Rules

The rules are based on the EGOR Guidelines.

Age

All participants must be aged 35 and above.

Scrums

Scrums are uncontested. All forwards must remain bound until the ball has been cleared. Scrum halves may follow the ball around the scrum, as may the number eight.

Line-outs

All forwards must take part. Lifting of jumpers is not permitted and a quick throw is not allowed.

Rucks

Clearing out players not in possession of the ball is not permitted.

Counter-rucking is not permitted. Once the ball is in the ruck, it is played by the team that brought it into the ruck.

Kicking

Defending players may kick the ball from within their 22; no other kicking is permitted apart from starts and restarts. Free kicks and penalty kicks are exceptions.

There are no conversion kicks after a try is scored.

Kicking outside the 22 is penalised by a scrum.

For offences such as offside, a penalty kick is awarded and it may be kicked to touch from outside the 22 as well.

A penalty kick must not be taken quickly: wait for the referee's signal.

Restarts

After a score, the scoring team restarts by kicking to their opponents.

Substitutions

Substitutions are unlimited and replaced players may return to the field.

Match time

Games are played over one 12-minute period. The break between games is 5 minutes.

Other

Players must observe the offside rule, particularly remaining behind the hindmost foot at rucks, mauls and scrums; at line-outs at least 10 metres.

Captains are responsible for the behaviour of their players.

A player shown a yellow card leaves the pitch until the end of the match. His team may replace him and continue with 15 players.

Players must not wear metal or aluminium studs. Only plastic, moulded or rubber studs are allowed.

The captains may agree to modify (allow) rules for their own match before it starts.

Artificial grass

One pitch is new artificial grass, the second is a grass pitch. On artificial grass, football boots (turfs) are ideal; studs only if cylindrical. Conical studs are forbidden.

Golden Oldies tackling restrictions

All players must observe the restrictions on tackling players wearing coloured shorts, i.e. red, gold or purple.

Gold shorts (age 65–74): a player in gold shorts must not be tackled or held, but may be touched, and opponents may stand in front of him. In both cases the player is deemed tackled and must pass the ball, and must be allowed to do so.

Purple shorts (age 75 and over): a player in purple shorts must not be impeded in any way and has unlimited freedom of action. He must pass the ball after 20 steps.

Old Prague Ham Organising Committee