Touch Rugby

About Touch Rugby Touch rugby is a non contact form of rugby. It has many different variations depending on what part of the world you are playing in. There may also be “house rules” where people agree to rule variations. It is officiated by a referee in competitions, but it is generally self refereed.

Normally played on a half a rugby field 60mx 50m

Numbers per side Touch rugby can be played with as few as 3 per side or as many as 15. The best number is around 8 per side.

The object of the game To place the ball over the oppositions try line. This is a try and counts as one point (there are no conversions). (In real rugby a try is work 5 points and the scoring team gets a opportunity to convert the try by kicking the ball through the posts. A conversion is worth 2 points.)

How to start the game The game starts with a tap and a pass (the tap is off the foot) from the centre of the field. Some variations of the game have one team drop kick the ball to the other team.

Passing back wards When passing the ball the it must go backwards (down field of the way you attacking). Passes maybe exactly lateral. If the pass is forward then it is a turn over from where the pass occurred. The opposition starts with a tap and a pass. The defending team must get back 5 metres.

Knock On If you drop the ball it is a turn over. (in real rugby it is only considered a knock-on if you drop the ball and it lands forward.) Therefore, an incomplete pass is a turnover. The opposition starts with a tap and a pass from where the knock on occurred.

How to defend The defence stops the opposition by touching the ball carrier (most rules call for a two handed touch, but some competitions only need one hand). If the ball carrier is touched they are to put the ball down immediately where the touch occurred. (They may need to back up if they were running fast) The defensive line must line up in front of the ball carrier (in official touch rugby games the defensive lines have to line up 5 metres back). The defensive line can only move forward once the attacking team picks the ball up. If the defense is not back adequately they are offside and this is considered a penalty.

Defence continues The defensive team cannot deliberately slap the ball down. This is considered a penalty. Minimal contact is allowed. A touch should not be a push or a slap. The attacking team cannot obstruct or block the defending team from touching the ball carrier.

Penalties If a penalty occurs, the offending team must get back 5 metres of the offence. The game starts again with a tap and a pass

Number of touches Some rules play unlitmited touches, but often a team is only allowed 6 touches before the ball is turned over.

Other rule variations The player who picks the ball up after a touch is called the scrum half. There are some rule variations were the scrum half cannot get touched. There are others whereby the scrum half cannot score.

Positions. Generally, you want the best ball handlers in the middle making passes. You want your fastest players out wide on the wing where there is more space.