Law differences: Sevens

The IRB’s Sevens series is under way. Those who watch carefully will notice some differences from the laws in the 15-man game.

The differences are not many – things like scoring a try, touch, passing, catching, tackling, mauling and rucking stay the same. In fact, because of the smaller numbers, you get classic rucks with one from each side in physical contact over the ball which is on the ground.

1. Numbers

Teams are smaller – seven to a side.

As a result there are just three in a scrum.

Teams may have five replacements but use only three during the match.

2. Time

Time is shorter – seven minutes a half except in finals when it is 10 minutes a half.

Half-time must not be longer than two minutes.

If extra time is played, it consists of two halves of five minutes each without a half-time break.

A sin-binning lasts two minutes.

3. Match officials

There are five match officials for each match – the referee, two assistant referees and two in-goal judges.

There is a goal judge in each in-goal to help with tries and kicks at goal.

4. Conversion kicks

This is a drop kick to be taken within 40 seconds of scoring a try.

When a conversion is being taken the opposing team must gather close to its own 10-metre line.

5. Penalty kicks at goal

Penalty kicks at goal are drop kicks, taken within 30 seconds of the award of the penalty.

6. Kick-offs

After a score, the team which scored kicks off.

If there is an error with the kick-off – player in front of the kicker, ball going directly into touch, ball going into the opponents’ in-goal, ball not travelling 10 metres – the opposing team has a free kick at the middle of the half-way line where in 15-man rugby it would have been a scrum.

7. Scrums

It is illegal for a player in the scrum to kick the ball towards his opponents’ side.