American flag rugby

American flag rugby (AFR) is a fun, mixed-gender, non-contact version of rugby union. It is a type of Tag Rugby made just for American children in grades K–9. This version of rugby is safe and exciting, perfect for young players.

The group behind American flag rugby helps communities start new youth rugby programs. They give away free start-up kits and offer support to any group that wants to play. Because of this, many new programs have started all over America.

The program has gotten a lot of praise. It was featured in Rugby magazine and even appeared on Fox Sports Net. Today, thousands of kids and adults are enjoying this sport and starting new programs in their communities.

Overview

American flag rugby is a fun, non-contact version of rugby for children in grades K–9. It has four levels based on the grade a child is entering: Owls (K–1st grades), Falcons (2nd–3rd grades), Hawks (4th–6th grades), and Eagles (7th–9th grades). Each level has rules that match the children's skills.

The game is similar to rugby sevens, with fewer players and shorter halves—just 10 minutes each. In the earlier levels like Owls, children learn basic skills such as running with the ball and passing, without any kicking or complex plays. As they move up to the Eagle level, the game becomes more like traditional rugby, with more advanced rules and actions.

Field size

In American flag rugby, the field size changes with the age group. The youngest players, called Owls, play on a field that is 20 meters by 30 meters. This is about a quarter the size of a normal rugby field. There are no goal posts because there is no kicking in this game.

Older groups, called Falcons, play on a field that is 25 meters by 50 meters. This is about a third of a normal rugby field. Goal posts can be added, but they are not required. The oldest players, called Hawks and Eagles, play on a field that is 40 meters by 60 meters. This is about half the size of a normal rugby field. The bigger space lets players pass and kick more as they get better.

History

The first version of American flag rugby started in 1998 by a man named Tom Feury. He wanted to introduce the game to his children and their friends. In 1999, the town of Denville let him use a field for the game. That first year, there was just one team with 28 children.