Coach's Guide to NRL Junior Laws Under 13-Under 18 2026

The 2026 Junior Rugby League Laws (6-12 years) are the International Laws with modifications. For Under 10 to Under 12, the differences from the International Laws that Under 13 to Under 18 teams play are:

• Players on the field. International: not more than 13 per team. Under 10 and 11: 11 (minimum 8). Under 12: 13 (minimum 11).
• Field. International (and Under 12): 100 m x 68 m. Under 10 and 11: 80 m x 48 m.
• Match length. International: normally 80 minutes with a 5 minute half time, which can be reduced by mutual agreement if the competition's rules permit. Under 10 to 12: two 20 minute halves with a 5 minute interval.
• Scrums. Not formed in the 6-12 laws; a play-the-ball restarts instead. In the International game scrums are played, and the SafePlay Code requires them to be de-powered up to Under 15.
• Passing and play-the-ball. Under 10 to 12 add a two pass law with a vested first receiver and dummy half, and one marker only at the play-the-ball.
• Goals. In Under 10 to 12, a goal is attempted only after a try and is worth two points, and a kick at goal from a penalty is not allowed.
• Misconduct. In Under 10 to 12, a player who merits suspension is replaced for the rest of the half or the game. The International Laws allow a caution, a ten minute suspension or dismissal.
• Competition status. In Under 10 to 12, no competition tables are recorded and no finals series or premierships are awarded.

Both use a six tackle count.

Sources: https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/18199/2026-national-6-12-junior-league-laws.pdf and the International Laws (April 2023), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/14513/nrl-international-rules-book-2023_web-version-1.pdf

Under 13 to Under 15 (SafePlay Code): tackles above the armpits are not permitted. It is an infringement if, while attempting to tackle a ball-carrier, a defender makes contact above the armpits intentionally, recklessly or carelessly.

The one stated exception: a defender in front of a ball-carrier who is diving or falling may come into contact with the ball-carrier's shoulder, provided the defender's arm or arms extend down the shoulder and trunk, that is, underneath the ball-carrier.

All ages under the International Laws (including Under 16 to Under 18): it is misconduct to make contact with the head or neck of an opponent intentionally, recklessly or carelessly when effecting or attempting to effect a tackle (Section 15, law 1(b)).

When a player in possession is held upright by two or more defenders, any other defender must make initial contact above the knees (the knee joint).

Sources: National SafePlay Code 6-15 years, https://www.playrugbyleague.com/safety/safeplay/ and the International Laws (April 2023), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/14513/nrl-international-rules-book-2023_web-version-1.pdf

No. A shoulder charge is misconduct under Section 15 of the International Laws (law 1(k)), and the SafePlay Code lists it among its dangerous tackles. A shoulder charge is where a defender, without attempting to tackle, grab or hold the ball-carrier (or any opposing player) using the arms or hands, makes direct physical contact with the shoulder or upper arm.

The SafePlay Code (up to and including Under 15) also says:

• The tackler's legs cannot be used to trip or throw. An ankle tap is an infringement, which is not to be confused with a genuine attempt to wrap the arms around the legs.
• Adopting a crotch hold is an infringement.
• The ball-carrier cannot be lifted. If a defender lifts one foot or leg, the referee must call "held" immediately. If the tackle continues, or the ball-carrier is placed in a dangerous position, the referee must penalise the offending player.
• It is an offence to sling or swing the ball-carrier using any part of their body, clothing or equipment.
• Any forceful, dangerous or unnecessary contact that involves an unacceptable risk of injury is an offence, regardless of the point of impact.

For all ages under the International Laws, misconduct also includes tripping, kicking or striking, dropping knees first on an opponent on the ground, any dangerous throw, unnecessary pressure or twists (including grapples, crushers and a "chicken wing" hold), and forcefully spearing at the legs of a player in possession. A dangerous throw is a tackle where the player is lifted into a position where the first part of their body likely to hit the ground is the head or neck.

Sources: https://www.playrugbyleague.com/safety/safeplay/ and the International Laws (April 2023), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/14513/nrl-international-rules-book-2023_web-version-1.pdf

For players up to and including Under 15, the National SafePlay Code also makes these infringements:

• Ball-carrier contact. The ball-carrier cannot thrust out an arm or use an outstretched stiff arm to contact a defender's head or neck, and cannot make forceful, dangerous or unnecessary contact that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to an opponent.
• Pushing. A player cannot push an opponent.
• Dangerous flop. A player cannot drop, dive or fall on a prone player. A simple hand-on can complete the tackle.
• Verbal abuse. Threatening or offensive language, including sledging and comments that threaten or denigrate an opponent, referee or supporter.
• Scrums. All scrums are de-powered. Deliberately pushing, pulling in or rotating a scrum is an infringement. Once the ball is fed, only the hookers may strike for it, and the second rowers may rake it out with their foot.

The Code also allows the ball-carrier to surrender in the tackle. The referee, not the player, calls "held" if the ball-carrier surrenders before or in the tackle, or is held or subdued so their progress is halted.

A penalty must follow any infringement. If an advantage occurs, the penalty is awarded either at the breakdown immediately after the misconduct or where it occurred, whichever favours the non-offending team more.

Source: National SafePlay Code 6-15 years, https://www.playrugbyleague.com/safety/safeplay/

Yes. Under Section 16 of the International Laws, for misconduct the referee may, at their discretion, caution, temporarily suspend for ten minutes, or dismiss the player.

• A temporarily suspended (sin binned) player re-enters when the referee permits. The referee is guided by the timekeeper if there is one. The player is not regarded as a substitute.
• A dismissed player can take no further part in the match.
• When a final caution is given, the referee records the offence and the time, and must quote them if the player is later dismissed.

SafePlay Code (Under 13 to Under 15). A penalty is mandatory after any breach of the Code. In addition, the referee may at their discretion sin bin or dismiss the offending player in the International game for 13 to 15 year olds.

The SafePlay Code does not state a sin bin or dismissal option for the 16 to 18 age groups, but the general misconduct powers in Section 16 of the International Laws apply to them.

Source: International Laws (April 2023), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/14513/nrl-international-rules-book-2023_web-version-1.pdf, and National SafePlay Code 6-15 years, https://www.playrugbyleague.com/safety/safeplay/

Under Section 4 of the International Laws (April 2023):

• Each team may use interchange players, provided their names are made known to the referee before the match starts.
• An interchange is only effected after a player has left the field. The replacement takes the field immediately, in an onside position, with the permission of a Touch Judge or Interchange Official.
• League governing bodies may choose either unlimited or limited interchange for their competitions, so the number allowed is set by the competition.
• A player cannot be replaced during a play-the-ball, except a player replacing an injured player who has left the field, or when play has been stopped because of injury.
• If an interchange happens when a kick at goal is about to be taken, the incoming player cannot take the kick.
• If a player is bleeding excessively, the referee directs them to leave the field for attention or to receive medical attention on-field. If they are replaced, the replacement counts as one of the interchanges.
• A "free" interchange is allowed when a player is fouled and injured by a player who is dismissed, sin binned or placed on report, but only if the injured player is immediately replaced. If the injured player later returns to the field, the interchange is then counted.
• A team must have at least 9 players or the match is terminated for safety reasons. Players in the sin bin count as participants, but dismissed players do not.

Source: https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/14513/nrl-international-rules-book-2023_web-version-1.pdf

These are the NSWRL Weight and Age Guidelines, which apply to tackle competitions in NSW.

Playing down one age group. A player can apply to play one age group below their natural age (the age they turn in the current calendar year) if they are at or under the weight limit (based on roughly the 15th percentile of males):

• Approval is for one season only, and NSWRL can review and remove it at any time.
• A player who plays down cannot play in their natural age group the same season.
• Players apply to their League and are weighed by an NSWRL-appointed official. Once verified they are not weighed again that season.
• Junior Representative players cannot apply.
• There are separate weight limits for female-only dual-age competitions (for example 44 kg for a player turning 15 to play Under 14).

Weight Restricted competitions (upper limits, roughly the 90th percentile of males) run alongside the age divisions: Under 13 68 kg, Under 14 75 kg, Under 15 81 kg, Under 16 84 kg. Players above the limit must play in their age division. Teams must present all players for weighing before the competition starts, and a player found ineligible cannot be re-weighed later to try to qualify.

Source: https://clubhub.nswrl.com.au/support/solutions/articles/51000451596

Community Rugby League coaching accreditation has two parts:

1. eLearning. The Community Coach eLearning is age group specific and is the starting point for anyone coaching a community team. In NSW, completing the age-appropriate modules in the NRL Learning Centre grants an initial Community Coach accreditation that expires on 30 June of that year. Coaches of League Tag teams also complete a League Tag eLearning module.
2. Face to face workshop. Coaches must register into the relevant workshop after the eLearning to complete accreditation. In NSW it extends the accreditation for four seasons, expiring on 1 November.

A coach whose Community Coach qualification has expired can complete an online re-accreditation.

NSWRL's coach role description says coaches must hold the qualifications stipulated by their league, region or state.

Sources: https://www.playrugbyleague.com/coach/coaching-courses/community-coach/ and https://clubhub.nswrl.com.au/support/solutions/articles/51000452814-community-coaching-courses

Under the Community Rugby League Policy and Guidelines for the Management of Concussion (effective 3 November 2025):

• A player suspected of concussion must be taken out of the game or training session immediately, and must not return to that game or session, or any other, until cleared by a doctor, even if they appear to have recovered.
• The incident must be recorded in the online Head Injury Recognition and Referral Form (HIRRF) in MySideline.
• Red flags (for example loss of consciousness, seizure, severe or increasing headache, double vision, vomiting, neck pain, deteriorating conscious state): call an ambulance (000) and refer to hospital.
• Every player removed with a suspected concussion must see a doctor within 72 hours (3 days), even if symptoms resolve.
• A player aged 18 or younger who is diagnosed with concussion cannot be available for selection, including any game day role, before the 19th day after the concussion, and only after symptoms have resolved and a doctor has cleared them. For adults the earliest is the 11th day.
• Return needs the NRL Head Injury/Concussion Medical Clearance form completed by the treating doctor. It is the only form accepted as medical clearance.
• All players complete a 6 stage return to sport program, and children and adolescents also complete a return to learn program.

Source: https://www.playrugbyleague.com/trainer/concussion/concussionpolicy/ (the policy PDF) and https://www.playrugbyleague.com/trainer/concussion/

The SafePlay Code says:

• Coaches must ensure players understand the Code and observe it fully.
• Parents, players, coaches and referees should familiarise themselves with the Code before the season and before subsequent matches.
• A copy of the Code should be prominently displayed at match venues and training sessions.
• Referees must be fully briefed on how the Code works.
• Where International Law games are played, a pre-match meeting should include the referee, coaches, ground officials and, where possible, team captains.

The Code applies to all players up to and including the Under 15 age group.

Source: National SafePlay Code 6-15 years (NRL Game Development and Education Team, February 2024) and the playrugbyleague.com SafePlay page, https://www.playrugbyleague.com/safety/safeplay/