The sport of Touch began in the 1950′s and 1960′s as a training technique for Rugby League teams in Australia. The first official touch games were played in South Sydney in 1968 and a club was started that same year. The sport of Touch in New Zealand formed its first organized structure in 1975 with the initial competition being run in the Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Touch within New Zealand became a recognized sport with the establishment of Touch New Zealand in May 1986.
Analysis of the sport has highlighted that people play Touch at social and competitive levels from age 5 to 55 plus. It spans across all areas of the community and is not limited by culture, ethnic background or financial status. Touch is recognized, as a sport that is easy to coach, is non-contact, can be readily adapted to any environment, is cheap to play and acknowledges male and females as equals in their ability to compete against one another.
Simple Rules of Touch
Scoring
A touchdown will be awarded when a player places the ball on or over the scoreline prior to being touched. A touchdown will be worth one point. The Dummy Half is not permitted to score touchdowns.
Possession of the Ball
A change of possession shall occur when:
* the ball goes to ground.
* the Dummy half is touched while in possession.
* the Dummy half places the ball in the Touchdown zone.
* the 6th Touch occurs.
* the player in possession steps on or over the boundary of the field of play.
* a rollball is performed incorrectly.
* a tap is performed incorrectly.
At a change of possession play is restarted with a rollball.
Passing
A player may pass, knock, throw or otherwise deliver the ball to any onside player in the attacking team. Passing forward is NOT permitted.
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 metre and retrieving the ball cleanly. Any player from the attacking team may take the tap.
The Penalty
When a player/team is penalised the non offending team shall restart play with a tap. The tap is taken at the mark and the defending team must retire ten metres from the mark until the ball has been tapped.
Play restarts with a tap when the following infringements occur;
* Forward Pass
* Touch and Pass
* Rollball performed off the mark
* Performing a rollball prior to a touch being made
* Defenders offside at the rollball (5 metres)
* Defenders offside at the tap (10 metres)
* Deliberately delaying play
* More than six players on the field
* Incorrect substitution
* Falsely claiming a touch
* Using more than the minimum force to make a touch
* Misconduct
Rollball
A means of restarting play. Players must perform the rollball on the mark while facing their opponent’s defending scoreline and rolling the ball backwards between their legs a distance of not more than one metre. Players must not delay performing the rollball.
The Touch
Players from both teams are permitted to effect the touch. A touch is 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.
Touch and Pass
A player is not to pass the ball after a touch has been made.
The Dummy Half
The dummy half is the person who picks up the ball after a team-mate has performed a rollball.
Offside/Onside
After a touch has been made all defending players must retire 5 metres from the mark. Defenders cannot move forward until the dummy half has touched the ball.
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 rollball 5 metres in from where the player went out. If a touch is made before the player goes out, the touch counts.
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.
