What are the tackle and breakdown rules at U9, U10 and U11?

At all three ages:

• Tackles must be waist high or lower. The waist is the line of the shorts.
• Defenders may not rip the ball from the ball carrier.
• The offside line is 1m back from the rearmost part of the body at the tackle area.
• No mauling. If a maul forms, a free pass goes to the non-offending team.
• The acting scrum half must pass without delay and can't be tackled.

U9 (contact is introduced):

• Only one tackler is allowed.
• A high tackle gives a free pass to the non-offending team.
• A held player must pass or place the ball within 3 seconds.
• Defenders can only tackle. They can't contest for the ball.
• After the 6th tackle the ball goes to the opposition.
• Hand-offs aren't allowed (free pass to the opposition).

U10 and U11 (the contest is introduced):

• More than one tackler is allowed.
• After a tackle, one player from each team can contest for the ball. This can be anyone involved in the tackle or an arriving player.
• The first player to the breakdown can pick and go before a ruck forms.
• Once a ruck has formed, the acting scrum half must pass and can't be tackled.
• No hand-offs or fends of any kind (free kick).