What is Touch Rugby?
Touch Rugby, better off known as Touch Football or Touch Footy, is a sport that was derived from Rugby League back in Australia in the 70's. Since then the sport has now become a world wide recognised SPORT and is run by the Federation Of International Touch. (FIT) There are over 1.7 Million registered players world wide from the ages of 6 to 76.
Touch has various playing levels, accommodating from the social aspect all the way to international tournaments. Many countries around the world have multiple leagues for multiple divisions. Ranging from Juniors (6-12), High School (13-17), Opens (18+), Seniors (30+) and Masters (Over 40's).
The main reasons behind Touch Footy becoming so popular world wide are:
* Its for both genders male and female
* Skill levels can vary from begginers to professional rugby league and union players
* Fitness levels can vary from your social get together, to an international playing / training multiple times per week
What are the rules?
1) Touch is played on a field with the official sizing dimensions of 70mtrs long x 50mtrs wide. These dimensions of course can be altered depending on the environment and number of players.
2) The object of the game is similar to Rugby and Rugby league where you must score more points than the opposition
3) Points are obtained by placing the ball down in the score zone. This is called a "score" or a "try"
4) Similar to Rugby and Rugby league, the defence must prevent the attacking team by scoring, but instead of making a tackle, the defender will make a "touch" with one of their hands.
5) Each team will have the opportunity of scoring but within 6 "touches". After the 6th attempt, the attacking side will turn over the ball to their opposition and now the opposition will have 6 touches to make it down the other end of the field to score.
6) Similar to Rugby League, after each touch is performed, all players in the defending side, must retreat back 5-7mtrs with the referree, before they can engage in any way for the next touch
7) A touch game will consists of 2 halves, the timing of these two halves, can be altered to fit with the environment. (Number of players, the size of the field etc..etc..) But for international tournaments, each half consists of 20 minutes each
8) When the attacking team has the ball, you must pass the ball at least once during every touch or it will be a turnover of posession.
9) After a touch is made by the defending team, the attacking must place the ball on the ground and step over the ball, then play can resume for the attacking team
Links for examples of games
