Touch Rugby: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Touch rugby (commonly known as "Touch football" or just "Touch" in Australia and New Zealand)

Players from both codes of rugby play a form of touch rugby. They do not tackle in the traditional way, but instead substitute light touch tackling.

It is often played informally rather like an informal soccer game might be played. This is possible because as it is a light contact sport the need for strict referring is not necessary.

A common time for it to be played is as an end of training session on the day before an important full rugby game to reduce to a minimum the chances of an accidental injury. Schools have also used touch football as part of their curriculum to avoid the inevitable injuries that can stem from full rugby game.

Federation of International Touch

The Federation of International Touch (F.I.T) was formed at a meeting held in conjunction with the Australian National championships that were held in Melbourne in 1985.

Touch rugby (commonly known as "Touch football" or just "Touch" in Australia) is a superfast form of Rugby League in which players do not tackle in the traditional (and some might say, rather violent) way, but instead substitutes these tackles for light touch tackling. In addition, the rules of rugby league are simplified, and removes elements like scrums and kicking.

Touches can be made against any element of the persons body, clothing, or the ball.

Touch football has a number of advantages over the traditional game, including the ability to play it without fear of injury, and the inevitable lawsuits. Women have also taken to touch football, and it helps develop essential skills and fitness for use in other sports, and in rugby league proper.

Schools have also used touch football as part of their curriculum to avoid the inevitable injuries that can stem from full rugby league.

It also scores in the usage of equipment. As kicking is not part of touch, posts are not required, and therefore can be played with minimal equipment (a ball, some grass, and players). The game could potentially be adapted for those who are disabled or use Wheelchairs as shown on http://www.geocities.com/treloarsport.

The game is not fully codified, so when strangers wish to play together they have to revert to the early days of rugby and agree on the rules before they start. One common rule is that to be a fair touch has to be below the waist. Often the game played by union players will be base on modified rules of Rugby Sevens or touch Ruby League.

Until 2003/2004 the RFU in its junior development program called The three Stages of the Rugby Continuum encouraged the playing of Non-contact/touch rugby in its under eights competition. But in future it will use Mini Tag instead.