SIMPLIFIED RULES OF TOUCH
1 Scoring
A touchdown will be awarded when a player places the ball on or over the score line prior to being touched. A touchdown will be worth one point, except in mixed grades where females score two (2) points. The Dummy Half is not permitted to score touchdowns (refer No. 10).
2 Substitution Box
Teams may interchange players at any time. Players coming on to the field may not do so until the player being replaced has come off. Substitutions must occur at or within the team’s substitution box.
3 Possession
A change of possession shall occur:
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· after the 6th touch;
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· when the dummy half is touched while in possession (refer No. 10);
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· after an incorrect roll ball (refer No. 7);
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· when the ball goes to ground;
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· when a player in possession steps out of the field of play (refer No. 14);
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· whenever the referee indicates.
Play is restarted with a roll ball at a change of possession.
4 Passing
A player may pass, knock, throw or otherwise deliver the ball to any on side player in the attacking team. Passing forward is NOT permitted.
5 The Tap
The tap is taken by placing the ball on the ground on the mark, releasing the ball from both hands, tapping the ball with the foot a distance of not more than one meter and retrieving it clearly. Any player from the attacking team may take the tap.
6 The Penalty
A player/team will be penalised when they infringe rules. When a player/team is penalised the opposing team shall restart play with a tap. The defending team must retire ten metres from the mark until the ball is tapped.
7 Roll ball
A means of restarting play. Players must perform the roll ball on the mark while facing their opponent’s defending score line by rolling the ball backwards between their legs a distance of not more than one meter. Players must not delay performing the roll ball.
8 The Touch
Players from both teams are permitted to effect the touch. A touch constitute contact with any part of the body, ball, clothing or hair. A minimum of force is to be used at all times. The team in possession is entitled to 6 touches.
9 Touch and Pass
A player is not to pass the ball after a touch has been made.
10 The Dummy Half
The dummy half is the person who picks up the ball after a team-mate has performed a roll ball.
11 Offside/On side
After a touch has been made all defending players must retire 5 metres from the mark. Defenders cannot move up until the dummy half has touched the ball.
12 Sideline
If a player with the ball touches or crosses the sideline s/he is deemed to be out of play and a change of possession occurs. Play restarts with a roll ball 5 metres in from when the player went out. If a touch is made before the player goes out, then the touch counts.
13 Obstruction
Players of the attacking team are not to obstruct defending players from attempting to effect a touch. Defending players are not to obstruct/interfere with attacking players supporting the ball carrier.
14 The Field of Play
The field is 70m long (score line to score line) and 50m wide. Substitution boxes measuring 20m x 5m shall be situated on both sides of the field. The Touchdown zone is the area beyond the score line.
15 Team Composition
A team may consist of up to 14 players. A maximum of 6 are allowed on the field at any one time.
16 The Toss
The captain winning the toss shall receive possession of the ball and a choice of direction and substitution box. The Referee will supervise the toss.
17 Duration
The game shall be 15 minutes each way with a 1 minute break at half time. Organisers may alter the duration of games to suit particular requirements.
18 Player Attire
All team members must be correctly attired in team uniforms. Footwear with moulded soles are permitted. Bare feet, spikes and footwear with screw-in studs are not permitted. Players are not to wear any item of jewellery that might be dangerous. High uniform standards are required & the referees will be strictly enforcing this.
19 The Referee
The referee is the sole judge on matters of fact and is required to adjudicate on the rules of the game during play. The referee may impose any sanction necessary to control the game. All officials, players and coaches involved in the game are under the control of the referee.
20 Foul Play will not be Tolerated
Any foul play (the referee being the sole judge) will result in the offending player being penalised, sent to the sin bin for up to 5 minutes, or being sent from the field for the remainder of the match, depending on the severity of the offence.