The Basics
Summary of the Rules UNDERSTANDING THE GAME
Object of the game:
The object of the game is for each team to score 'touchdowns' and to prevent the opposition from scoring. The ball may be passed, knocked or handed between on-side players of the attacking team, who may in turn, run or otherwise move with the ball in an attempt to gain territorial advantage and score. Defending players prevent the attacking team from gaining a territorial advantage by touching the ball carrier. Either defending or attacking players may initiate the touch.
Start of the game:
The team that wins the coin toss chooses the direction of play and must start with a 'tap' from the middle of the field. The defending team must be back 10 metres for the start of play and after each touchdown.
Duration of the game:
The duration of the game will depend on the number of teams playing on any given evening. But as a guide 2 x 5-minute halves will be a minimum.
Size of the field:
The size of the field can vary, but the game will generally be played on half a rugby field (playing across the field). Posts are not required to play Touch Rugby.
Number of players:
Squads can consist of up to a maximum of 10 players, with a playing team of seven on the field at anyone time.
Method of scoring:
A touchdown is awarded when an attacking player places the ball on the ground, on or over the defending team's scoreline. A touchdown is worth 1 point. The person who takes the role of 'dummy half ' (the person who receives the ball from the player starting the game) can cross the try-line, but not score. After a team scores, the play begins again with a tap in the middle of the field by the non-scoring team.
THE BASICS
The Touch
Players of both defending and attacking teams are to use the minimum force necessary to affect the touch. A 'touch' can be made on any part of the person, their clothing or the ball. After a touch has been affected, the player in possession is required to stop, return to the mark where the touch occurred (if the mark has been over run), and perform a 'Roll-ball' immediately. After being touched 6 times, the ball is handed over to the other team. If a touch is considered too strong, a penalty will be awarded against the offending team.
The Roll ball
The attacking player who has been touched affects the roll ball. They position themselves on the mark, facing the defenders' score line, standing parallel to the sideline and roll the ball backwards along the ground between their feet. If the ball is rolled more than 1 metre a penalty will be awarded to the opposition. A 'voluntary roll ball' occurs when the player is not touched and rolls the ball between their legs. This is not permitted and will result in a penalty to the opposition. The most effective way to execute the roll ball is by placing the ball stationary on the ground, as it is easier to control a stationary object and therefore keep momentum of the forward movement.
The Penalty
If a player is penalised, their team must retreat 10 metres. A penalty is taken by placing the ball on the ground, letting go of the ball, touching the ball with the foot and picking up the ball. This is called the Tap Ball. The referee will make the defending team retreat 10m and 'The Tap' must take place at 'The Mark' as indicated by the referee.
Passing
The ball must be passed backwards or directly sideways at all times. A forward pass occurs when the ball is passed in front of the player, this will result in a penalty to the other team. A 'touch and pass' occurs when a person who is touched then passes the ball after the touch. This will again result in a penalty.
Offside
An attacking player is offside when that player is forward of another attacking player who either has possession or who last had possession of the ball. A defending player is offside when that player has not retreated 5 metres for a roll ball or 10 metres for a penalty or restart of play. For all offside infringements, the opposition will be awarded a penalty.
The side step and swerve
Touch rugby is an evasive game and players must use all their agility and athleticism to avoid the touch and indeed to make the touch. Therefore, the side step and the swerve are useful techniques to employ during a match. They can wrong foot an opponent and will often give you the extra space you need to dive in for a touch down.
The dummy half
The dummy half is the player who picks the ball up from the ground after the roll ball. It can be any of the players on the team in possession. The team without the ball cannot advance until the dummy half has touched the ball. The dummy half is not allowed to be caught whilst in possession of the ball. If the dummy half is caught with the ball, possession is handed over to the opposition who will recommence play with a roll-ball. Should the dummy half be in possession in the touchdown zone they are not allowed to score and would need to pass to a team mate to score a touchdown.
Defence dropping 10m
During a game of Touch, the defending team will have to retreat 10 metres, in a straight line, from the team with the ball. This occurs at the start of the game and after a penalty or tap ball. If the defending team concedes a penalty, the referee will insist they are back the full 10 metres and will call the players back until they are satisfied.
Defence dropping 5m
During a game of Touch, the defending team will frequently have to retreat 5 metres, in a straight line, from the team with the ball. This occurs after each touch and subsequent roll ball. With Touch being such a fast game, the defending players often do not have time to retreat the full 5 metres before the attackers have roll balled and continued. When this is the case the defenders must allow the attackers to run unimpeded for 5 metres before affecting the Touch. On all occasions, the referee will let the defenders know where the 5 metre point is and call them onside when they are satisfied.
Running with the ball (two hands)
To reduce the risk of accidentally dropping the ball, players must run with it in two hands. This is particularly important in Touch because the ball must be kept off the ground at all times, if the ball goes to ground; there is an immediate loss of possession and turnover to the opposition.
How to score a touchdown
A touchdown is the only way to score points in Touch, and each touchdown scores one point. The ball must be run over your opponents try line and touched firmly down. The referee will then confirm that a touchdown has been scored. It's important to note that the dummy half (the player who picks the ball up after a roll ball cannot score)
Rolling substitutions
Touch Rugby is a very fast and physically demanding sport, as a result, the rules allow for rolling substitutions. With a team consisting of seven, squads will often number around ten. Substitutions can and should be made as often and as frequently as possible, however ensure the player leaves the field completely before the replacement comes on.
SUMMARY OF RULES
- The attacking team must start with a tap from the middle of the field
- The defending team must be back 10m for the start of play, and after each touchdown
- After a team scores a touchdown the play begins again with a tap in the middle
- After being touched, the player touched must roll the ball on the ground between their legs
- If the dummy half is touched while possessing the ball it is a turnover with a ROLL BALL
- The attacking team continues play until they have had 6 touches or until a touchdown is scored
- The person who takes the role of dummy half can cross the touchdown line but not score
- After being touched 6 times the ball is handed over to the other side and play begins with a ROLL BALL
- After touching the attacking player with the ball, all defending team members must retreat 5m to be in line with the Referee
- When the ball is dropped on the ground it is a turnover and play begins with a ROLL BALL
- When the ball is thrown, dropped, knocked on etc then a turnover occurs and play begins with a ROLL BALL
- When someone is penalised their team must then retreat 10m NOTE - PENALTY TAP - Ball on the ground - release - touch the ball with your foot - pick up the ball
- If the defending players do not retreat 5m after a touch then they are Offside and a turnover occurs with a penalty tap
- If a touch is considered too strong then turnover occurs with a penalty tap
- When the ball is passed in front of the player receiving the ball it is deemed a Forward Pass and turnover occurs with a penalty tap
- If a player is touched and then releases the ball it is deemed a Touch and Pass and turnover occurs with a penalty tap
- If a player is not touched but then rolls the ball between their legs it is deemed a Voluntary Roll Ball or No Touch and turnover occurs with a penalty tap
- A player must roll the ball on the mark where the touch was made - if not the player is deemed Over the Mark and turnover occurs with a penalty tap
- If a player Shepherds another player, or Obstructs a touch from the defending side turnover occurs with a penalty tap
- For minor offences i.e. bickering with refs, shouldering, leg trips etc the player can either be sent off the field by Forced Substitution, or sent to the Sin Bin for a period of time
- If a player is sent from the field through Forced Substitution by the Referee, then another player is able to take the field in their place
- If a player is Sin Binned, then the team must continue with 5 players until the Referee allows the player to take the field again
- Foul play of any nature (the Referee being the sole judge) will result in the offending player being sent from the field without replacement