• Game duration: Two 6-minute halves with a 1-minute half time.
  • The Referee(s) will toss a coin in the presence of the Team captains with the winning captain’s Team having the choice of the direction the Team wishes to run in the first half; the choice of Interchange Areas for the duration of the match, including any extra time; and the choice of which team will commence the match in Possession.
  • Play starts and restarts at the centre with a “tap”. This is performed by moving the ball on the ground with the foot, free from the hands, and then picking it up. Penalties are performed by the same procedure. On both a re-start and penalty the defending team must retreat at least 10 metres.
  • A player of the Attacking Team is to commence the match with a Tap at the centre of the Halfway Line following the indication to commence play from the Referee.
  • For the recommencement of play following a Half Time break, Teams shall change directions and the Team not commencing the match with Possession is to re-start the match with a Tap.
  • For the recommencement of play following the scoring of a Try, the Team against which the Try was conceded will recommence play with a Tap.
  • A Tap may not be taken until all attacking Players are in an Onside position. Ruling = The Player will be directed to return to the Mark and to take the Tap again.
  • A Tap may not be taken until at least four (4) defending players are in an Onside position or unless directed to so by the Referee. Where the number of players on the field from the Defending Team falls below four (4), all players must be in an Onside position for a Tap to be taken unless directed to do so by the Referee
  • Six players are allowed on the field at any one time, with six (6) reserves off the field. Reserves can be continuously substituted at any time from one side of the field. The substituting players must make contact with each other behind the sideline, in the central third of the pitch.
  • A try is scored by grounding the ball on, or behind, the try-line. One point is awarded for a try.
  • A legal touch is on any part of the body below the shoulders, on the clothing and/or the ball, using two hands. A player should claim a touch by raising a hand and shouting, “Touch”. The referee is the sole judge of the touch and has the discretion to overrule a claim. (Play to the referee’s call). An attacking player may affect the touch by deliberately touching the opposition.
  • When touched, the player in possession must place the ball on the ground at the exact point of the touch. Play is re-started by stepping over the ball. It can be controlled with a hand or foot. This is known as a ROLLBALL. The ball may not roll more than a metre. A player may not 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 a changeover (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 at least 5 metres in line with the mark of touch. The defending team cannot move forward until play restarts, nor interfere with play whilst retreating. A restart occurs the moment the ball is tapped or the dummy-half touches the ball at the roll ball. If there is no dummy-half in position (within 1 metre of the mark) defenders may advance from an on-side position.
  • If the attacking player, when making a quick start, is touched by an off-side defender, play is allowed to continue. If an attacking side gains no advantage, a penalty tap for the first down will be given.
  • When a rollball is taken within 5 metres of the scoreline the defending players must retreat with both feet to behind their scoreline before they can make the touch. If a player is touched in the touchdown zone before grounding the ball the touch counts and play is restarted on the 5-metre line. At all times no team may delay the game by deliberately delaying a roll ball.
  • If the ball is dropped or if a player crosses the sideline before being touched, change of possession will occur. This is by means of a roll ball.
  • A penalty is awarded for the following infringements;
    • A forward pass,
    • Offside play,
    • Performing a roll ball over the mark,
    • Claiming a Touch when none was made,
    • Interfering with the roll ball (running around the ruck), and
    • Passing the ball once touched.
  • When a penalty is awarded, the referee will advance 10 metres from where the infringement occurred. The referee must give the exact mark from where the Tap Ball must be taken. The defending team must retire 10 metres from the mark or behind the try-line.
  • If the defending team unsuccessfully intercepts the ball or the ball is intentionally knocked down, the attacking team starts from a “first down” roll ball.
  • The principle of advantage will be applied.
  • No obstruction, excessive contact, verbal abuse or foul play will be tolerated – the referee is sole judge. A penalty will be awarded in such cases and a player can receive 2 minutes in the SIN BIN. Serious or continual foul play of any nature will result in the player being sent off for the remainder of the match, without a replacement.
    • Ball Touched in Flight
    • If a player from the Defending Team deliberately makes contact with the ball in flight and the ball goes to ground, the Attacking Team retains the ball and the Touch Count restarts as zero (0) Touch.
    • If a player from the Defending Team deliberately makes contact with the ball in flight and the ball is retrieved by an attacking player, without touching the ground, play continues and the next Touch is zero (0) Touch.
    • If a player from the Defending Team deliberately makes contact with the ball in flight, propelling it Forward and an attacking player, in an attempt to regain possession, drops the ball, the Attacking Team retains Possession and the Touch Count restarts as zero (0) Touch.
    • If a player from the Defending Team deliberately makes contact with the ball in flight, propelling it towards the Defending Team’s Dead Ball Line and an attacking player, in an attempt to regain possession drops the ball, a Change of Possession occurs.
    • If a player from the Defending Team unintentionally makes contact with the ball in flight and the ball goes to ground, a Change of Possession occurs.
    • If a player from the Defending Team unintentionally makes contact with the ball in flight and the ball is retrieved by an attacking player, play and the Touch Count continues.
    • A player from the Attacking Team cannot pass the ball into a defending player intentionally seeking a rebound or a restart of the Touch count.
  • A pitch-side timer will keep time in order to start and finish games.
  • Only plastic moulded boots with a minimum of 10 studs, or trainers, are allowed. No exceptions will be made.
  • After each game the captain will be required to confirm the score with the referee and timer/pitch monitor.
  • Once the score has been agreed, the result is deemed final.
  • Should at least 4 players not be present to begin a game, the team with sufficient players will receive 1 try for every 2 minutes lost, until the game can commence
  • In case of a draw
    • If a win is needed (i.e. in a final or knockout stage) and at the end of play the teams are drawing on points, a “drop-off” procedure will occur.
    • Each time will drop one player from the field, and play will recommence for a further two minutes
    • If there is still no winner at the end of this two minutes of play, teams will each drop another player and play for a further two minutes. This will occur until there is a winning team
    • If no team has won after the teams have played for two minutes with three players, a coin toss will decide the outcome

If you have any questions at all about the rules of the tournament, please email touchmybrum@birminghambullsrfc.com