We take a look at the modified rules which apply to Mini/Mod Football. All rules applying to International Rugby League apply to Mini Mod Football except where they are modified below. All care has been taken in compiling these Modified Rules, but you should refer to the latest issue of the official rules should a dispute arise.

Remember, rugby league is a game of advantage. The advantage rule applies to all decisions made by the referee, so a referee may elect to play-on if an infringement has occurred, especially if the attacking side has momentum. (e.g. There may be no advantage if a quick play-the-ball in Under 9s up allows the attacking side to make a clean break and no marker was present. A penalty could allow the defence to regroup and end the momentum of the attack.)

Our Mini/Mod referees are unpaid volunteers. Please respect their amateur status and direct any complaints about referees through the correct channels. Don't direct personal abuse at the referee, as it gives the wrong impression to our young players. Remember, Club Referees give up their time to referee for no monetary reward and the rules are not simple as you can see from these summaries.

Mini Footy (Under 7 & Under 8)
Mid League (Under 9 & Under 10)
Mod League (Under 11)
Mod League (Under 12)

Mini Footy (Under 7 & Under 8)

Size of Field	70 metres x 30 metres
Number of Players	Min: 6 Max: 8
Football Size	Mini
Coaches	A level 0 or Preliminary Award is required and a level 1 is strongly recommended. Level 1 is mandatory for coaching teams 10 and over. Coaches may be present on the field for U/7 games in Round 1.
Periods of Play	Four (4) x 10 minutes quarters; One minute break after quarters one (1) and (3); 3 minute break at half-time. Teams change direction of play at half-time only.
Send-off/Sin-bin	The referee may have players replaced for the remainder of a quarter or the remainder of a game for misconduct.
Play-the-ball	No marker allowed Ball must be played backwards with the foot Team not in possession must retire not less than 5 metres from the play-the-ball Team in possession must retire behind the acting (dummy) half Team not in possession must not move forward until the ball is in the hands of the first receiver or until the dummy half elects to run with the ball or mishandles the ball
Passes	Two or more passes are required outside the line ten metres from the team's goal line or possession changeover occurs. Within the area 10 metres out from a team's goal line one pass only is required.
Zero Tackle Count Occurs after	A player fields a kick from the start of play, restart of play, penalty kick or free kick and is tackled before passing the ball A player picks up a ball dropped by an opponent, intercepts a pass between opponents or gains possession after the ball is deliberately played at by an opponent, and is tackled before passing the ball Player tap kicks the ball at a penalty or free kick and is tackled before passing the ball
Starts of Play (beginning of each quarter)	The non-kicking team must retire at least 5 metres The ball must travel five metres forward before either team can touch it The non-kicking team must stay behind the ball until it is kicked Players to take kicks in turn
Restarts of Play	Non-kicking side must retire at least 5 metres After a try, the non-scoring side to restart play with a place kick from the centre of the halfway The ball does not have to travel any prescribed distance (i.e. tap can be taken) The restart must be taken by all players in rotation At other restarts, (e.g. drop-outs, taps etc.) the non-kicking team must retire at least 5 metres At all starts and restarts of play, should the ball travel the required five metres and end in touch after first landing in the field of play, the kicking side will play the ball opposite where the ball crossed the touch line with a zero tackle count Players to take kicks in turn
Kicking in General Play	Not Allowed
Goal-line Drop out	The non-kicking team to retire at least 5 metres
1/4 way Tap Restart	The non-kicking team to retire at least 5 metres
Penalty Kicks	The non-kicking team to retire at least 5 metres
Kicks at Goal	Kicks at goal taken only after a try is scored, no penalty kicks for goal allowed except for 'second conversion'* A place kick or drop kick directly in front of goal 5 metres out Players to take kicks in turn
Try	A try scored after less than 2 passes is worth three (3) points A try scored after 2 or more passes is worth five (5) points A Penalty Try is worth five (5) points
Change of Possession	Knock-on/Forward Pass Acting (dummy) half or first receiver runs with the ball and is caught in possession The fourth tackle A player runs or is forced into touch The ball is kicked in general play Ball carrier is held up over the try line on the last tackle
Scrum	Infringement from both sides (e.g. double knock-on), except on final tackle Ball carrier held up over try line except on final tackle From a penalty kick the ball is touched by an opposition member before crossing the sideline There is an infringement involving a referee, touch judge or spectator The referee accidentally blows the whistle The ball bursts in general play
Scrum Details	Three (3) players from each side form scrum Scrums set at least 10 metres in from touch Scrums set at least 10 metres from goal line Two sets must pack with backs parallel to the ground Players involved must face opponents goal line until ball emerges from scrum No pushing, pulling or rotating allowed Only the hooker to strike for the ball Ball to go in tunnel Props must keep both feet on the ground Ball to emerge from behind the outside leg of the prop forwards Scrums are completely depowered and to form up on the following format: Form: Engage: Hold
Stripping the ball	At any tackle there shall be no stripping or stealing of the ball even one on one
*Penalty Infringement during scoring of a try	When an act of misconduct occurs in the same play that a try is scored or the scorer is subject to illegal play during the actual scoring of the try, the penalty kick shall be awarded as a second 'conversion' directly in front of the posts.

Mid League (Under 9 & Under 10)

Size of Field	80 metres x 50 metres
Number of Players	Min: 8 Max: 11
Football Size	Mini (Under 9); Mod (Under 10)
Coaches	A level 0 or Preliminary Award is required and a level 1 is strongly recommended. Level 1 is mandatory for coaching teams 10 and over.
Periods of Play	Two (2) x 20 minutes halves; Five (5) minute break at half-time. Teams change direction of play at half-time.
Send-off/Sin-bin	The referee may have players replaced for the remainder of a half or the remainder of a game for misconduct.
Play-the-ball	One only marker must always be present Ball must be played backwards with the foot Team not in possession (other than the marker) must retire not less than 5 metres from the play-the-ball Team in possession must retire behind the acting (dummy) half Team not in possession (including the marker) must not move forward until the ball is in the hands of the first receiver or until the dummy half elects to run with the ball or mishandles the ball
Passes	Two or more passes are required outside the line ten metres from the team's goal line or possession changeover occurs. Within the area 10 metres out from a team's goal line one pass only is required. A kick in general play regathered by the attacking team including the kicker, is a transfer of possession and counts as a pass. If an opposition player plays at the ball during a transfer of possession it nullifies both the tackle count and the pass count.
Zero Tackle Count Occurs after	A player fields a kick from the start of play, restart of play, penalty kick or free kick and is tackled before passing the ball A player picks up a ball dropped by an opponent, intercepts a pass between opponents or gains possession after the ball is deliberately played at by an opponent, and is tackled before passing the ball Player tap kicks the ball at a penalty or free kick and is tackled before passing the ball
Starts of Play (beginning of each half)	The non-kicking team must retire at least 10 metres The ball must travel ten metres forward before either team can touch it The non-kicking team must stay behind the ball until it is kicked Players to take kicks in turn
Restarts of Play	Non-kicking side must retire at least 10 metres After a try, the non-scoring side to restart play with a place kick from the centre of the halfway The ball must travel 10 metres in a forward direction before either side touches it At other restarts, (e.g. drop-outs, taps etc.) the non-kicking team must retire at least 10 metres At all starts and restarts of play, should the ball travel the required ten metres and end in touch after first landing in the field of play, the kicking side will play the ball opposite where the ball crossed the touch line with a zero tackle count Players to take kicks in turn
Kicking in General Play	Allowed, except for bombs and field-goals The International Law that refers to 40/20 kicks does not apply
Goal-line Drop out	The non-kicking team to retire at least 10 metres
1/4 way Tap Restart	The non-kicking team to retire at least 10metres
Penalty Kicks	The non-kicking team to retire at least 10 metres
Kicks at Goal	Kicks at goal taken only after a try is scored, no penalty kicks for goal allowed, except for 'second conversion'* A place kick or drop kick directly in front of goal 10 metres out Players to take kicks in turn
Try	A try scored after less than 2 passes is worth three (3) points A try scored after 2 or more passes is worth five (5) points A Penalty Try is worth five (5) points
Change of Possession	Knock-on/Forward Pass Acting (dummy) half or first receiver runs with the ball and is caught in possession The sixth tackle A player runs or is forced into touch The ball is kicked in general play and goes into touch on the full (change of possession where ball is kicked) The ball is kicked in general play and goes into touch after bouncing in the field of play the full (change of possession in 10 metres opposite where ball crosses touch line) Ball carrier is held up over the try line on the last tackle Bombs or attempted drop field goals (subject to advantage rule)
Scrum	Infringement from both sides (e.g. double knock-on), except on final tackle Ball carrier held up over try line except on final tackle From a penalty kick the ball is touched by an opposition member before crossing the sideline There is an infringement involving a referee, touch judge or spectator The referee accidentally blows the whistle The ball bursts in general play
Scrum Details	Five (5) players from each side form scrum Scrums set at least 10 metres in from touch Scrums set at least 10 metres from goal line Two sets must pack with backs parallel to the ground Players involved must face opponents goal line until ball emerges from scrum No pushing, pulling or rotating allowed Only the hooker to strike for the ball Ball to go in tunnel Props must keep both feet on the ground Ball to emerge from behind the inside leg of the prop forwards Scrums are completely depowered and to form up on the following format: Form: Engage: Hold
Stripping the ball	At any tackle there shall be no stripping or stealing of the ball even one on one
*Penalty Infringement during scoring of a try	When an act of misconduct occurs in the same play that a try is scored or the scorer is subject to illegal play during the actual scoring of the try, the penalty kick shall be awarded as a second 'conversion' directly in front of the posts.

Mod League (Under 11)

Size of Field	100 metres x 70 metres
Number of Players	Min: 9 Max: 12
Football Size	Mod
Coaches	Level 1 is mandatory for coaching teams 10 and over.
Periods of Play	Two (2) x 20 minutes halves; Five (5) minute break at half-time. Teams change direction of play at half-time.
Send-off/Sin-bin	The referee may have players replaced for the remainder of a half or the remainder of a game for misconduct.
Play-the-ball	One only marker must always be present Ball must be played backwards with the foot Team not in possession (other than the marker) must retire not less than 5 metres from the play-the-ball Team in possession must retire behind the acting (dummy) half Team not in possession (excluding the marker) must not move forward until the ball has cleared the ruck  The marker may not move until the ball is in the hands of the first receiver or until the dummy half elects to run with the ball or mishandles the ball
Passes	Two or more passes are required outside the twenty metre line from the team's goal line or possession changeover occurs. Within the area 20 metres out from a team's goal line one pass only is required. A kick in general play regathered by the attacking team including the kicker, is a transfer of possession and counts as a pass. If an opposition player plays at the ball during a transfer of possession it nullifies both the tackle count and the pass count.
Zero Tackle Count Occurs after	A player fields a kick from the start of play, restart of play, penalty kick or free kick and is tackled before passing the ball A player picks up a ball dropped by an opponent, intercepts a pass between opponents or gains possession after the ball is deliberately played at by an opponent, and is tackled before passing the ball Player tap kicks the ball at a penalty or free kick and is tackled before passing the ball
Starts of Play (beginning of each half)	The non-kicking team must retire at least 10 metres The ball must travel ten metres forward before either team can touch it The non-kicking team must stay behind the ball until it is kicked Players to take kicks in turn
Restarts of Play	Non-kicking side must retire at least 10 metres After a try, the non-scoring side to restart play with a place kick from the centre of the halfway The ball must travel 10 metres in a forward direction before either side touches it At other restarts, (e.g. drop-outs, taps etc.) the non-kicking team must retire at least 10 metres At all starts and restarts of play, should the ball travel the required ten metres and end in touch after first landing in the field of play, the kicking side will play the ball opposite where the ball crossed the touch line with a zero tackle count Players to take kicks in turn
Kicking in General Play	Allowed, except for bombs and field-goals The International Law that refers to 40/20 kicks does not apply
Goal-line Drop out	The non-kicking team to retire at least 10 metres
20 metre Tap Restart	The non-kicking team to retire at least 10 metres
Penalty Kicks	The non-kicking team to retire at least 10 metres
Kicks at Goal	Kicks at goal taken only after a try is scored, no penalty kicks for goal allowed, except for 'second conversion'* A place kick or drop kick directly in front of goal 10 metres out Players to take kicks in turn
Try	A try scored after less than 3 passes is worth three (3) points A try scored after 3 or more passes is worth five (5) points A Penalty Try is worth five (5) points
Change of Possession	Knock-on/Forward Pass Acting (dummy) half or first receiver runs with the ball and is caught in possession The sixth tackle A player runs or is forced into touch The ball is kicked in general play and goes into touch on the full (change of possession where ball is kicked) The ball is kicked in general play and goes into touch after bouncing in the field of play the full (change of possession in 10 metres, opposite where ball crosses touch line) Ball carrier is held up over the try line on the last tackle Bombs or attempted drop field goals (subject to advantage rule)
Scrum	Infringement from both sides (e.g. double knock-on), except on final tackle Ball carrier held up over try line except on final tackle From a penalty kick the ball is touched by an opposition member before crossing the sideline There is an infringement involving a referee, touch judge or spectator The referee accidentally blows the whistle The ball bursts in general play
Scrum Details	Five (5) players from each side form scrum Scrums set at least 10 metres in from touch Scrums set at least 10 metres from goal line Two sets must pack with backs parallel to the ground Players involved must face opponents goal line until ball emerges from scrum No pushing, pulling or rotating allowed Only the hooker to strike for the ball Ball to go in tunnel Props must keep both feet on the ground Ball to emerge from behind the inside leg of the prop forwards Scrums are completely depowered and to form up on the following format: Form: Engage: Hold
Stripping the ball	At any tackle there shall be no stripping or stealing of the ball even one on one
*Penalty Infringement during scoring of a try	When an act of misconduct occurs in the same play that a try is scored or the scorer is subject to illegal play during the actual scoring of the try, the penalty kick shall be awarded as a second 'conversion' directly in front of the posts.

Mod League (Under 12)

Size of Field	100 metres x 70 metres
Number of Players	Min: 9 Max: 13
Football Size	Mod
Coaches	Level 1 is mandatory for coaching teams 10 and over.
Periods of Play	Two (2) x 25 minutes halves; Five (5) minute break at half-time. Teams change direction of play at half-time.
Send-off/Sin-bin	The referee may have players replaced for the remainder of a half or the remainder of a game for misconduct.
Play-the-ball	One only marker must always be present Ball must be played backwards with the foot Team not in possession (other than the marker) must retire not less than 5 metres from the play-the-ball Team in possession must retire behind the acting (dummy) half Team not in possession (excluding the marker) must not move forward until the ball has cleared the ruck  The marker may not move until the ball is in the hands of the first receiver or until the dummy half elects to run with the ball or mishandles the ball
Passes	Two or more passes are required outside the twenty metre line team's goal line or possession changeover occurs. Within the area 20 metres out from a team's goal line no passes are required. (Dummy-half can run and be tackled) A kick in general play regathered by the attacking team including the kicker, is a transfer of possession and counts as a pass. If an opposition player plays at the ball during a transfer of possession it nullifies both the tackle count and the pass count.
Zero Tackle Count Occurs after	A player fields a kick from the start of play, restart of play, penalty kick or free kick and is tackled before passing the ball A player picks up a ball dropped by an opponent, intercepts a pass between opponents or gains possession after the ball is deliberately played at by an opponent, and is tackled before passing the ball Player tap kicks the ball at a penalty or free kick and is tackled before passing the ball
Starts of Play (beginning of each half)	The non-kicking team must retire at least 10 metres The ball must travel ten metres forward before either team can touch it The non-kicking team must stay behind the ball until it is kicked Players to take kicks in turn
Restarts of Play	Non-kicking side must retire at least 10 metres After a try, the non-scoring side to restart play with a place kick from the centre of the halfway The ball must travel 10 metres in a forward direction before either side touches it At other restarts, (e.g. drop-outs, taps etc.) the non-kicking team must retire at least 10 metres At all starts and restarts of play, should the ball travel the required ten metres and end in touch after first landing in the field of play, the kicking side will play the ball opposite where the ball crossed the touch line with a zero tackle count Players to take kicks in turn
Kicking in General Play	Allowed, except for bombs and field-goals The International Law that refers to 40/20 kicks does not apply
Goal-line Drop out	The non-kicking team to retire at least 10 metres
20 metre Tap Restart	The non-kicking team to retire at least 10 metres
Penalty Kicks	The non-kicking team to retire at least 10 metres
Kicks at Goal	Kicks at goal taken only after a try is scored, no penalty kicks for goal allowed, except for 'second conversion'* A place kick only allowed The kick is to be taken directly in line with where the try was scored, except where the try was scored less than ten metres in from the touch line. Where the try was scored less than ten metres from the touch line, the kick is taken along the line ten metres in field from the touch line. Players to take kicks in turn
Try	A try scored after less than 3 passes is worth three (3) points A try scored after 3 or more passes is worth five (5) points A Penalty Try is worth five (5) points
Change of Possession	Knock-on/Forward Pass after final tackle Acting (dummy) half or first receiver runs with the ball and is caught in possession The sixth tackle A player runs or is forced into touch The ball is kicked in general play and goes into touch on the full (change of possession where ball is kicked) The ball is kicked in general play and goes into touch after bouncing in the field of play the full (change of possession in 10 metres, opposite where ball crosses touch line) Ball carrier is held up over the try line on the last tackle Bombs or attempted drop field goals (subject to advantage rule)
Scrum	Infringement from both sides (e.g. double knock-on), except on final tackle Knock-on/Forward pass Ball carrier held up over try line except on final tackle From a penalty kick the ball is touched by an opposition member before crossing the sideline There is an infringement involving a referee, touch judge or spectator The referee accidentally blows the whistle The ball bursts in general play
Scrum Details	Six (5) players from each side form scrum Scrums set at least 10 metres in from touch Scrums set at least 10 metres from goal line Two sets must pack with backs parallel to the ground Players involved must face opponents goal line until ball emerges from scrum No pushing, pulling or rotating allowed Only the hooker to strike for the ball Ball to go in tunnel Props must keep both feet on the ground Ball to emerge from behind the inside leg of the prop forwards Scrums are completely depowered and to form up on the following format: Form: Engage: Hold
Stripping the ball	At any tackle there shall be no stripping or stealing of the ball even one on one
*Penalty Infringement during scoring of a try	When an act of misconduct occurs in the same play that a try is scored or the scorer is subject to illegal play during the actual scoring of the try, the penalty kick shall be awarded as a second 'conversion' directly in front of the posts.