Thanks for having me, and thanks for the reply.
The law around the free pass (used to restart the game) is the same for U9’s & U10’s other than 5.a.ix only apples to U10’s:
5. Free Passes:
a) A free pass is awarded:
i. To start the match at the beginning of each half and following a score, from the centre of the pitch.
ii. After the ball or ball carrier has gone into touch. The free pass is 5 metres from touch, level with where the ball or ball carrier went into touch.
iii. Where there is offside and no advantage.
iv. Where a fend-off or hand-off has been used.
v. When there has been an infringement.
vi. Once forward momentum has been stopped and the ball has not been played away from the contact area - tackle, maul or ruck.
vii. When the tackler makes contact above the armpit.
viii. When a team contests, pushes or strikes for the ball in the scrum.
ix. In the event that a ball carrier uses the “Squeezeball” technique.
Note: Squeezeball” is a technique where the ball carrier goes to ground, head forward (touching or close to the ground), irrespective of immediate contact with opponents, usually keeping parallel to the touchline, holding and protecting the ball close to the chest and, when on the ground, pushing the ball back between the legs.
b) At a free pass, the opposition must be 7 metres back from the mark. At a free pass, the passer must start with the ball in both hands and, when the referee calls “Play”, pass the ball backwards through the air to a member of their team. For safety reasons, no player from either team may run until the pass is made.
For context we were pinged for doing this at the weekend, mostly because of the opposition coaches shouting at the fairly young referee.