Parent's Guide to NRL Junior League Under 6-Under 12 2026

• Under 6: tag only (League Tag with 6 tags). There is no tackling.
• Under 7: tag until the team has completed a tackle readiness program. After that the team can switch to the tackle format. The laws recommend the program run for at least 10 weeks.
• Under 8 and older: the tackle format is played, with a 6-tackle count.

In tag, a tackle is made by pulling a tag off. The ball-carrier cannot fend off defenders, protect the tag with the arm or ball, or run directly at a defender, and a try needs two tags attached when the ball is grounded.

The NRL's TackleReady program teaches correct, safe tackling techniques in six sessions run by accredited deliverers, and is designed to reduce the effect of differences in size, maturity and skill.

Source: Junior Rugby League Laws 6-12 years (Official 2026), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/18199/2026-national-6-12-junior-league-laws.pdf and TackleReady, https://www.playrugbyleague.com/framework/tackleready/

Both teams should start with equal numbers. If one team has fewer players, the team with more is encouraged to lend players so the game can go ahead. If a team cannot reach the minimum, the local league can decide to let the game start anyway.

Source: Junior Rugby League Laws 6-12 years (Official 2026), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/18199/2026-national-6-12-junior-league-laws.pdf

In-goal areas (normally up to 5 metres deep) are added to the ends of each field. Under 8 and Under 9 games use goal posts built from PVC tubing, and the posts are padded for safety.

Source: Junior Rugby League Laws 6-12 years (Official 2026), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/18199/2026-national-6-12-junior-league-laws.pdf

Game length

• Under 6 to Under 9: four 8-minute quarters, with a 1-minute break between quarters (this can be extended to 3 minutes at half time).
• Under 10 to Under 12: two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute break.

Minimum playing time

• Under 6 to Under 9: every player must play at least two full, unbroken 8-minute quarters.
• Under 10 to Under 12: every player must play at least one full, unbroken 20-minute half.

If there are spare players, everyone should be given as much time on the field as possible. Teams are best kept to 10 players at Under 6 and 7, and 12 players at Under 8 and 9, so every child gets a fair run.

An injured player can be replaced for up to 3 minutes and then return. If the replacement stays on longer than 3 minutes, the swap becomes permanent.

Source: Junior Rugby League Laws 6-12 years (Official 2026), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/18199/2026-national-6-12-junior-league-laws.pdf

Junior league competitions are Development Competitions, so no ladders, finals series or premierships at any age from Under 6 to Under 12.

• Under 6 to Under 9: matches are not scored at all.
• Under 10 to Under 12: matches may be scored, but results are not to be published.

Leagues are asked to even out the talent across teams, play teams of similar ability against each other as often as possible, and give every team an equal number of games.

Source: Junior Rugby League Laws 6-12 years (Official 2026), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/18199/2026-national-6-12-junior-league-laws.pdf

Every junior age group gets a set of 6 tackles (or 6 tags in tag football) to use the ball before it changes hands. The referee calls the count and signals the "5th and last". A zero tackle follows the same rules as the international game.

The rules that shape play by age:

• Under 6 and Under 7: a minimum of 1 pass. If the dummy half runs, is tagged or tackled and does not score, the team loses the ball. There are no markers, and defenders stand back 5 metres. In Under 6 only, a knock-on, forward pass or running into touch is a "chance": play carries on and the count moves up by one.
• Under 8 and Under 9: a minimum of 2 passes before a player can be tackled in possession, unless the player is wearing a vest. Under 8 uses a yellow vest for first receiver (no markers). Under 9 adds a second vest for dummy half and one marker.
• Under 10 to Under 12: the two-pass rule applies with vests for first receiver and dummy half, and one marker at the play-the-ball.

Vests must be rotated at the end of each period (each quarter or half), and a player who has worn a vest cannot wear it again that game.

Source: Junior Rugby League Laws 6-12 years (Official 2026), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/18199/2026-national-6-12-junior-league-laws.pdf

A try is worth 4 points at every age. Kicking depends on age:

• Under 6 and Under 7: no kicking and no conversions. The only kicks are the kick-off at the start of a period and tap-kick restarts (after a try the other team restarts with a tap kick).
• Under 8: conversions are allowed, but there is no kicking in general play.
• Under 9 to Under 12: conversions and kicking in general play are allowed (no bombs).

A conversion is worth 2 points and can be a place kick or drop kick from directly in front of the posts. A player who has taken a kick at goal cannot take another until every other player on the field has had a turn. A kick at goal from a penalty is not allowed, and no points are awarded for field goals.

If an attacking player pressures a player trying to catch a kick and there is a risk of injury, the referee stops play and the receiving team gets a play-the-ball.

Source: Junior Rugby League Laws 6-12 years (Official 2026), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/18199/2026-national-6-12-junior-league-laws.pdf

The SafePlay Code is enforced in every match from Under 6 to Under 15, and a penalty must be awarded for any breach. In summary:

• Tackles above the armpits are not permitted.
• No tripping, throwing or lifting the ball-carrier, no crotch holds, no shoulder charges and no ankle taps.
• No slinging or swinging, no pushing an opponent, and no dangerous flops (a defender cannot drop onto a player lying on the ground).
• Aggressive palms are not permitted: the ball-carrier cannot thrust out an arm to contact a defender above the shoulder.
• Surrender: the ball-carrier may surrender in the tackle, and defenders must then not complete the tackle.
• There is no stripping or stealing the ball in any contact situation.
• Scrums are not formed in any junior age group. After an error the other team simply plays the ball.
• Verbal abuse and offensive language are not permitted.

In Under 6 and Under 7 a player who breaks these rules is cautioned, or asked to come off for the rest of the period or, in serious cases, the match.

Source: Junior Rugby League Laws 6-12 years (Official 2026), https://www.playrugbyleague.com/media/18199/2026-national-6-12-junior-league-laws.pdf

The NRL's National Code of Conduct applies to players, parents, coaches, referees, spectators and officials. It asks everyone, including people on the sideline, to:

• show positive acts of sportsmanship
• demonstrate the greatest levels of respect
• lead by positive example
• celebrate the "good news" stories
• accept that the integrity of the sport is of paramount importance

Its short version is: be a good sport, keep it fun, safe and inclusive, and shake hands with and thank the opposition.

The SafePlay Code, which is enforced in all matches for ages 6 to 15, also says verbal abuse and foul, threatening or offensive language are not permitted.

Source: NRL Code of Conduct, https://www.playrugbyleague.com/laws-of-the-game-community/code-of-conduct/