Rules of rugby union (the hand off)?????

Question

Hi

i was playing Rugby for my U15 Rugby team. I was through a gap and a player came towards me. I handed him off as i would with anyother player the problem was. He was small and my hand went into his face. I was then penalised for an offence i presumed it was for the hand off in the face. I asked my team mates and some were unsure and others said you cannot do it full stop. But I have seen in the international and Premiership games, that they hand off in the face.

Can someone please clear this up for me; is it illegal in all levels of rugby ; is it illegal in U 15 level and why so? Or is it legall in any age of rugby.

Many Thanks

Ewan

Answer 1

hand offs are common and luckily legal HOWEVER handoffs to the face are very dangerous and so refs will always penalise you for them. however handoffs on the shoulders etc are perfectly legal. as well as this the way you perform your hand off is also in question. if you have an open hand facing your opposer its okay. as well as this your arm has to be out straight-you cand hit out, you must onyl use the driving force of your run.

as far as age goes it should be legal as the U16s and U15s in my club are allowed to do it.

Answer 2

Not sure about U15, but when my son played at U13 level, he was penalised and had a try disallowed for handing off even though he had handed off before!

This only happened after the parents of the other team complained to the ref!

At this level I think the ref's use their own discretion at the time.

Bear in mind, that different areas have different rules as we found on tour in England!

Answer 3

That sounds OK to me

Answer 4

I believe there is a restriction on age, but could be wrong. Also its down to the age old issue of whether the ref sees it or not.

Answer 5

hand-offs are fine, however local authorites may implement local laws banning hand-offs. please check with your coaches on the latest ruling.

note - when handing-off, oyur arm must be stiff/straight. you cannot start contact with your arm bent and then straighten it once contact has been made. this would considered as punching/striking. refs will blow this up at school boy level especialy if its done to the opponents face