The tap is taken by placing the ball on the ground on the mark, releasing the ball from both hands, tapping the ball with the foot a distance of not more than one metre and retrieving the ball cleanly. Any player from the attacking team may take the tap.
The Penalty
When a player/team is penalised the non offending team shall restart play with a tap. The tap is taken at the mark and the defending team must retire ten metres from the mark until the ball has been tapped. Play restarts with a tap when the following infringements occur;
- Forward Pass
- Touch and Pass
- Rollball performed off the mark
- Performing a rollball prior to a touch being made
- Defenders offside at the rollball (5 metres)
- Defenders offside at the tap (10 metres)
- Deliberately delaying play
- More than six players on the field
- Incorrect substitution
- Falsely claiming a touch
- Using more than the minimum force to make a touch
- Misconduct
The Touch
Players from both teams are permitted to effect the touch. A touch is contact with any part of the body, ball, clothing or hair. A minimum of force is to be used at all times. The team in possession is entitled to 6 touches.
Touch and Pass
A player is not to pass the ball after a touch has been made.
The Dummy Half
The dummy half is the person who picks up the ball after a team-mate has performed a rollball. The dummy half should not get touched, and cannot score touchdowns.
Offside/Onside
After a touch has been made all defending players must retire 5 metres from the mark. Defenders cannot move forward until the dummy half has touched the ball.
Sideline
If a player with the ball touches or crosses the sideline s/he is deemed to be out of play and a change of possession occurs. Play restarts with a rollball 5 metres in from where the player went out. If a touch is made before the player goes out, the touch counts.
Obstruction
Players of the attacking team are not to obstruct defending players from attempting to effect a touch. Defending players are not to obstruct/interfere with attacking players supporting the ball carrier.
The Field of Play
The field is 70m long (scoreline to scoreline) and 50m wide. Substitution boxes measuring 20m in length shall be situated on both sides of the field at halfway. The Touchdown zone is the area beyond the scoreline.
Team Composition
A team may consist of up to 14 players. A maximum of six (6) are allowed on the field at any one time. A minimum of four players are required for the match to be played.
The Toss
The captain winning the toss shall receive possession of the ball and a choice of direction and substitution box for the first half. The Referee will supervise the toss.
Duration
The match at Touch New Zealand Tournament level shall be 20 minutes each way with a 3 minute break at half time. Associations may alter the duration of matches to suit their particular requirements.
Extra Time and the Drop Off (Playoffs Only)
When a match is drawn at full time and a single winner is required the game will restart at half way with both teams fielding five players and the team that started the match commencing play with a tap. If the starting team scores a touchdown in their first set of six touches the opponents are entitled to a right of reply. They tap from halfway and if they fail to score a touchdown lose the match. If they do score in that set of six then original starters will tap from halfway and the first team to score from this point will win the match. If the starting team do not score in the first set of six then the first team to score a touchdown wins the match. At the completion of every two minutes of play the referees will pause the game and ask that one player from each team leave the field. If the match is still playing after four minutes of extra time the referee will again pause and ask one more player from each team to leave the field. The teams will remain at three players per side until the winning touchdown is scored. Normal subbing is allowed throughout the extra time.
Player Attire
All team members must be correctly attired in team uniforms. Footwear with moulded soles are permitted. Bare feet, spikes and footwear with screw-in studs are not permitted. Players are not to wear any item of jewellery that might be dangerous.
The Referee
The referee is the sole judge on matters of fact and is required to adjudicate on the rules of the game during play. The referee may impose any sanction necessary to control the match. All officials, players and coaches involved in the match are under the control of the referee.
Foul Play will NOT be Tolerated
Any foul play (the referee being the sole judge) will result in the offending player being penalised, sent to the sin bin for a period of time, or being sent from the field for the remainder of the match, depending on the severity of the offence.
Mixed Teams
A mixed team is made up of a ratio of male/female players. The team is not permitted to field more than three male players or not less than one male player at any time.
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