What changes from Under 12, and what tackle height applies?
Rule- England
- RFL
- Junior rugby league
- Primary Rugby League
- Under 6-Under 16
- 2026
- Parents
From Under 12, children move into Youth and Junior competitions played under the International Laws of the Game, with RFL variations for the community game:
- 13-a-side, with unlimited substitutions.
- Tackle height: armpit. Any contact above the armpit is penalised. This applies at all levels of the community game.
- No 40/20 kick.
- Match length (two equal halves, with at least 5 minutes between halves):
| Age group | Match length | Sin bin |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 (Year 7) | 40 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Under 13 and Under 14 | 50 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Under 15 and Under 16 | 60 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Under 17 and Under 18 | 70 minutes | 10 minutes |
Ball size:
- Boys: size 4 at Under 12 and Under 13, size 5 from Under 14.
- Girls: size 4 from Under 12 to Under 18, size 5 at Under 19.
Girls' Under 12s (girls in school Years 6 and 7) play the RFL's Under 12s modified rules: 11-a-side, halves of up to 20 minutes, size 4 ball, passive scrums of up to 5 players with no pushing, no ball stealing, and every player must play at least half the game.
Updated 21 Oct 2026