Rippa Rugby Rules

Rippa Rugby Rules

by Matt Jones

​The objective of the game is to score a try (worth 5 points) by grounding the ball behind the opponents’ try line. 

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There is no contact in Rippa Rugby.

There is no kicking in Rippa Rugby.

All players wear a belt with two flags attached by velcro (one to each hip). 

The ball cannot be passed forwards - only sideways or backwards.

​To prevent a try being scored, the defenders must rip a flag from the belt of the ball carrier. 

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The ball carrier cannot fend off defenders or guard their flags in any way. 

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When a defender rips a flag from the ball carrier, he/she holds the flag up and shouts, “RIP!”

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The ball carrier must then pass the ball to a teammate immediately. 

Six rips (tackles) against the attacking team results in a turnover of possession, i.e. the defenders get the ball and become the attackers.

​Starting Play

​One team starts/re-starts the match from the centre of the field with a free pass. 

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When a try is scored, the non-scoring team starts at the centre of the field.

​Free Pass

The player making the pass starts with the ball in two hands.

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The opposing team must remain at least 5m back until the ball leaves the hands.

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When the referee calls, “Play”, the player passes the ball to a teammate.​

A free pass is also used to start play after a turnover of possession, wherever that occurs on the field. There will be a turnover of possession if/when:

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• ​The attacking team gets ripped for the sixth time

• ​The ball carrier goes out of bounds

• ​There is a knock on (the player knocks the ball to the ground towards the opponents' try line)

• ​A defending player intercepts, prevents, or slows down a pass while offside (once a rip has been made, any defenders in front of where the rip was made must get back behind that spot before they actively play)

• ​The attacking team makes a forward pass

• ​The ball carrier hands the ball to another player (instead of passing)

• ​The ball carrier goes to ground

Fill in the Blank

The objective of the game is to score a ___ by grounding the ball behind the opponents’ try line.

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A try is worth _ points

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All players wear a belt with _ flags attached by velcro

Fill in the Blank

There should be one flag on each ___

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The ball cannot be passed ________

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A tackle is made by ripping a flag from the ____ _______ and shouting, "RIP!"

Fill in the Blank

After a rip, the ball carrier must ____ the ball

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_ rips against the attacking team results in a turnover of possession

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Play starts/restarts with a ____ pass

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When the attacking team has a free pass, the defending team must remain at least _ meters back until the ball leaves the hands

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When a player knocks the ball to the ground towards the opponents' try line, it's called a _____ __ and results in a turnover of possession

Multiple Choice

There is no contact or kicking allowed in Rippa Rugby

• True

• False

​Now you know the rules, let's play!