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X-League Playing Rules 2024
X-League can be viewed as a pathway game into the 13-a-side full tackle game of Rugby League (RL), but also, an inclusive social variant of RL aimed at a broader participation demographic. Across age ranges, genders, fitness levels, physical ability, and levels of experience.
Ethos of the Game
Duration
1.1. Standard games in a competition setting are to run for 13 minutes in total (no half time). This can be flexible and changed by agreement of the teams.
1.2. The X-League Steering Group (SG) prescribes the duration for stand-alone and series games as 2 X 10 min halves (maximum).
Game Rules
X-League can vary in its intensity, from a social variant of RL, similar to Touch, Tag, and Masters, to being a training game that is close to the full-contact version. The aim of X-League is to provide an environment to play a limited-contact version of RL, which enables specific RL skills to be practiced whilst maintaining a lower risk of injury. Whilst most rules of X-League are merely logical adaptations of the full RL game rules, the X-League tackle is what sets it apart from other variants. A X-League ‘tackle’ is made when a defender places a hand on the ball that is in the possession of an opponent.
In-Game Points
2.1. Scoring is 4 points per try, 2 points for a conversion. (please see 17.5 for conversion rule)
2.2. A try is scored by placing the ball down over the opponent’s try line without the ball being touched by a defender. Or by touching both feet into the in-goal area before the ball has been touched by a defender. Catching a kick in the in-goal area would also result in a try being awarded, provided the catcher was not in front of the kicker when the ball was kicked.
The Tackle
4.1. A tackle will be affected once the defensive player has made contact with their hand on the ball that is in an opponent’s possession. The tackler should call ‘tackle’. If the tackle is not called, where the ‘touch’ on the ball is obvious to all parties involved, the tackle is deemed to have been made.
4.2. A deliberate touch/tackle can only be made with the hand or lower part of the arm. A player cannot deliberately make a touch with the foot, leg or shoulder and doing so is considered dangerous play.
4.3. “Phantom tackle” if a player calls a ‘tackle’ and then admits there was not a ‘tackle’ made. This results in a zero tackle play-the-ball penalty to the team in possession. If a defender says that they made a tackle on the ball, and the ball carrier disputes it, the referee will, (unless they are 100% sure there was no tackle made) accept the defenders call.
4.4. When a ‘tackle’ has been called, the defender may keep their hand on the ball for a short period, a maximum of 3 seconds. A referee may (but is not required to) call release at which point the defender must release immediately. If the defender loses contact with the ball and tries to put their hand back on the ball to lengthen the delay, a zero tackle play-the-ball penalty will be awarded to the ball carrier for interference at the play-the-ball. The defender may only maintain contact with the ball and must not take the opportunity to ‘clamp’ the attacking player.
4.5. When a ‘tackle’ has been called, the defender can remain at the site of the play-the-ball, and act as a single ‘marker’. This means they do not have to retreat the 5 metres, but the player must stay ‘square’ i.e. directly in front of the tackled player until the dummy half has picked up and either made a passing motion or taken a step with the ball, (this is slightly longer than in the full contact game) or the defender will be penalised for offside.
4.6. When a tackle is complete it will be called by the referee (or the defending captain).
4.7. In the case where a ball carrier is surrounded or enveloped by defenders for some time, but the ball has not yet been touched, to prevent excessive wrestling, a tackle can still be called.
4.8. If a ball carrier falls to the ground, so that their knee or elbow touches the ground, a tackle is called in the interest of safety.
4.9. ‘Alternative Tackle Rules’ (ATR). For players who choose to play the ATR, the rules allow for certain players to complete a tackle and be tackled by simply making any touch on the ball carrier. When these players are in possession of the ball they are only deemed to be tackled when two different defenders make an ‘any touch’ tackle on them. The first defender cannot hold this player until a teammate arrives to make the second touch. These rules are used to encourage greater participation by players who do not feel comfortable with the level of contact in the usual X-League tackle. In a mixed gender game, the ATR must be used between female and male players.
4.10. Forms of voluntary tackle are prohibited, instances where an attacker initiates contact with a touch using the hand or the ball will result in a zero-tackle turnover to the defending side.
Misconduct
X-League must always be considered as only a limited-contact version of RL. Whilst ‘Fending-off’ a defender is permitted, a fend-off to the face or neck or above the arm-pit is not, and therefore should be penalised. Also, whilst a defender can grab onto the ball, defenders must not attempt to make a ‘full’ tackle that brings the ball carrier to the ground. This will result in a penalty against the offender.
Contact
If the ball carrier raises the ball up to keep the ball out of the reach of a defender, they must pass the ball from that raised position. If the ball is not passed the referee will call ‘overhead’ and this results in a turnover and a zero tackle play-the-ball. The definition of an ‘overhead’ is when all of the ball is raised above all of the head of the player in possession.
A defender can, whilst attempting to get to the ball, pull the shirt or pull or push at the ball carrier’s arms when dealing with an attempted fend. The attacker can protect the ball and keep the defender’s arms at bay. But, all players, either attacking or defending, may not deliberately attempt to change the momentum of an opponent, by barging, pulling or pushing. This is considered misconduct. The first offence will result in a warning, subsequent offences will result in a ‘sin-binning’ of the offending player, who can only return after a try has been scored by either team.
Play-The-Ball
7.1. The play-the-ball should be made by rolling the ball back with the hand, and if necessary pushing the ball back to the dummy-half, with the foot. The tackled player must be standing on one foot and the other foot must appear to be assisting the ball backwards to the dummy-half. A failure to be standing on one foot will result in a zero tackle play-the-ball penalty turnover.
7.2. The play-the-ball must be performed as close to the place where the tackle was made as possible. A failure to be on or near the mark will result in a zero tackle play-the-ball penalty turnover.
7.3. A defender can make a ‘legal steal’ or ‘ball hack’ attempt, at the point of the play-the-ball, as the tackled player attempts to pick up the ball or make a play-the-ball. The ball steal or hack can only be attempted by the defending marker, and only if the marker is the tackler. (See further in 10.4).
Restarts
8.1. The game starts, and restarts after a try, with a ‘tap’ in the centre of the field. Any tap technique will do, i.e. if the ball is on the ground it can be touched with the foot and then picked up, the ball can be held in the hands and touched off any part of the leg, below the knee.
8.2. The opening tap-off will be decided by a coin toss or other appropriate means.
8.3. Tap-offs after a score are performed by the non-scoring team.
8.4. If a ball is kicked dead, or lost in the in-goal area, by the attacking team, the ball is turned over to the opposition and play restarts with a tap, centre field, 5m out from the try line.
8.5. A ‘Zero tackle, play-the-ball’ restart takes place at the site of any miss-handling errors or when the sixth tackle has been completed and the ball has been turned over to the opposition.
Kicking in General Play
9.1. Kicking the ball is permitted in X-League at any time during the set of six.
9.2. Kicks can go any height and any distance.
9.3. If a kick goes out of play on the full, the non-kicking team will be awarded a ‘zero tackle, play-the-ball’ from where it was kicked.
9.4. If the kicker re-gathers their own kick, they can score.
9.5. If a kick is successfully caught by a member of the kicking team, with both feet over the try line a try will be awarded, even though the ball has not been touched down.
9.6. If a kick is successfully caught, or touched with the hand and then dropped, by a member of the non-kicking team,
whilst they have one or both feet over the try line the kick is deemed to have been ‘defused’ and a tap turnover will be awarded. This will take place centre field 5 meters out from the try line.
9.7. ‘Free Catch Rule’. If a kick is not successfully caught, but it is touched by the hand of a player on the non-kicking team, it is deemed to have been ‘defused’ and a turnover will occur where it was touched.
9.8. If a player from team A kicks the ball, and a player from team B does not attempt to catch or touch the ball with his hands, but instead kicks the ball, they then becomes the kicker and a player from team A need only touch the ball with their hands to get possession back.
9.9. If a player catches a ball cleanly and plays on, the next tackle will be a ‘zero tackle’, but if they play on and then make an error, they will be deemed to have taken the advantage and lose possession. The team that kicked the ball originally will get possession back with a zero tackle play-the-ball.
9.10. Alternative kicking rules at 17.6.
Other In-Goal Rules
10.1. In general play when a player in possession is tackled whilst either foot is behind their own try line, they must perform a dropout from centre field on their own try line (which cannot be re-gathered by the kicking team).
10.2. Even if the dropout bounces in field and rolls over the sideline, the kicking team loses possession and the receiving team restarts the game with a ‘zero tackle, play-the-ball’ 5 metres in-field from where the ball went out.
10.3. If the dropout goes over the sideline on the full, it is a tap to the receiving team on the 5m line in the centre of the field.
10.4. In the unlikely event that the dropout goes the full length of the field and out over the dead-ball line at the other end of the field, the other team must then perform a dropout.
10.5. A try is awarded even if the ball carrier is tackled over the try line, provided that the ball carrier has had both feet over the line.
Obstruction
11.1. A player cannot deliberately use a teammate to shield themselves from being tackled. If however a defenders direct route to a ball carrier is blocked by an attacking player without the ball, as long as that attacking player does not deliberately move to obstruct the defender there is no infringement. A deliberate obstruction results in a zero tackle play-the-ball penalty turnover.
Defensive Line & Offside
12.1. The defensive team must retreat 5 metres back from the mark of the play-the-ball. The team must make it back to the referee or captain who is setting the onside line. However, if they are offside when the play-the-ball takes place, if they continue to retreat so that they get back 5 metres from the original mark, they are then onside. Retreating/defensive players who do not retreat directly, are not attempting to get on-side, and can be penalised for being off-side.
12.2. Advantage can be played and the ball carrier can ignore the tackle of an off-side player and continue. If the advantage does not result in a try, and the attacking team are tackled, a zero tackle play-the-ball will be awarded to them.
12.3. Repeated offside infringements can result in a sin-binning (until a try is scored).
Dummy Half
13.1. The Dummy-Half can be tackled without losing possession and can score without having to pass the ball first.
Playing at a Ball That Has Been Passed or Kicked
14.1. If a pass is thrown and a defensive player makes a play at the ball knocking it to the ground, the passing team will receive a new set of six. Starting with a zero tackle play-the-ball.
14.2. If a pass is thrown and it hits a defensive player and goes to ground, it is deemed not played at, the passing team is responsible for the error, and this results in a zero tackle play-the-ball turnover.
Discipline and Refereeing
15.1. Control of the game can be done by an appointed referee, or by ‘captains’ agreement’.
15.2. ‘Captains’ agreement’ means that a player from each team sets the on-side and calls out the tackle count, and calls out any miss-handling errors or infringements. Each team will also appoint a vice-captain.
15.3. Most infringements are obvious, but if there is a dispute between the two captains, the decision is made by a vice-captain from one of the teams. This decision is indisputable. The right to make this indisputable decision switches from team to team on each occasion.
15.4. The game is always meant to be played in a spirit of cooperation and fun. But in cases of repeated deliberate infringements or dissent, a player can be sin-binned, until a try is scored, or sent-off for the rest of the game.
Competition Specific Rules and Optional Rules
16.1. Competitions may wish to include additional rules to the game this is permitted as long as agreed by the referees and captains of all competing teams and The X-League Rules Committee. It is recommended this is flagged in the referees meeting in the weeks leading up to the event.
16.2. ‘Alternative player numbers and field dimensions’. It is possible to play X-League Rugby League on any sized pitch with any number of players however it is advised to try to keep the scale of the original rules.
16.3. ‘Alternative restart’. An alternative form of restarting play is a ‘must take’ kick taken out of the hands and from the centre spot, the kicking team cannot chase the kick. If the receiving team catches cleanly they will proceed to a tap restart at the centre spot, if it is dropped or no attempt is made to catch it and it lands in the field of play, the kicking team will start play for the centre spot with a tap. Under this rule the scoring team kicks off. The ball must go at least 10m high and must travel 10m too.
16.4. ‘Excessive Contact Rule’. In the event of contact becoming excess in the eyes of the referee or one of the participating captains, a warning will be issued to both teams, if the excessive contact persists the remainder of the game will be played under modified “touch” rules: Both teams will lose one player, the tackle will be affected by a one handed touch, no markers are permitted and the overhead rule is not applied.
16.5. ‘Conversion Rule’ : After a try, the scoring team will have an attempt at converting the try with a single play from 10m from the try line in line with where the try was scored, the converting team score the conversion with any method mentioned in Rule 2.2, the play will end by any normal means (tackle, knock on, ball out of play, etc.) plus if the defending team regain possession of the ball . In the event of a penalty against the defending team during the conversion play, or preventing the play from starting (time wasting) the conversion will be deemed automatically successful. The attacking team will have a maximum of 30 seconds to prepare for the conversion, failure to start the play in this time will result in an unsuccessful conversion.
16.6. ‘Limited Kicking Rule’ : In the interest of safety, where kicking may complicate the game, potentially increase contact or otherwise take from the spirit of the game. a competition or individual game organiser can opt to apply a rule where the play is over when a kick touches the ground. Resulting in a Zero tackle turnover where the ball lands. Cleanly caught kicks will be considered in play and therefore play on.
Safety
17.1. All jewellery and watches should be removed.
17.2. Fingernails should be trimmed.
17.3. Any player that experiences a loss of blood will need to clear or remove the blood in order to return to the game.
Field Dimensions
18.1. A regulation X-League field will have a width of 40 metres and a length of 60 metres. Different dimensions can be played but must be agreed by all parties before commencement of games – this may also impact team composition.
Playing Kit
19.1. When playing in an informal setting, Uniforms are unnecessary, although it is advisable to have 2 different colours to help differentiate teammates.
19.2. In a more formal, competition setting, Teams are to be in the same colour jerseys/shirts. Which should, if possible, be badged with a X-League logo and/or local competition badge and jerseys should be numbered.
Team Composition
20.1. Men’s and Women’s X-League should ideally have 7 people on the field; plus up to 6 reserves (13 players total).
20.2. Mixed: Whilst X-League can be played with mixed teams, all players need to be aware of the level of contact involved. If necessary rule 4.9 must be applied.
20.3. On field player numbers can be reduced if the field is considered small, and larger if the field is larger or participants numbers dictate. However, as per 16.2, it is recommended to try to keep the scale of the game the same as with the original rules.
Addendum.
Beach X-League Rules.
X-league rules have built in flexibility for player numbers and pitch dimensions. (see Rules 17 and 21 above) However, it has been decided that we will make some rules specifically for X-League to be played on a Beach.
1 Field Dimensions for Beach X-League are 30m x 30m.
2 Player numbers are 5 players per team (teams are allowed a maximum of 1 player on field who is using the 17.2 Alternative Tackle Rule.)
3 All defenders must retreat 4m from the tap or play-the-ball (i.e. No marker is allowed)
4 The game starts and re-starts with a tap, 5m from their own try line. (this means that there is no need to mark the halfway, but there is a need to mark both 5m lines)
5 Tackle sets consist of 5 tackles rather than 6. To keep the regular 6 count, and in particular the ‘Fifth and last’ call from the ref, a Tap, and, what would usually be a ‘zero tackle turnover’ becomes ‘Tackle 1’