What is Touch Football?

Touch Football is like rugby but there is no tackling, no scrumming, no kicking as well as. Its a passing game.
It is a none contact sport which only requires you to touch the opponent. Touch Football can be played by
anyone children, adults, the elderly and women. Touch Football has been around for more then 10 years and
at present there are more than 500,000 people playing in Australia and New Zealand. Recently it has become
popular here in Japan and other countries as well. The Japanese foundation was established in 1989 and has
attracted members from all sorts of backgrounds. At present there are 100,000 people enjoying touch in Japan.
 
 

3 NATIONS CUP TOKYO 1995 JAPAN vs AUSTRALIA
(Photo by H.Toyowaka)

Rules (An outline)

A team consists of 12 players 6 on the field and 6 reserves. Players can substitute at there choice (similar those
rules in Ice hockey). Like the ball for rugby it is oval shaped and can not be thrown forward. If the ball falls on the
ground it then becomes the oppositions ball. Each team tries to score a try by placing the ball over the try line. The
opposition tries to defend this action by touch there opponent. After 6 touches the ball is then handed over to the
opposition.
A touch can be anywhere on the attacking persons body or clothing. Also the offense can touch the defense voluntarily
to speed up play. Once the person who possesses the ball is touched they must then roll the ball between there legs.
After doing so a person (dummy half) then picks the ball up to pass to one of his members. The dummy half must not be
touched while possessing the ball.
Touch is a game which does not require must strength but relies on fitness so hard touches are not allowed.
One game last for 20 to 25 min. Depending on the competition. The field is approximately 30〜50m in width × 50〜70m i
n length.

Rules (In detail)

• When the game starts players must gather in the middle of the field an the attacking team must start with a tap. Also after the opposition scores the play begins again with a tap in the middle.
• The attacking team continues play until they have had 6 touches. After being touched the player touched must roll the ball between his or her legs.
• After being touched 6 times the attacking team hands the ball over to the opposition and then must defend there ground.
• After touching one of the attacking players all the defending team members must retreat 5m
• If the players do not retreat they are offside and can be penalized.
• The person who takes the role of dummy half can not score.
• If the dummy half is touched while possessing the ball they can be panelized.
• If a touch is considered to be too strong that player can be panelized.
• When someone is panelized their team must then retreat 10m
  • Penalty: when there is dangerous or unfair play
  • Offside: when the defending players have not retreated the required length
  • Forward pass: when the ball is passed in front of the player who possessed the ball
  • Touch and Pass: when the person who is touched then passes the ball
  • Point Over:  when the player who was touched goes passed the point where they where touched
  • Voluntary Rolled Ball:  when the player is not touched and rolls the ball between there legs
  • On the ground: when the ball is dropped on the ground it is then turned over to the opposite team
  • Half touched: when the dummy half is touched while possessing the ball
  • Not 1m: when the ball has been rolled more than one meter
  • Not control of the ball: when the ball is not rolled but thrown through the legs
• Obstruction of during defense and attack can be panelized.

Often asked questions

Q1. Must a player be touched with both hands?

A1. A player can be touched by both or even by one hand.

Q2 What is a Tap?

A2. Like that of rugby the ball is placed on the ground and kicked forwarded a fraction (approx 15 cm to 30 cm) then picked up.