LAWS OF BEACH RUGBY
What is Beach Rugby?
Beach Rugby is a fast, dynamic variant of rugby played on the beach. At North Sea Beach Rugby in The Hague, the focus is on enjoyment — for players and spectators alike. Our rules are based on the official World Rugby regulations, specially adapted in collaboration with, among others, the European Beach Rugby Association (EBRA), for lightning-fast and spectacular matches on the sand.
What does a team look like?
- 5 players are on the field at the same time
- 7 substitutes are ready on the sideline
- Unlimited substitutions are allowed — so everyone can fully participate
The key rule: the 2-second rule
The most well-known rule in Beach Rugby is the 2-second rule:
If you are tackled or come into contact with an opponent, you must play or release the ball within 2 seconds.
This rule ensures that:
- the rugby ball keeps moving quickly
- matches stay exciting and dynamic
- players continuously improve their ball skills and reaction speed
Thanks to these rules, North Sea Beach Rugby has grown increasingly popular — among players of all levels and spectators on the sideline.
Rules for younger players
Beach Rugby is for everyone, including the youngest rugby players! Adapted rules apply for children:
- Under 12 – Adapted field size appropriate for their age
- U8 – Plays Tag Rugby — no physical contact, with a size 3 rugby ball
Download all rules
Want to know all the details? Download the full official Beach Rugby rules:
- The beach fives rugby field has a total length of 31 meters (25 meter playing field and 2 in-goal areas of 3 meters) and a total width of 25 meters.
- The teams are made up of 5 ‘in-field’ players, 7 replacements are admitted (so a team is made up of 12 players maximum) and interchangeable at times during the match without any need to call for the referee’s permission, although the interchange must take place only during a standstill of play. In this event, players must enter the field from the centre line. Leaving the field may be done at any place.
- As soon as the referee becomes aware that a team has more than 5 players on the field, he may disallow any action that has taken place in the meantime, unless the opponent team have gained an advantage
(Ex. 1: a try is scored and the defending team has 6 players on the field: the score stands. Ex. 2: a try is scored and the attacking team has 6 players on the field: the try is disallowed). - Only the recognized captain may report to the referee to ask for explanations or flag serious infringements such as the opponents having 6 players on the field.
- The try is worth one point and there are no kicks after a try.
- The ball used in the game shall be a no. 4 type.
- It is not allowed to kick the ball.
- Line-out and scrummage are eliminated and play is reassumed by a free kick.
- When the player carrying the ball is caught by the opponent, from that point, he must release the ball within 2 seconds by passing it over or leaving it to anybody’s disposal. If this rule is not observed, his/her team will lose possession of the ball.
- After scoring a try, the ball will be free-kicked from the middle of the field by the team suffering the try. The team that has been suffering by the try may quickly bring the ball to the half way line and resume play. This without a forward pass, otherwise, they will have to wait until the opponents have taken their positions
- The distance from the ball for penalty kicks or kick-off shall be 5 meters.
Penalty: If this distance is not observed, the referee will ascribe a further 5-meter penalty to the player. - A match consists of two halves of 5 minutes each with a 3 minutes’ interval.
- In case a match ends in a draw, an additional limitless period will be played under the sudden-death rule, i.e. the fist scoring team is the winner.
- In case some teams rank with the same score during qualification rounds, the team with the highest number of tries will qualify.
- When an attacking player carries the ball into try area that player has three seconds to score a try. Penalty: A free kick is awarded to the opposing team 5 metres from thetry line. The player who made the offense is temporarily suspended for 2 minutes.
- When a player scores a try, the player must leave the ball where the try was made. If the player fails to do so, the defending side gets a free kick on the half way line. The player who committed the offence gets a time penalty of 2 minutes.
- All the players shall wear tear-resistant jerseys and not t-shirts with the players’ numbers on the back. Before the start of the game, this is controlled by either referee or other officials for the tournament.
Match Laws Beach Rugby – North Sea Beach Rugby
The North Sea Beach Rugby competition laws are based on the official guidelines of World Rugby and Rugby Europe.At the initiative of North Sea Beach Rugby, the European Beach Rugby Association (EBRA) and others have adapted these laws for faster, more spectacular and more spectator-friendly matches.
Law changes
We strive to publish the most up-to-date Beach Rugby laws on our website. However, we cannot guarantee that all recent changes are reflected immediately. North Sea Beach Rugby reserves the right to adjust laws in order to further develop and improve the sport.
Questions about the laws?
Do you have a question about the Beach Rugby match laws? Feel free to contact us at rugby@northseabeachrugby.com.
