand at the place indicated by the referee.
2. Tap the ball with their foot, knee or thigh.
3. Immediately pass the ball.

The player may not walk with the ball before passing.

The restart may be taken quickly if the referee is satisfied that it is safe to do so.

---

Defenders at a Turnover

During a turnover:

• Defenders must retire three meters from the restart position.
• They must remain behind the offside line until the ball has been tapped.

If a defender interferes before retiring, a penalty is awarded.

To prevent unfair pressure close to the goal, no turnover may be taken within three meters of either try line.

---

Penalties

A penalty is awarded when a player deliberately breaks the rules or commits a more serious infringement.

The purpose of a penalty is to restore the advantage to the non-offending team.

---

Common Reasons for a Penalty

A penalty is awarded if a player:

• Runs instead of walking.
• Makes an illegal pass, such as handing the ball directly to a teammate.
• Prevents a tackled player from passing.
• Fails to retire behind the offside line.
• Walks into or backs into a defender.
• Uses their head or shoulder to make contact with a defender.
• Makes a dangerous or forceful tackle.
• Interferes while offside.
• Deliberately knocks the ball forward and it hits the ground.
• Fails to retreat the required three meters at a turnover or penalty.
• Travels more than one pace after being tackled without returning to the correct position before passing. ("travelling")
• Pushes during a scrum.
• Leaves the correct scrum position before the referee calls "Scrum Over."
• Deliberately obstructs an opponent.
• Fails to step back from the try line after being tackled within two meters of it.
• Commits an offence while play is stopped.
• Behaves in an unsporting manner.

---

Taking a Penalty

The player awarded the penalty must:

1. Stand where the referee indicates.
2. Tap the ball with their foot, knee or thigh.
3. Either:
   • pass immediately, or
   • begin walking with the ball.

Unlike a turnover, the player taking a penalty is allowed to walk with the ball after the tap.

The restart may be taken quickly if it is safe to do so.

---

Defenders at a Penalty

All defenders must retire three meters behind the penalty mark.

They must not:

• Stand in front of the ball.
• Delay the restart.
• Attempt to block the first pass.
• Move forward before the ball has been tapped.

If a defender deliberately interferes with a penalty, the referee may:

• Move the penalty mark a further three meters towards the offending team's try line.
• Award a penalty try if the infringement prevents an almost certain score.

---

Referee Decisions

The referee is responsible for enforcing the laws of the game and is the final authority on all decisions.

Where possible, the referee may allow play to continue if stopping the game would disadvantage the non-offending team. This is known as playing advantage.

Players should respect the referee's decisions at all times.

Only the team captain should question a decision, and they should do so respectfully when play has stopped.

Scrums and In-Goal Play

Although Walking Rugby is based on traditional rugby, scrums have been simplified to make them safe, easy to learn and suitable for players of all abilities.

Many Walking Rugby matches are played without scrums. Before the match begins, both teams should agree whether scrums will be used.

If the teams do not agree to use scrums, every situation that would normally result in a scrum is instead restarted with a turnover.

---

What is a Scrum?

A scrum is a controlled way of restarting play after certain accidental mistakes.

Unlike traditional rugby:

• There is no pushing.
• There is no contest for possession.
• The attacking team always keeps possession.
• The scrum simply provides an organised and fair restart.

---

When is a Scrum Awarded?

A scrum is awarded when one of the following accidental offences occurs:

• A forward pass.
• The ball is knocked or dropped forwards.
• The ball rebounds forwards after touching another player.
• The ball rebounds forwards after striking the referee.
• Players accidentally obstruct one another.
• A player is tackled behind their own try line.
• A player throws a forward pass from behind their own try line.

If scrums are not being played, each of these situations becomes a turnover instead.

---

Forming the Scrum

The referee will indicate where the scrum should take place.

The scrum must be formed at least three meters from any touch line or try line.

If the offence occurs closer than this, the scrum is moved to the nearest legal position.

---

Who Takes Part?

Each team provides three players.

These consist of:

• Two players who form the scrum.
• One player, called the scrum-half, who stands immediately behind the scrum.

The remaining players stay outside the scrum and must obey the offside rules.

---

Setting Up the Scrum

The two players from each team stand opposite each other.

They should:

• Lightly touch their opponents' shoulders.
• Remain balanced.
• Avoid gripping clothing.
• Avoid pulling.
• Avoid pushing.

The scrum is not a physical contest.

Its purpose is simply to restart play safely.

---

Feeding the Ball

The attacking scrum-half rolls the ball into the middle of the scrum.

One of the attacking players then gently moves the ball backwards using their foot.

The defending players do not compete for the ball.

Once the ball reaches the back of the scrum, the attacking scrum-half picks it up.

At that moment, the referee calls:"Scrum Over.", Normal play then resumes.

---

Players Not in the Scrum

Players who are not taking part in the scrum must remain behind the correct offside lines.

The attacking team

Players must remain behind the back foot of their own scrum.

The defending team

Players must remain at least three meters behind the back foot of their own scrum.

The defending scrum-half must also remain directly behind their own players until the referee calls "Scrum Over."

Leaving these positions too early results in a penalty.

---

Scrum Safety

To keep scrums safe:

• No player may push.
• No player may pull.
• No player may strike at the ball.
• No player may deliberately collapse the scrum.
• Players should maintain only light shoulder contact.

Any attempt to turn the scrum into a physical contest is a penalty offence.

---

Playing In-Goal

The area behind each team's try line is called the in-goal area.

Special rules apply here because there is very little space available.

---

Tackled Near the Opponents' Try Line

If an attacking player is tackled before reaching the try line but continues into the in-goal area because of their momentum:

• Play stops.
• The player must move back into the field of play until they are at least two metres from the try line.
• They must then pass the ball.

The defenders must remain on or behind their own try line until the pass has been made.

If the defenders move forward too soon, a penalty is awarded.

---

Tackled Behind Your Own Try Line

If a player is tackled while carrying the ball behind their own try line, play restarts with a scrum.

If scrums are not being used, play restarts with a turnover.

The restart takes place three metres into the field of play, directly in line with where the offence occurred.

---

Forward Pass Behind Your Own Try Line

If a player throws a forward pass while behind their own try line, the restart is exactly the same:

• A scrum if scrums are being used.
• A turnover if scrums are not being used.

The restart takes place three metres from the try line, in line with where the offence occurred.

---

Summary

Scrums are simply a structured restart after accidental mistakes.

They are:

• Safe.
• Uncontested.
• Optional.
• Designed to restart play fairly.

If teams choose not to use scrums, every scrum situation is replaced by a turnover, allowing the game to continue with minimal interruption.

Player and Referee Quick Reference Guide

This section summarises the key rules of Walking Rugby. It is designed as a quick reminder for players and a handy reference for referees during matches.

---

Starting Play

Situation	Restart
Start of each half	Tap and pass from the halfway line
After a try	Team that conceded the try restarts with a tap and pass from halfway

Remember:

• Tap the ball with your foot, knee or thigh.
• The player restarting play must not move with the ball before passing.
• Defenders must remain three metres away until the ball has been tapped.

---

Scoring

A try is scored when:

• The ball carrier crosses the opponents' try line.
• Both feet are on or beyond the try line.
• The player has not already been tackled.

The ball does not need to be grounded.

---

Legal Tackle

A legal tackle is:

✔ A simultaneous two-handed touch.

✔ Between the shoulders and waist.

✔ Accompanied by the call:

"Tackle!" or "Touch!"

The defender must not:

✘ Push

✘ Grab

✘ Hold

✘ Strike

✘ Touch above the shoulders

✘ Touch below the waist

---

After a Tackle

The ball carrier must:

✔ Stop within one pace.

✔ Pass within three seconds.

✔ Return to the tackle mark if they travel too far.

Defenders must:

✔ Retreat behind the offside line.

✔ Allow the pass to be made.

---

Offside Distances

Situation	Offside Distance
After a tackle	1 metre
Turnover	3 metres
Penalty	3 metres
Tap restart	3 metres
Scrum (defenders)	3 metres

---

Turnovers

A turnover is awarded when:

• The ball goes backwards onto the ground.
• The ball or ball carrier goes into touch.
• The tackled player delays passing.
• Scrums are not being played and a scrum offence occurs.

Restart by:

• Tapping the ball.
• Passing immediately.

---

Penalties

Common reasons for penalties include:

• Running.
• Dangerous tackle.
• Blocking a pass.
• Failing to retreat after a tackle.
• Walking into or backing into a defender.
• Deliberate knock-on.
• Obstruction.
• Unsporting behaviour.
• Pushing during a scrum.

Restart by:

• Tapping the ball.
• Walking or passing immediately.

---

Scrum Summary

Used only if both teams agree before the match.

Three players per team:

• Two players form the scrum.
• One scrum-half.

The scrum is:

✔ Uncontested.

✔ No pushing.

✔ No pulling.

✔ No striking for the ball.

The attacking team always retains possession.

If scrums are not used:

Every scrum offence becomes a turnover.

---

In-Goal Rules

If tackled within two meters of the opponents' try line:

• Step back until at least two meters from the try line.
• Then pass.

Defenders remain on or behind their try line until the pass is made.

---

Fair Play

Walking Rugby is built around five core values:

• Teamwork
• Respect
• Enjoyment
• Discipline
• Sportsmanship

Winning is important, but never more important than the safety and enjoyment of everyone taking part.

---

Common Mistakes Made by New Players

• Running instead of walking.
• Forgetting to pass after being tackled.
• Continuing to walk after a tackle.
• Standing in front of the ball after making a tackle.
• Handing the ball directly to a teammate instead of passing it.
• Standing too close at a restart.
• Walking into a defender instead of passing.
• Trying to take the ball from the ball carrier.

---

Referee Checklist

Before the match:

• Confirm whether scrums will be used.
• Confirm match length.
• Introduce captains.
• Check players are wearing suitable footwear.
• Check jewellery and watches have been removed or covered.

During the match:

• Encourage quick restarts.
• Apply advantage where appropriate.
• Keep the game flowing.
• Prioritise player safety.
• Explain decisions clearly where necessary, particularly for new players.

---

Final Reminder

Walking Rugby is intended to be:

• Inclusive.
• Safe.
• Friendly.
• Enjoyable.
• Competitive without unnecessary physical contact.

Players are encouraged to help one another learn the game, respect the referee's decisions and play in the spirit of good sportsmanship at all times.