ABREVIATED TOUCH RUGBY PLAYING LAWS

FIELD OF PLAY

• The field of play is 70m X 50m with touchdown zones (in-goal areas) of 5-10m in depth.

Duration

• The duration of the game consists of two 20 minute halves.

• Playing periods are split by a one minute half time break

Players and Substitutions

• Six players are allowed on the field at any one time with any amount of reserves on the sideline,

• Reserves can be continually substituted at any time from the interchange box,

• Substituting players must tag each other beyond the sideline

Scoring

• A try is scored by grounding the ball on or over the tryline.

• A try is worth one point in men’s, women’s and mixed leagues

Starts and Re-starts

• Each half is started with a tap at the centre of the playing field. This is performed by touching the ball on the ground with the foot, free from the hands, and then picking it up.

• The non-scoring team will re-start the game in the same manner after a try has been scored

• The defending team must retreat at least 10m

Touch

• A legal touch is on any part of the body, clothing or ball.

• A defender must call “Touch” when claiming a touch.

• The referee is the sole judge and shall either call the “Touch” or over-rule and give “play on”

• An attacking player may affect the touch by deliberately touching the opposition

Rollball

• When effectively touched, the player in possession must return to the point of the touch and perform a Rollball.

• A Rollball is affected by placing the ball on the floor at the point of the touch, and stepping over the ball, controlled by either hand or foot.

• The ball may not roll more than a metre.• No player may perform a Rollball without an

affective touch being made

Attacker Requirements

• The player picking up the ball from the Rollball is the “dummy half” and may run with the ball, although if touched, a Rollball turnover is awarded.

• The dummy half may not score unless having already passed the ball

• After six successful touches, the attacking team will turnover possession, starting with a Rollball

Attacker Requirements

• If an attacker is touched by an offside defender, play is allowed to continue. If there is no great advantage, a penalty tap will be taken at the point of the offside touch.

• If a touch is effected within 5 metres of the try line, the attacking player has the right to take the ball back to the 5m line and take the Rollball there.

Defender Requirements

• All defending players must retreat at least 5m in line with a rollball, and may not advance until the ball is touched by the dummyhalf.

• If there is no dummy half in position (within 1m of the Rollball), defenders may advance providing they were onside at the time of the Rollball.

Defender Requirements

• Defenders must have both feet on or behind the line of those of the referee.

Infringements and Fouls

The following infringements will result in a penaltytap, with the defending team retiring at least 10m• Forward pass• Offside• Claiming touch when not made• Rollball off the mark• Interfering with the Rollball (defender)• Delaying the Rollball (attacker)• Passing after effectively touched• Obstruction or interference with defence

Attacker Requirements

• If a player is touched in the touchdown zone before grounding the ball, the touch is counted and play is re-started on the 5m line.

• If the touch was the sixth of the set, a Rollball turnover is effected on the 5m line

• An attacking player may dive in attempting to score a try

Infringements and Fouls

The following infringements and points of

play will result in a Rollball turnover, with

defenders retiring at least 5m

• Knock-on (deliberate or accidental)

• Unsuccessful intercept

• Six touches effected

• Ball over sideline

Infringements and Fouls

• The referee is the sole judge.• Excessive contact will not be tolerated,

and will result in a penalty.• Players can receive a 2 minute sin-bin

period for excessive contact, verbal abuse or foul play

• Serious or continual foul play can result in a player being sent off for the remainder of the game with no replacement

Enjoy Your Game