FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We understand that trying a new sport can sometimes be daunting. Regardless of your familiarity with the game, we know you will have some questions. This FAQ page is designed to help answer some of the most common questions.

Most importantly, it is designed by YOU! So if you don’t see an answer to a question you have, let us know using the form at the bottom and we will add it to the list!

Let’s start with what a typical calendar looks like…

ombac-wallabies-youth-rugby-calendar-graphic
  • Typically we practice Tuesdays & Thursdays. Location does change depending on the time of year so be sure to check back to our Location page for the most up to date details.

    Practice will typically start at 5pm and run to as late as 7pm depending on the age group.

  • Rugby is played in several different formats, primarily 15’s and 7’s.

    In the Winter and Spring season we play 15’s which at the top level dictates 15 players per team on the field at any one time. This number varies for younger age groups as does the field size. U8’s have 8, players, U10’s have 10 and U12’s have 12. But it is still referred to as “15’s”. We play two halves and most weekends, teams will play one longer league match each.

    In the Summer we shift to Sevens, which is also the Olympic format of the sport.

    Same size field, but 7 players per team and 7-minute halves, with each weekend being more of a tournament than a single league match.

    Sevens is fast paced, requires more effort, since you have less teammates to fall back on, but is great for open play and try scoring opportunities.

    For newcomers, Sevens is also a great starting point - since there are less players on the field, it is less chaotic and so players will find it helpful to see the mechanics of certain parts of the game in more clarity.

  • Firstly, it is important to understand that rugby, from the U10 level and up is a contact sport and there will always be inherent risks involved, in the same way there is in any other contact sport.

    The question is, how does the sport mitigate those risks and put players safety at the center of the game.

    Rugby is committed to keeping players as safe as possible, with a huge emphasis being put on safe technique, as well as an enforcement of the laws of the game which carry severe sanctions for unsafe play.

    Laws are continuously being updated with player welfare at the forefront, including new laws for 2025 regarding tackle height, and the elimination of the "Crocodile Roll".

    See 2025 Law Changes Here

  • Believe it or not, the lack of helmet and pads makes the game safer. There is undoubtedly an effect whereby the player(s) will put more thought into what they do, knowing that they don't have the pads or a helmet. This is reinforced by the strict laws surrounding tackle technique, do's and don'ts and player welfare.

    SoCal Youth Rugby mandates that all players wear mouthguards, while as a club, we mandate that all players up to and including the U14 level wear scrum caps.

  • Absolutely, and OMBAC has a long history of girls playing rugby through it's ranks!

    Girls play co-ed with the boys up to U14. After that, they can move to high school level U15 Girls.

    Following the success of our ambassador, Naya Tapper and the US Women's Sevens at the 2024 Olympics, and the natural interest that followed, OMBAC have committed to the creation of a High School dedicated girls team for the 2025 season.

    Check out our Girls Rugby page!

  • Yes, all OMBAC Wallaby coaches at bare minimum are USA Rugby Certified.

    Interested in coaching? Drop us a line!

  • After you have registered, equipment needs are minimal - all players must wear cleats and a mouthguard.

    Mouthguards are a SCYR mandated policy.

    Head gear or "scrum caps" are mandated by the club through U14.

    Football cleats are fine, although soccer cleats are optimal.

    We encourage you to check out our friends at World Rugby Shop for all of your rugby gear needs!

  • U8 - Size 3

    U10 - Size 3

    U12 - Size 4

    U14 - Size 4

    U16 - Size 5

    U18 - Size 5

  • The club keeps game jerseys and distributes on game day. These must be returned before leaving the game.

    The reason for this is because rugby uniforms, by virtue of the physical nature of the game, are of an extremely high quality and subsequently very expensive, so we keep the jerseys in an effort to keep costs lower.

  • No. Rugby is unique in the fact that unlike most American sports, the number will denote the position of the player and as such, cannot be personalized.

    1 - Loose-head Prop
    2 - Hooker
    3 - Tight-head Prop
    4 & 5 - Locks
    6 & 7 - Flankers
    8 - No. 8
    9. Scrum-Half
    10. Fly Half
    11. Left Wing
    12. Inside Center
    13. Outside Center
    14. Right Wing
    15. Full Back

    Check out this article for a more in depth look at the positions.

  • The season schedule is up on the Schedules page. In 2025, SCYR have introduced a policy that host clubs should have a schedule ready three weeks prior to the match.

    All details will be updated on the page and communicated via email.

  • The "Laws of the Game" can be found at World Rugby.
    Laws of the Game | World Rugby Laws

  • We always encourage players and families to watch as much as rugby as possible. Here are a few options:

    The Rugby Network - All USMLR (Free) and Gallagher Premiership Games (UK) (Subscription) as well as other international and college games

    FloRugby - The biggest selection of rugby, from international test matches, to Super Rugby Pacific (AUS & NZ) games and more.

    Peacock - Six Nations Championships and HSBC Sevens Series

    San Diego Legion - Our local MLR team who play at Snapdragon Stadium

  • The OMBAC Team Store is open via our friends at World Rugby Shop. Just click this specific link below!

    https://www.worldrugbyshop.com/collections/ombac-rugby?ref=uwyzjfou

    Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing everyone in OMBAC gear!


Don’t see answers to a question? Submit it here!