Under 9’s & Under 10’s

Lower age junior football has some rule modifications to allow players to develop the skills of the game without some of the pressures normally associated with AFL football. For those who have come through the Auskick program, the changes are similar to those in an Auskick game however there are still some differences. Below are the WRFL modified rules for U9’s and U10’s .It is worth noting that volunteer coaches and umpires endeavour to ensure that games flow smoothly so rules may be interpreted and applied according to circumstances. If you have any queries approach your team’s manager – never approach umpires directly.

Playing Ground: Normal size or of a size reduced down to a minimum of half an existing ground. Clubs must notify opposition clubs by the Thursday before the game should they be playing on a reduced sized ground.

Football: The use of all-weather synthetic balls of regulation size is to be used for all games, inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications and is to have all official League markings.

Team: 18 per side. Interchange any time, any number of reserves. Players to be rotated every quarter i.e. centre, backs, forwards. Excess players should be given to opposition team if they are short.

Playing Time: Four (4) quarters, 15 minutes duration. Every player shall be given half a game.

Coach on Ground: Will only be permitted. However if he/she queries any decision of the umpire he/she will be ordered from the field. WRFL order off rule to apply. Teams may use a runner to deliver messages from an assistant on the bench.

Start of Play: Game to be started by a ball up between rucks. Player must not grab ball at ball up. It must be knocked, palmed or punched. This applies to centre throw ups only.

Scrimmage: Ball up between two (2) players of equal height.

Out of Bounds: When out of bounds from a kick a free kick shall be awarded to nearest opponent. If in doubt to which team kicked it out, a ball up will take place five (5) metres in from boundary.

Tackling: Players can hold an opponent with their hands knock the ball from their hands, push the player in his/her side. However deliberate slinging to the ground is not allowed.

Bumping: A restrained bump is permitted. He/she is not allowed to continue running with the ball. Deliberate hard bumps will be penalised.

Shepherding: A player is allowed to block only an opponent not in possession of the ball.

Mark: Over any distance.

Bouncing the Ball: May bounce the ball only once then must dispose of it.

Kicking off the Ground: Not permitted if deliberate.

Staying in Position: Players must stay in their positions. It will be up to the umpires discretion to stop play and demand players return to their positions.

Spirit of Game: At the end of the game both teams are to gather in the centre and shake each other by the hand.

Players Contradicting the Umpires Decision: Will be immediately ordered from the field as per WRFL order off rule.

•  No premiership points to be awarded.
• No publication of ladders.
• No WRFL awards to be made to individual Players.
• No Final Series to be played.
• No scores kept.
• No scoreboard to operate.
• 15m rule applies

 

Under 11’s and Under 12’s

The only modified rule to apply to under 11’s and under 12’s is the barring of deliberate kicking off the ground.

15m rules applies

Games are played for premiership points and a finals series is played. The coach is not allowed on the ground. Messages are delivered by the team runner.

Players and officials are required to sign a team sheet. In U9’s and U10’s players are not required to sign a team sheet but team managers will generally get them to do so to get them into the match day routine that will be required from U11’s and up. A maximum of 7 interchange players are allowed in WRFL juniors from U11’s.

Quarters are played over 17 minutes with no time on allowed; however the clock stops if a stretcher is brought onto the ground.

 

 

Under 13’s and Under 14’s

There are no modified rules in under 13’s and under 14’s.

15m rule applies.

Quarters are played over 20 minutes with no time on allowed; however the clock stops if a stretcher is brought onto the ground.

 

 

Under 15’s and under 16’s

There are no modified rules in under 15’s and under 16’s.

50m rule applies.

Quarters are played over 22 minutes with no time on allowed; however the clock stops if a stretcher is brought onto the ground.

 

 

Youth Girls

Youth girls games are played as 15 a side games (less a back pocket, forward pocket and centre from 18 a side games) with a maximum of six interchange players.

Mouthguards are compulsory in the youth girl’s competition.

Quarters are played over 15 minutes with no time on allowed; however the clock stops if the blood rule is called or a stretcher is brought onto the ground.

Mark paid if kick travels at least 10m.

Players may only bounce the ball a maximum of two times.

No player can grab the ball from a ball up or throw in. The ball must be punched or tapped.

Kicking off the ground is not allowed.

The arms of a player in possession of the ball may not be chopped.