ABREVIATED TOUCH RUGBY PLAYING LAWS

1
ABREVIATED TOUCH RUGBY PLAYING LAWS
2
FIELD OF PLAY

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

3
Duration

• The duration of the game consists of two 20
  minute halves.
• Playing periods are split by a one minute half
  time break

4
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

5
Scoring

• A try is scored by grounding the ball on or over
  the tryline.
• A try is worth one point in mens, womens and
  mixed leagues

6
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

7
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

8
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

9
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

10
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.

11
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.

12
Defender Requirements

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

13
Infringements and Fouls

• The following infringements will result in a
  penalty
• tap, 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

14
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

15
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

16
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

17
Enjoy Your Game