Touch Football [Expression of Interest] Rules

THE TEAM

6-aside

  • The number of players shall be six (6) players.

  • The team must include a minimum of two (2) male, two (2) female and all remaining players can be any gender including gender diverse people. Please consider our Default, Forfeit, and Substitute Policy

  • Substitutes can be used as long as they have created an account and signed the most up to date Urban Rec waiver. During game play, substitutes can be made at any point in the game.

GAME SPECIFICS

GAME TIME 

The game is played in two (2) 18-20 minute quarters with a few minutes break at half/quarter time.

FIELD BOUNDARIES 

The field shall be 60 x 40m with a 5m Try-line. This may vary depending on the venue and field allocation bookings.

STARTING THE GAME 

Captains will use Scissors, Paper, Rock to determine who starts with the ball. The team who did not win will start with the ball in the second half.

SCORING 

Each try is worth one (1) point.

RULE SPECIFICS

THE TAP 

Play is started by a tap at the beginning of each half, following a try and when a penalty is awarded.

  • The tap is performed by an attacking player placing the ball on the ground, touching the ball with their foot, then picking it up and playing.

  • The defensive team must stay at a minimum distance of 10 metres from the mark during the tap, unless they are positioned on their own score line.

  • The defensive players can move after the ball carrier has touched the ball with their foot.

  • The player who has performed the tap may be touched without losing possession.

  • The attacking side must be positioned behind the ball when it is tapped.

  • The attacking side may move the ball up to 10 metres directly behind the given mark when taking a penalty tap. In this case, the defending side must still remain 10-metres from the original mark, not the new mark.

SCORING: 

A point is awarded when an attacking player places the ball on or over the opposition’s try-line. Each try is worth one point and cannot be scored by dummy half. Diving on the try line is strictly prohibited, and will result in the points not being awarded to the scoring team.

POSSESSION A team retains possession for a set of six (6) consecutive touches. Possession (or a Turnover) transfers to the opposing team.

  • after the sixth touch

  • after a try;

  • if the Dummy Half gets touched;

  • from an intercept;

  • a player doesn’t not play the ball in the correct spot after being touched, ‘one step’ is given as leeway

  • from a forward dropped ball, forward pass or other failure to maintain possession

DEFENDING 

From the tap for the start of the game, or from a penalty, the defending team must be at least 10 metres from the point of the tap. After making a touch, the defending team must retreat the distance the Event Host marks, at least five metres from the mark where the touch occurred and stay there until the half touches the ball. 

If a player does not retreat the entire distance the Event Host has marked, or they leave before the half has touched the ball, they are 'offside' and may be penalised. They must retreat backwards from the touch point or play the ball area, not sideways. 

If a penalty is conceded, the defending team must retreat at least 10 metres from the mark of the penalty. If a player makes an attempt to defend whilst still inside the 10 metres, they may be penalised.

THE DUMMY-HALF 

is subject to several restrictions that do not apply to other players:

  • If the Dummy-Half is touched with the ball, the attacking team loses possession.

  • The Dummy-Half cannot score a try, attempting to do so results in a change of possession

  • If the Dummy-Half takes too long to retrieve the ball, or the ball rolls more than a meter in the play, the Event Host can call play on and defenders can move forward before the Dummy-Half has touched the ball.

KICKING 

Kicking is allowed on the 4th, and 5th Touch.   

  • Kicks must be under shoulder height of the Event Host

  • Kicks stay in the field of play, kicks that go out are handed to the opposition team

  • Kicks can be any length

  • Kicks that go in goal and are collected by the opposition team on the full or after a bounce are declared the opposition's ball 10 meters out from the try line.

A PENALTY

 is granted to the non-offending team if

  • the ball is passed forward.

  • an obstruction is committed.

  • a player is offside.

  • a defending player does not retreat in a straight line to an onside position.

  • a player kicks the ball over shoulder height

  • a player acts contrary to the rules or spirit of the sport (e.g. time-wasting, using excessive force to make a touch, phantom touch - calling a touch when they clearly didn't make one, disputing decisions, etc)

URBAN REC SPECIFICS

FUN FIRST POLICY 

All Urban Rec leagues, irrespective of skill level, are fun-first. Our Event Hosts facilitate a fun, safe environment for teams. They will acknowledge, coach and make calls according to your level of experience playing the game. Urban Rec leagues expect a certain level of self-officiation, meaning that players are expected to display good sportsmanship to govern their behaviour. Open communication and camaraderie between teams is encouraged.

DISCIPLINE

Urban Rec Event Hosts have the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved.

If you are seen to be rude or not playing within the respect of the rules, your Event Host has the right to ask you to sub and take a break. If your Event Host then has to warn you more times then they have the right to ask you to leave the field or court and an assessment will be made if you can return to play. We don’t tolerate idiots, play fair.

INCLUSION

Urban Rec seeks to provide a safe, inclusive and happy environment for our members, staff and participants. Gender diverse, transgender and non-binary participants are welcome to play within our leagues along with any sexuality and persons from any background. Urban Rec has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment. 

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