RULES OF THE GAME
1. The playing area must have the following measurements:
Total Length: 31 meters (including both team in-goal areas of 3 meters each)
Total Width: 25 meters.
2. The teams are made up of 5 ‘in-field’ players, 7 replacements are admitted 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 may enter the field approx. 1 meter from the enclosure in a central position, although they may exit from whatever position. 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 opposing 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)
3. 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.
4. A try is worth one point and there are no goals after a try.
5. The ball used in the game shall be a no. 4 type.
6. It is not allowed to kick the ball.
7. Line-out and scrummage are eliminated and play resumes with a free kick.
8. 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 free for all other players. If this rule is not observed, as determined by the referee, his/her team will lose possession of the ball.
9. After scoring a try, the ball must be free-kicked from the middle of the field by the team conceding the try. This can be done quickly but only if the ball has been brought from the In-Goal area without any forward passes; otherwise, they will have to wait until the opposing team have re-taken their positions.
10. 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.
11. A match consists of two halves of 5 minutes each with a 3 minute interval in between.
12. In case a match ends in a draw, an additional limitless period will be played under the sudden-death rule (i.e. the first scoring team is the winner).
13. In the case where some teams might rank with the same score during qualification rounds, the team with the highest number of tries will qualify (regardless of the type of try); in case parity should persist, the type of tries will count; if again parity persists, the youngest team (obtained by summing up the players’ years of birth and then dividing them by 12) will win.
14. When an attacking player carries the ball into the in-goal area or over the goal line that player has three seconds to score a try. Penalty: A free kick is awarded to the defending team 5 metres from the goal line.
15. When an attacking player scores a try that player must leave the ball at the place where the try has been scored. Penalty: A free kick from the centre of the half-way line is awarded to the opposing team and the offending player will be cautioned and temporarily suspended.
16. All the players shall wear tear-resistant jerseys and NOT T-SHIRTS with the players numbers or names on the back; the jerseys will be assessed at the beginning of the Championship by a Technical Commission formed by the Championship Manager and/or L.I.B.R. representative and a referee. The homologation process will be repeated for each Championship even though the jerseys have been previously deemed appropriate.
17. For any omitted rules, please see the RULES of F.I.R.
IRB: http://laws.worldrugby.org/downloads/modified_forms/Beach_Fives_Rugby_EN.pdf
