Touch is a minimal contact form of rugby, played by both men and women of all ages.
Touch has similarities to rugby, where tackling has been replaced with a simple touch, and there is no kicking of the ball, scrums, lineouts rucks or mauls. Points are scored by making a touchdown (like scoring a try in rugby).
This leads to a very fast game of running and passing.
Touch Germany have published a simple 'Touch for Dummies' guide (PDF).
And the Federation of International Touch has a selection of online videos
A normal game of touch has 6 players on field from each team of up to 14 players with substitutions allowed at any time.
Variations on this include indoor touch, and beach touch (where the attacking team fields 3 players against 2 defenders on a smaller pitch)
Equipment
As Touch is a minimal contact sport, no protective equipment is required.
Studded boots are useful - especially when playing in wet conditions - as the sport is mainly played on grass. However, metal studs, or removable studs are not permitted for safety reasons, so make sure that your boots have moulded plastic studs.
Basic Rules
The full FIT rulebook is available as a PDF, but here are some of the basics:
- The game is 30 minutes long consisting of 2 x 15 minute halves and a 1 minute half-time break.
- The object is to score more tries than the other team. A team in possession may score a try by placing the ball on or over the try-line, prior to or without being touched.
- The referee will effect a toss of a coin with both captains. The winning team will have first possession of the ball and choice of direction they wish to run.
- The game is commenced by the team winning the toss performing a Tap.
- After a try is scored, the game is recommenced by the non-scoring team at the centre of the halfway line (similar to the game commencement).
- If a touch is effected on a player in possession, that player must return to the mark and perform a rollball.
- The rollball must be taken on the mark (where the touch was made), without delay.
- The player performing the rollball must stand parallel to the sidelines, roll the ball no more than 1m (between the legs) or step over it.
- A team retains possession until 6 touches have been made or an infringement causes the ball to be handed over to the opposition.
- The touch count is re-started if the ball is deliberately touched in play, but not retained by a defender.
- The defending team may move forward to effect a touch as soon as the dummy-half touches the ball, or as soon as the ball is placed on the ground if there is no dummy-half.
- All defending players must retire more than 5m in line with the mark of touch. The defending team cannot move forward until play restarts, nor interfere with play whilst retreating. A restart occurs the moment the ball is tapped or the dummy-half touches the ball at the roll ball. If there is no dummy-half in position (within 1m of the mark) defenders may advance from an onside position.
- When a rollball is taken within 5m of the try-line the defending players must retreat with both feet to behind their try-line before they can make the touch.
- A penalty is awarded for a number of infringements. When a penalty is awarded, the referee will advance 10m from where the infringement occurred. The referee must give the exact mark from where the tap ball must be taken. The defending team must retire 10m from the mark or behind the try-line.
- No obstruction, excessive contact, verbal abuse or foul play will be tolerated - the referee is sole judge. A penalty will be awarded in such cases and a player can receive up to 5 minutes in the SIN BIN without replacement. Serious or continual foul play of any nature will result in the player being sent off without replacement.
