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 onside 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 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 meters for the start of play
and after each touchdown. Duration of Game
Duration of the game can be varied to suit your local circumstances.
Size of the Field
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
Teams can consist of up to a maximum of 10/12 players, 6 on
the field at anyone time, it is suggested that teams of
between
6 and 10/12 helps to encourage maximum involvement and activity.
Method of Scoring
A touchdown (worth 1 point) is awarded when an attacking player
places the ball on the ground, on or over the defending teams
scoreline; after a team scores, the play begins again with
a tap in the middle of the field by the non scoring team. The person who takes the role of dummy half can cross the try-line
but not score. 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 Rollball without
delay. After being touched 6 times the ball is handed over to the other
side. If a touch is considered to be too strong a penalty will be
awarded against the offending team. The dummy half (the person who receives the ball from the player
starting the game) is not allowed to be caught while 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 Rollball The Rollball
The Rollball is affected by the attacking player positioning
on the mark, facing the defenders scoreline, standing parallel
to the sidelines, and rolling the ball backwards along the
ground between their feet. If the ball is rolled more than
1 meter a penalty will be awarded to the opposition. Voluntary Rollball
Vountary Rollball is when the player is not touched and rolls
the ball between their legs, this is not allowed and will result
in a penalty to the opposition. The Penalty
If someone is penalised their team must retreat 10 meters. A penalty is taken by placing the ball on the ground, letting
go of the ball, touching the ball with your foot and picking
up the ball. Passing
A forward Pass is when the ball is passed in front of the player
who possessed the ball. In this situation the ruling will be
a penalty.
A Touch and Pass is when the person who is touched then passes
the ball. Again the ruling will be a penalty. Offside
An attacking player is offside when that player is forward of
another attacking player who has possession or who last had
possession of the ball. A defending player is offside when that player has not retreated
the required 5 meters (Rollball) or 10 meters (Penalty and restart
of play after touchdowns) at recommencement of play. For all offside incidents the opposition will be awarded a penalty.
Over Stepping or Off the Mark
Occurs when the player who has been touched goes past the point
where they were touched. In this case a penalty will be awarded
to the opposition
Ball to Ground
When the ball goes to ground for any reason, possession changes
and the game is recommenced with a Rollball.
Shepherding or Obstruction
Will result in a penalty being awarded to the opposition
Deviation
Happens at recommencement of play when a defender does not retreat
straight back 5 meters to an on-side position and thereby obstructs
the attacking player. This will result in a penalty being awarded
to the opposition.
Minor offences
Bickering with refs, shouldering, leg trips etc... the referee
will initiate an automatic substitute between the offending
player and another team player in the sub box.
Repeated offences
For repeated offences the referee will yellowcard the player
and have that player move to the sin bin for a period of five
minutes without replacement (sin bin - oppositions deadball
line).
Foul play of any nature (the referee being the sole judge)
Will result in the offending player being sent from the field
without replacement.
PRINCIPLES OF PLAY:
In Attack
The aim of the game is to score more touchdowns than the opposition;
this is achieved by advancing towards the try line. At times
it can be tactically advantageous to move towards the sideline
to enable more room for further attacking plays
In Defence
When defending try to deny your opponents time and space by moving
forward and making the touch. The faster you move up on the
attacking team the less advancement toward your try line they
will make.
Support the Ball Carrier at all Times
Close support of the ball carrier allows more options in attack
and means possession can be maintained. Close support also
means no ground needs to be lost by having to pass the ball
a long way backwards to a team-mate. Remember a pass directly
sideways is allowed and can often be the most effective pass
Interchange players as much as possible
A fresh set of legs on the field can be the difference between
winning and losing. Look to interchange your players while
on attack and in the area of the interchange box. Once you
have made a touchdown it is good to get a whole new set of
players out there to keep up the intensity.
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