TOUCH FEVER — TOUCH RUGBY RULES GENERAL RULES (2016 edition, amended for Winter 2026) 1. FIELD, BALL AND GAME • Games are played on a regulation size touch field, with boundaries and key areas identified by marked lines and cones. • A regulation size 4 touch ball is used. • Games consist of 2 × 15 minute halves, with a 2 minute break for half time. • Each game is officiated by a Touch Fever referee. 2. TEAM AND PLAYERS • Six players are permitted on field at any one time. • A team must have a minimum of four players for the game to commence. • A maximum of twelve players are allowed per team including substitutions. • All teams must wear a coordinated team uniform/colour. • All players must have appropriate sporting footwear. • All players must remove any loose jewellery prior to the game commencing, and keep fingernails short. 3. SUBSTITUTIONS • Teams may only substitute players when play has stopped, even in the case of injury. • Players coming on to the field may not do so until the player being replaced has come off. • Substitutions must only be made from the halfway line. • Having 6 players on the field, or substituting while play is ongoing: immediate penalty. 4. SCORING • A try is awarded when an attacking player places the ball securely on or over the try line. • The dummy half is not permitted to score at any time. If the dummy half scores or is touched with the ball, a roll ball is awarded to the opposing team. 5. START/RESTART OF PLAY AND BOUNDARIES • The game starts with a tap at halfway, with the opposing team behind the 10m mark. • On a turnover or penalty, the game restarts with a roll ball or tap ball to the non-offending team. • Defending team must retreat at least 5 metres for a roll ball, and 10 metres for a penalty. • If a player with the ball crosses the sideline without being touched, the opposing team is awarded a roll ball 5 metres inside the boundary. • If a player runs over or places the ball over the dead ball line, a roll ball is awarded to the opposing team on their defensive 5m line. 6. TOUCHING A PLAYER • A touch is affected when a defending player makes contact with any part of the attacking player using their hand and/or fingers. • The ball is deemed part of the attacking player — a touch on the ball counts. • Once touched, the attacking player must perform a roll ball not more than one metre from the point of touch. • Each team is allowed six touches to attempt to score. 7. DUMMY HALF • The dummy half is the player who picks up the ball once a roll ball has been performed. • The dummy half may run with the ball, but may not be touched or score a try. • If the dummy half is touched or scores, a roll ball is awarded to the opposing team. 8. ROLL BALL • To perform a roll ball, the attacking player positions themselves square to the try line, places the ball securely on the ground, then steps over it. • The ball may not travel further than one metre. • All defending players must retreat 5 metres before affecting a touch (offside). 9. TURNOVER / CHANGE OF POSSESSION A turnover results in a roll ball awarded to the opposing team. Turnovers occur when: • The ball goes to ground (including any kick) • The dummy half is touched while in possession • The dummy half scores a try • A roll ball is performed incorrectly • The sixth touch is made • A player runs over any boundary or dead ball line • A tap is performed incorrectly 10. TAP BALL • A tap ball is used to start each half and to restart play after a penalty. • A player must place the ball on the ground and make contact with it with their foot before picking it up. • The opposing team must retreat 10 metres before affecting a touch. 11. PENALTIES A penalty results in a tap ball to the non-offending team. Penalty offences include: • Offside — immediate penalty. • Forward pass — immediate penalty. One-phase immediate advantage applies: if a player intercepts a forward pass but is immediately touched, play returns to the forward pass. If the player passes or runs a significant distance, the advantage has passed. • Deliberate knock-down — immediate penalty (penalty try if within 5 metres of the try line). • Deliberately knocking the ball up with no realistic possibility of catching it — one warning, then a penalty. Knocking the ball up is allowed if the player has a realistic possibility of catching the ball. • Ball not on the mark after a touch — one warning, then a penalty. The ball must be placed within 1 metre of the player who made the touch. The touched player may not roll the ball to the side. • Touch and pass (touching then passing) • Roll ball performed off the mark • Players offside • Obstruction • Delaying play • Falsely claiming a touch • More than six players on the field — immediate penalty • Foul play (including slapping or deliberate/excessive contact) — immediate penalty and possible 2-minute full substitution at the referees discretion. • Players (excluding the captain) talking to the referee — one warning, then a penalty. • Interfering with the ball after "balls down" — one warning, then a penalty. 12. OFFSIDE • Defending players must retreat 5 metres (roll ball) or 10 metres (penalty/tap) before affecting a touch. • Players must retreat square to the try line and cannot drift across the field while retreating. • When defending on their goal line, all defending players must retreat to and touch the goal line, then advance once play restarts. • Players and supporters must leave a 1 metre gap outside the sidelines for the referee to move. 13. OBSTRUCTION • Players may not use their body or run in a line that disadvantages an attacking or defending player. • Attacking players running dummy lines must not interfere with a defending player. • Defending players may not interfere with attacking players on support lines. • All obstruction is called at the referees discretion. 14. ADVANTAGE • Referees may award an advantage if a team has had an infringement against them and is in an advantageous position. 15. REFEREES • All games are officiated by a minimum of one referee per field. • Referees may remove any players who bring the game into disrepute or act unsportsmanlike. • The referees decision is final in all instances. • Only captains may speak to referees. • Referees receive a 1-5 rating from captains after each game. • Regular teams must be able to provide a referee for at least one night during the season. 16. PLAYOFFS • During the play-offs, a player may only play down one division from the highest division team for which they play regularly. • If a player played for a higher-division team and a team more than one division lower, they may only play for one of those teams during the play-offs. 17. MAN OF THE MATCH • The Player of the Match from the winning team must be selected by the losing team. 18. MATCH SHEET • It is the captains responsibility to ensure that the match sheets are completed correctly. NB! These rules are subject to change at the start of each season. Any changes will be communicated by the league administrator.