Please find below information regarding playing Touch Footy 9s on a Rugby Field.
Field: The playing field is a rugby field, using rugby posts as the goals.
Teams: Teams consist of 9 players on the field – 3 forwards, 3 midfielders and 3 backs.
Start of Game: The game is started by a jump ball in the centre of the playing field. After each goal, the ball is taken back to the centre and restarted by a jump ball.
Moving the Ball: Players can kick, handball or run with the ball. Throwing the ball is not allowed.
Goals: A Goal is scored by kicking the ball through the rugby posts. If the ball hits any player before continuing through the posts, it is not a goal. If the ball hits any part of the posts and continues through the posts, it is a goal. If the ball hits any part of the posts and comes back into the field of play, play will continue.
Kick In: After a missed goal, a member of the defending team shall bring the ball back into play via a kick in front of the posts, from inside the 5m line. All other players must be outside the 10m line.
Last Touch: When the ball goes out of bounds by either foot or hand, anywhere along the side line, the nearest opponent shall kick (not handball) the ball back into play.
Corner Kicks: If a member of the defending team is deemed to have deliberately knocked the ball over the goal line, a free kick (corner kick) will result.
No Tackling: No tackling or general rough play is allowed. At no stage are you permitted to be overly physical with an opponent. Please remember all players owe a duty of care to each other. We are here to have fun, not injure each other.
Legitimate Touch: A legitimate touch occurs when a defending player touches the player in possession of the football, with one or two hands. Touching with only one finger or grabbing a player’s jumper is not a legitimate touch.
3 Second Rule: When a player is touched by an opponent, they have 3 seconds to dispose of the ball by handballing or kicking.
Holding the Ball: If a player has had prior opportunity to dispose of the ball when touched, it is holding the ball. An example of this is when a player attempts to evade their opponent in open play, and is touched. In this situation a free kick will be awarded.
Marks: Any player catching a ball directly from the kick of another player, that travels at least 10 metres and is not touched by another player, shall be awarded a mark.
Safe Zone: If a player is about to mark the ball from a kick, a defending player is not permitted to come from behind and spoil the mark. The defending player must back off and allow their opponent to complete the mark. This is known as the safe zone.
Bouncing: Players must bounce the ball after running with it for 10 metres. Players may bounce the ball only once.
Kicking off the ground: A player is not permitted to deliberately kick the ball off the ground. If a player makes contact with the ball with their foot during the course of play, and it is deemed accidental, the umpire shall call “play on” and play shall continue.
