The Development Path has four stages taking boys and girls through the most direct preparation for the adult game. The Path is the primary method of youth rugby development in the USA, and is used when player numbers permit, and appropriately qualified coaching is available for all players. The stages are Micro Rugby, Mini Rugby, Midi Rugby and Under-19 Rugby.
Micro Rugby
Micro Rugby is for boys and girls that are new to the game. They may be as young as six, but may be older. The emphasis is on players having fun while running with the ball, evading opponents, supporting the ball-carrier, passing, tagging the ball-carrier, and scoring points. It is a seven-a-side game with no tackles, no rucks, no mauls, no scrums, no line-outs and no kicking. The tackle is replaced by a tag, where the ball-carrier is touched by an opponent, with two hands between waist and knee (or, as a local option, a flag is removed from a belt at the ball-carrier’s waist). The players learn the basic ball-handling and movement skills of the game in the absence of the contact elements.
Mini Rugby
After some experience players can move onto Mini Rugby. Players may be as young as eight, but likely to be about eleven. Experience, rather than age, is probably the more important determinant of when players are ready for Mini Rugby. The game remains seven-a-side, but players are introduced to some basic contact elements. The tag is no longer used, and, through proper coaching, boys and girls are taught to tackle safely. They are also taught to participate safely in contact elements such as rucks, mauls, scrums and line-outs. Rucks and mauls have limits on how aggressive the players may be, and the scrums and line-outs are initially uncontested.
Midi Rugby
With further experience players can move onto Midi Ruby. Players may be as young as ten, but likely to be about thirteen. The game is twelve-a-side. Five-player, multi-row, contested scrums have strict limits on movement. Line-outs are contested, with limits on supporting team-mates that jump for the ball. Restart kicks and kicks at goal are introduced, as is open field kicking from hand.
Under-19 Rugby
With even more experience players can move on to Under-19 Rugby. It is normally played by high school age players, though some younger high school players may continue with Midi Rugby. The game is fifteen-a-side, with eight forwards and seven backs. It is fully representative of the adult game, though some safety restrictions for young players remain at scrums.
