TOUCH RUGBY

The CSSC Barbarians takes very seriously its commitment to bring together players of all abilities, from all backgrounds and from both sexes. All this comes together well through our Touch Rugby section. Comparative newcomers to the game, we're in the process of learning the ropes and building on our experience of playing in the CSSC games in Loughborough with the aim of entering one of the London leagues and organising a regular competitive series of fixtures.

Want further info on the game and a breakdown on the rules? Try the England Touchrugby Association website (http://www.altigy.co.uk/~eta/) or the Federation of International Touch (http://www.internationaltouch.com.au/)

- Jeremy Stokes

(Touch Captain 07-08)

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What is Touchrugby?

The origins of touch rugby can be traced back to Australia in the 1960's where it was used as a warm up game for rugby games. The simplicity of this game is unique; all you need is a rugby ball, a space to play and a group of friends.

Touchrugby is a fast moving minimal contact evasive game that is played throughout the world by men and women of all ages and skill levels.

The game is similar to rugby but without the tackling, scrumming, rucking, mauling, lineouts and kicking.

This fast, simple and exciting game promotes the fundamental skills of running, handling, evasion and support play, whilst developing basis principles of attack and defence, without the fear of getting hurt.

Why Touchrugby?

Touchrugby is suitable for both beginners and experienced players. You can play in either men's, women's or mixed divisions.

Touchrugby is a minimal contact recreational sport that is about playing the game on the field and also the social atmosphere afterwards.

Touchrugby is a fun game for the local park or even the beach, it is easy to learn and a great way to get in shape

Touchrugby can also be used for simple dodging, chasing and warm-up activities.

Understanding the game -

Object of the Game
The object of the game is for each team to score touchdowns and to prevent the opposition from scoring

The ball may be passed, knocked or handed between onside players of the attacking team who may in turn run or otherwise move with the ball in an attempt to gain territorial advantage and score.

Defending players prevent the attacking team from gaining a territorial advantage by touching the ball carrier. Either defending or attacking players may initiate the touch.

Start of Game:
The team that wins the coin toss chooses the direction of play and must start with a tap from the middle of the field.

The defending team must be back 10 meters for the start of play and after each touchdown.

Duration of Game:
Duration of the game can be varied to suit your local circumstances. The CSSC London St Lucia Challenge will aim to play 2 x 10-minute halves.

Size of the Field:
Size of the field can vary but the game will generally be played on half a rugby field (playing across the field). Posts are not required to play Touch rugby. This will be the case during the CSSC London St Lucia Challenge.

Number of Players:
Teams can consist of up to a maximum of 14 players, 6 on the field at any one time. For the purposes of CSSC London St Lucia Challenge, teams will consist of a maximum of 10 players and a minimum of 6 players. There must be a minimum of 2 ladies on the pitch at any one time. For the winners, at least 5 of the original team have to commit to coming to St Lucia in 2009.

Method of Scoring:
A touchdown is awarded when an attacking player places the ball on the ground, on or over the defending teams scoreline. A touchdown is worth 1 point.

The person who takes the role of dummy half can cross the try-line but not score.

After a team scores, the play begins again with a tap in the middle of the field by the non scoring team.

The Basics

The Touch:
Players of both defending and attacking teams are to use the minimum force necessary to affect the touch. A touch can be made on any part of the person, their clothing or the ball.

After a touch has been affected, the player in possession is required to stop, return to the mark where the touch occurred if the mark has been over-run, and perform a Rollball without delay.

After being touched 6 times the ball is handed over to the other side.

If a touch is considered to be too strong a penalty will be awarded against the offending team.

The dummy half (the person who receives the ball from the player starting the game) is not allowed to be caught while in possession of the ball. If the dummy half is caught with the ball, possession is handed over to the opposition who will recommence play with a Rollball

The Rollball:
The Rollball is affected by the attacking player positioning on the mark, facing the defenders scoreline, standing parallel to the sidelines, and rolling the ball backwards along the ground between their feet. If the ball is rolled more than 1 meter a penalty will be awarded to the opposition.

Voluntary Rollball is when the player is not touched and rolls the ball between their legs, this is not allowed and will result in a penalty to the opposition.

The Penalty:
If someone is penalised there team must retreat 10 meters.

A penalty is taken by placing the ball on the ground, letting go of the ball, touching the ball with your foot and picking up the ball.

Passing:
A forward Pass is when the ball is passed in front of the player who possessed the ball. In this situation the ruling will be a penalty

A Touch and Pass is when the person who is touched then passes the ball. Again the ruling will be a penalty

Offside
An attacking player is offside when that player is forward of another attacking player who has possession or who last had possession of the ball.

A defending player is offside when that player has not retreated the required 5 meters (Rollball) or 10 meters (Penalty and restart of play after touchdowns) at recommencement of play.

For all offside incidents the opposition will be awarded a penalty

General Rules

General
Over Stepping or Off the Mark occurs when the player who has been touched goes past the point where they were touched. In this case a penalty will be awarded to the opposition

When the ball goes to ground for any reason, possession changes and the game is recommenced with a Rollball.

Shepherding or obstruction will result in a penalty being awarded to the opposition

Deviation happens at recommencement of play when a defender does not retreat straight back 5 meters to an on-side position and thereby obstructs the attacking player. This will result in a penalty being awarded to the opposition.

For minor offences i.e. bickering with refs, shouldering, leg trips etc… the player can be sin binned for five minutes without replacement.

Foul play of any nature (the referee being the sole judge) will result in the offending player being sent from the field without replacement.

General Principles of Play

Go Forward:
In Attack: The aim of the game is to score more touchdowns than the opposition; this is achieved by advancing towards the try line. At times it can be tactically advantageous to move towards the sideline to enable more room for further attacking plays

In Defence: When defending try to deny your opponents time and space by moving forward and making the touch. The faster you move up on the attacking team the less advancement toward your try line they will make.

Support the Ball Carrier at all Times:
Close support of the ball carrier allows more options in attack and means possession can be maintained. Close support also means no ground needs to be lost by having to pass the ball a long way backwards to a team-mate. Remember a pass directly sideways is allowed and can often be the most effective pass

Interchange players as much as possible
A fresh set of legs on the field can be the difference between winning and losing. Look to interchange your players while on attack and in the area of the interchange box. Once you have made a touchdown it is good to get a whole new set of players out there to keep up the intensity.

Frequently asked questions…

1. I've never played touch rugby before, is it hard to learn?

Touchrugby is very simple to play. 2-3 games will see you master the basic skills and the more you play the better you will become. As long as you are keen to get involved you will develop the skills to enjoy yourself on the field

2. How fit do I have to be to play?

You will be surprised at who plays touch rugby. People of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels play in social and competitive leagues, you chose the level you wish to play. You will find that over the season your personal fitness levels will increase. Touchrugby is a great way to exercise, improve cardio vascular fitness and help to burn excess fat.

3. What do I need to play?

All you need is gym gear and a pair of trainers. For those of you that want to really get into the game, there are specialist shoes made for touch rugby that can give you that extra grip when you need it. The Tournament Organiser will supply everything else, however your team will be required to supply your own team shirts, shorts and socks.

4. How long are the games?

The international standard is 40 mins (2 x 20 mins). This may vary depending on number of entries so check with the Tournament Organiser. We will aim to play 20 mins (2 x 10 mins).

5. How big is the field?

The international standard is 70m x 50m. However, most venues play on a pitch half the size of a rugby field.

6. How many people play in a team?

The maximum numbers of players in a team is 10, 6 on the field (including 2 females) at any one time.

7. What is the male/female ratio in a Mixed Team?

For the purposes of this tournament there should be a minimum of 2 women on the field.