Touch rugby facts for kids
Touch rugby, also known as Touch or Touch Football, is a sport that comes from rugby league. It has very little body contact. This helps rugby players practice their skills without getting hurt. It also means that everyone can play, no matter their gender or age.
Contents
History
Touch rugby started in South Sydney, Australia, in the late 1960s. It was first played as a non-contact sport for rugby league players. They used it to stay fit when their main season was over. The game came to Europe in the 1980s. The first Touch league in Ireland began in 2005.
Rules
Field Size
Touch rugby is played on fields that are 70 meters long and 50 meters wide. The field has sidelines, a halfway line, and areas called "in-goal" areas.
Number of Players
Each team can have up to 14 players. However, only 6 players from each team can be on the field at one time. This means 12 players are playing at once. Teams can swap players in and out as often as they like.
How the Game Starts
A coin is tossed to decide which team starts. The attacking team gets six chances to try and score. These chances are called "touches."
Scoring Points
Players score by grounding the ball in the in-goal area. "Grounding" means holding the ball and letting it touch the ground.
Losing the Ball
If the attacking team drops the ball, the other team gets it. The game then restarts with a "rollball." A rollball is when you gently roll the ball backward with your hand or foot.
Penalties
Forward Pass
A team with the ball can pass it to teammates who are next to them or behind them. If a player passes the ball forward, it is a penalty. The team loses the ball. The game restarts with a "tap kick." This is when you kick the ball with your foot.
Touch and Pass
If a player passes the ball right after they have been touched, it is a penalty. This is like a forward pass penalty.
Off the Mark
Players must restart the game at the exact spot where a rollball or penalty was given. They cannot move from that spot.
How to Touch
In Touch rugby, tackling is replaced by a "touch." A touch means using your hand to touch any part of an opponent's body. You must use very little force when you touch someone.
Purpose
Touch rugby helps many people get involved in the world of rugby. It does not matter who you are or how old you are. It is a great way to introduce new players to rugby. This includes young players, girls, and women.
Images for kids
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Touch rugby being played at the 2012 Bedford River Festival.
See also
In Spanish: Touch rugby para niños
