Waitemata Junior Touch Module is affiliated with NZ Touch and follows the rules as set out by NZ Touch for our junior and senior modules. Full information can be found on their website here. Further details can also be found on Touchrugby.co.nz.

See the rules downloads on the right for more information >>>

Abbreviated Rules of Touch

Change of Possession

  • Ball dropped to the ground
  • Dummy Half touched while in possession
  • 6th touch
  • Dummy Half places the ball on or over the scoreline
  • Incorrect rollball
  • Incorrect tap
  • Ball on or over a boundary

At a change of possession, play restarts with a ROLLBALL

Rollball

  • Position at the mark where the touch was made
  • Face attacking scoreline
  • Without delay, roll the ball backwards between the legs at a distance of not more than 1 metre
  • Dummy Half must pick up the ball cleanly and play without delay

At the rollball, the Referee shall indicate the touch count.

Touch

  • A touch can be affected by either a defending player or by the player in possession
  • A touch counts on the ball, hair or clothing
  • After 6 touches, a change of possession shall take place

Penalty Infringements

  • Forward pass
  • Touch & pass
  • Performing a rollball before being touched
  • Performing a rollball off the mark
  • Using more than minimum force to effect a touch
  • Claiming a touch when the touch was not affected
  • Defender offside at rollball – 5 metres
  • Defender offside at the tap – 10 metres
  • Playing more players than the allowable number
  • Incorrect substitution
  • Delaying play
  • Obstruction
  • Misconduct

At a Penalty, play restarts with a TAP to the non-offending team.

To Perform a Tap

  • Ball must be placed on the ground at the mark
  • Ball must be released from both hands
  • Ball is tapped with either foot at a distance of not more than 1 metre
  • Ball must be picked up cleanly

To Score a Touchdown

  • Ball must be placed on or over the scoreline
  • Ball does not have to be released to score a touchdown
  • Dummy Half is not permitted to score touchdowns
  • If a touch is made as the ball is being grounded – the touch counts

If a touch occurs in the touchdown zone, play restarts 5 metres infield from the scoreline

UNIFORM
Juniors

  • Proper touch shoes or sports shoes must be worn. No barefeet or metal sprigs allowed. 
  • The team must wear matching coloured tshirts (this can be a school uniform sports tshirt or a plain colour tshirt). Alternatively, you may purchase your own set of coloured bibs. (No numbers are required on junior uniform tops or bibs)
  • Teams have 2 weeks grace from the first playing night to have regulation shirts, after which teams will forfeit points. This will be monitored.


Seniors

  • Proper touch shoes or sports shoes must be worn. No barefeet or metal sprigs allowed. 
  • Team should wear uniform tshirts
  • Numbers are required on the back of playing tshirt and each player must have a different number. Matching colour, numbered bibs are ok.
  • Teams have 2 weeks grace from the first playing night to have regulation shirts, after which teams will forfeit points. This will be monitored.