Touch Basics

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 is varied to suit your local circumstances, as a guide your game will consist of either 2x 10, 2x 15 or 2x 20 minute halves.

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 14 players, 6 on the field at anyone time, it is suggested that teams of between 8 and 10 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 acting 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 acting 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 acting 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.

Source: www.touchrugby.co.uk