Touch Rugby Laws

Touch Rugby Laws Abbreviated Form

1. The teams shall consist of 6 players on the field of and subs who can interchange at any time during the match.

2. A Try (worth 1 point) is scored when a player with the ball places it on the ground in the opposition touchdown zone.

3. The Dummy Half cannot score a try but he can cross the opponent's try line and then pass to another team member who can then score the try. If the dummy half is touched in possession over the try line before passing, his team will lose possession.

4. After a try has been scored the game will recommence with a tap from the middle of half way.

5. The defending team must be 10 metres from the player taking the tap at half way. The player taking the tap can run and be touched. The touch count will then be "one". From then on, the dummy half must receive the ball from a rollback. (As in rugby league - the ball being placed on the ground, and either walked over or gently heeled back.)

6. The Dummy Half can run with the ball but if he is touched, his side then lose possession.

7. A rollback can take place within 5 metres of the defender's try line, but the player with the ball can go back to 5 m from the try line if he wishes to. (This can create space for attacking moves as the defenders are not allowed to stay on the Try Line but must leave it once the ball is played – even at a walk – penalty to be given for repeated infringement).

8. The rollback must not travel more than one metre from the player performing the rollback. (Turnover penalty)

9. A touch is defined where 1 hand contact is made by a defending player on any part of the attacking player's body or clothing. A touch of the ball carried by the attacking player is also deemed a touch. A deliberate ankle tap is illegal, and will be penalised unless it is in a one on one chase for the Try Line and it is the act of a diving lunge by the last defender to stop a try. The direction of the hand must be downwards rather than sideways.

10. A knock on constitutes the ball being dropped or knocked to the ground in any direction. When this occurs the ball is dead, and possession goes to the team not responsible for the infringement.

11. A deliberate knock down by the defending player results in the touch count returning to 0.

12. “Touch and Pass” occurs if a player passes the ball after a legitimate touch has been made. A penalty will result.

13. Intercepts are allowed provided the players were on side at the roll ball and the ball has not touched the ground.

14. Defending players must be 5 metres back from the rollball. If not the referee has the option of penalising, or to play on if the attacking team can gain an advantage. The defending team cannot move forward of the 5 metre line until the ball has been played by the dummy half not the roller. The attacking dummy half has a maximum of 3 seconds to play the ball or lose possession.

15. If a player runs into touch, or passes forward, possession goes to the defending team.

16. Retiring players must not interfere with play whilst returning on side.

17. A team can only replace or sub players from their 'sub box' area either side of half way. The retiring player must touch hands with the sub on the sideline before entering the field of play. After a try has been scored, substitutes do not have to touch hands, just run on provided there are only 6 players on the field at the restart of play.

18. Foul play of a severe nature will result in the player being sent off (the referee being sole judge of fact and time) without replacement for the rest of the match. Suspension of said player may occur at Referee and Co-ordinator’s discretion.

19. For other offences (eg. bickering with the ref, leg trips, shouldering) the offending player will be sin binned (sent behind Try Scoring Zone) for a period of not more than 5 minutes without replacement. Further foul play will result in the player being sent off.

20. The Referee can also instruct a player to be subbed as an alternative to a ‘Sin Bin’ so the player and not the team is penalised.

21. Penalty Offences 1. Touch and pass

2. ‘Travelling’ i.e. playing the ball beyond the place where he was touched, or ball travelling more than 1 metre from the Rollback.

3. Deliberate Knock on

4. Foul/ Rough play or dissent

5. Off side

All penalty offences will lead to the ball being turned over to the opposition and a tap penalty being awarded.

The ball must be passed to the opposition in a polite and fair manner that does not infringe their right to play the ball quickly, should they so choose. Infringement here can lead to a 5 metre penalty or even a ‘Sin Bin’ at the Referees discretion.

Honesty is the key when calling for “touches”. If a player feels they have genuinely tagged an opponent then call it (“Touch” or “Yes” is fine), try not to pre-empt the call and instantly withdraw the call (“No”) if a mistake is made. Players repeatedly judged to be cheating in this area may be required by the Referee to be substituted or even “Sin Binned”.

All Referee rulings are final and not open to dispute. Remember Touch Rugby is a fast paced game, Referees will be impartial and try to give the best rulings as they see them.