OUTDATED, please note that the overtime policy has been updated as of March 2023. View current policy: https://texasrugbyunion.com/updated-overtime-policy/.
USA Rugby Knock-out Competition Extra Time Policy
Approved by the Rugby Committee (03/24/10)
USA RUGBY KNOCKOUT COMPETITION EXTRA TIME PROVISIONS
In the event a match is not decided in regulation time in knock-out competition, the following protocol will be followed to reach a match decision. There will be an extra time of twenty minutes divided into two ten minute periods. If the match is not decided at the end of the twenty minute period, ten minute sudden victory (also known as sudden death) periods will ensue until the match is decided.
A sudden victory is achieved through any score: in overtime periods after the first two overtime periods, the match is decided and ends with any score. After each period of play, there will be water/rest breaks of two minutes, except after each forty minutes of Extra Time Play, there will be a five minute water/rest break.
Extra time periods and breaks will be conducted accordingly to the following schedule:
1. Match is not decided in regulation time (ends in a “tie” score).
2. Five minute water break immediately following full time. Referee and captains conduct a coin toss to determine direction and kicking team.
3. 10 minute period beginning with kick off (OT#1)
4. 2 minute break – teams switch directions
5. 10 minute period beginning with kick off (OT#2)
6. Match is still not decided (period ends in “tie” score) – two minute water break – teams switch directions
7. 10 minute SUDDEN VICTORY period beginning with kick off (OT#3)
8. Match is still not decided (period ends in “tie” score) – two minute water break – teams switch directions
9. 10 minute SUDDEN VICTORY period beginning with kick off (OT#4)
10. Match is still not decided (period ends in “tie” score) – five minute water break – teams switch directions
11. 10 minute SUDDEN VICTORY period beginning with kick off (OT#5)
12. Match is still not decided (period ends in “tie” score) – two minute water break – teams switch directions
13. 10 minute SUDDEN VICTORY period beginning with kick off (OT#6)
14. Match is still not decided (period ends in “tie” score) – two minute water break – teams switch directions
15. Repeat steps 7 – 14 until match is decided
Extra time Substitution and Replacements – Team substitutions are limited by the same eight substitute proscription provided by law and local practice in effect in regulation time.
USA RUGBY AGE GRADE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION EXTRA TIME PROVISIONS
Total playing time for Age Grade Rugby in the United States is governed by the iRB Under 19 Variations for the Laws of the Game and by the USA Rugby Guidelines for Non-contact Rugby.
Under 19 Variation
The Under 19 variations provide for two 35 minute halves and total playing time of 70 minutes. The rules governing the IRB Under 19 World Championship provide for matches to be decided first by try differential and then by a penalty shoot-out. Accordingly, the extra time protocol for Under 19 competitions will be as follows:
1. Match is not decided in regulation time (ends in a “tie” score), the team with the greater number of tries will be declared the winner.
2. If the match is still not decided (teams have equal number of tries), the team with the greater number of converted tries will be declared the winner.
3. If the match is still not decided (teams have equal number of converted tries), the winner will be determined by a penalty shoot-out between the two teams to take place as follows:
i) The kicks at goal should be part of the match and be the responsibility of the referee. The touch judges and match commissioner may help the referee. Before the kicks at goals, the two captains shall toss a coin to decide which goal posts and toss again to decide who will kick first. The match commissioner may move the penalty shoot-out to another field if necessary to the competition schedule.
ii) The first series will consist of five placed kicks taken on the 22 meter line in front of the posts.
The kicks at goal will be taken, for each Team, by each of the five players, nominated by the Captains, who were on the field of play at the end of that match. In the event of an injury, a player initially nominated to kick, may be replaced however his replacement shall be a player who was on the field of play at the end of that match.
The five players shall take it in turns to kick at goal. Teams will alternate: Team A, Team B, Team A, Team B, etc.
iii) In the event of a tie after the first series of kicks at goal, additional kicks shall be taken, still from the 22 meter line in front of the posts, alternatively by each Team, until one Team has an advantage for the same number of kicks taken.
iv) Each of these additional kicks shall be taken by a different player who did not participate in the first series of kicks.
4. For a Final Match still not decided after #2 (teams have equal number of converted tries), then both finalists shall become joint cup holders
Non-contact Variation
The USA Rugby guidelines for Non-contact Rugby provide for four 10 minute periods and a total playing time of 40 minutes. Accordingly, the extra time protocol for USA Rugby Non-contact Rugby competitions will be:
1. Match is not decided in regulation time (ends in a “tie” score), the team with the greater number of tries will be declared the winner.
2. If the match is still not decided (teams have equal number of tries), the team with the greater number of converted tries will be declared the winner.
3. If the match is still not decided (teams have equal number of converted tries), the winner will be determined by a toss of a coin.