Know the rules
Some of the basic rules are mentioned below, if you would want the official rules
please e-mail sandton@touchrugby.co.za
· Play starts and restarts at the centre with a "tap". This is performedby moving the ball on the ground with the foot, free from the hands,and then picking it up. Penalties are performed by the sameprocedure. On both a re-start and penalty the defending team mustretreat at least 10 metres.
· Six players are allowed on the field at any one time, with any amountof reserves off the field. Reserves can be continuously substituted atany time from one side of the field. The substituting players must makecontact with each other behind the sideline.
· A try is scored by grounding the ball on, or behind, the try-line. Onepoint is awarded in men's,women's and mixed leagues (Woman try'scount for 2, Mens 1)
· A legal touch is on any part of the body, clothing and ball. A playermust claim a touch by raising a hand and shouting, "Touch". The refereeis the sole judge of the touch and has the discretion to overrule aclaim. (Play to the whistle). An attacking player may affect the touchby deliberately touching the opposition.
· When touched, the player in possession must place the ball on theground at the exact point of the touch. Play is re-started by steppingover the ball. It can be controlled with a hand or foot. This is knownas a ROLLBALL. The ball may not roll more than a metre. A player maynot perform a rollball unless touched.
· The player picking up the ball (the dummy-half or acting half) may run,but if touched a changeover occurs. The dummy-half may not score and achangeover (rollball) will be awarded if this occurs.
· After 6 touches possession changes. The attacking team begins play on the "first down", starting with a "rollball".
· All defending players must retire more than 5 metres in line with themark of touch. The defending team cannot move forward until playrestarts, nor interfere with play whilst retreating. A restart occursthe moment the ball is tapped or the dummy-half touches the ball at theroll ball. If there is no dummy-half in position (within 1 metre of themark) defenders may advance from an on-side position.
· If the attacking player, when making a quick start, is touched by anoff-side defender, play is allowed to continue. If an attackingside gains no advantage, a penalty tap for the first down will begiven.
· When a rollball is taken within 5 metres of the scoreline the defendingplayers must retreat with both feet to behind their scoreline beforethey can make the touch. If a player is touched in the touchdown zonebefore grounding the ball the touch counts and play is restarted on the5-metre line. At all times no team may delay the game by deliberatelydelaying a roll ball.
· If the ball is dropped or if a player crosses the sideline before beingtouched, change of possession will occur. This is by means of a rollball.
· A penalty is awarded for the following infringements; a forward pass,offside play, performing a roll ball over the mark, claiming a Touchwhen none was made, interfering with the roll ball (running around theruck) and passing the ball once touched. When a penalty is awarded, thereferee will advance 10 metres from where the infringement occurred.The referee must give the exact mark from where the Tap Ball must betaken. The defending team must retire 10 metres from the mark or behindthe try-line.
· If the defending team unsuccessfully intercepts the ball or it isintentionally knocked down, the attacking team starts from a "firstdown" roll ball.
· The principle of advantage will be applied.
· No obstruction, excessive contact, verbal abuse or foul play will betolerated - the referee is sole judge. A penalty will be awarded insuch cases and a player can receive 2 minutes in the SIN BIN. Seriousor continual foul play of any nature will result in the player beingsent off without a replacement.