Touch Rugby to Make Your Players Shine
This simple game concentrates on running, support play and passing ability, ensuring a great skills and fitness workout for the entire team.
A simple game, to be played at pace
Touch rugby is a simple game that removes the need for extensive equipment, simplifies the laws by removing scrummaging, rucking, mauling and lineouts. And, of course, can be played with less fear of injury through tackling. It concentrates on running and passing ability, allowing perhaps the smaller and lighter players to shine. It is ideal for mixed rugby as well as different ages.
In its simplest form, touch rugby has two sides of no more than ten players, where the tackle is in the form of a one or two handed touch, normally below the waist.
Many of the rules are similar to rugby league. From the tackle, either a pass is made or the ball is laid back between the legs. The attacking side has a limited number of touch tackles (normally 5 or 6) before the ball is turned over. The defence must retire 5 metres from every tackle.
The worst sort of touch rugby I have seen is when there are upwards of ten players a side spread across the field. There is too much inactivity and lazy play. The best touch rugby engages ALL the players ALL the time. They should be tired at the end of a session. Split off into smaller groups when the numbers approach ten.
Game variations
There are many variations in touch rugby, not only in format, but also in constraints and opportunities. All are aimed to make the best use of the game. Here are some examples.
Three second touch
My personal favourite is "three second" touch. Here the tackled player has three seconds to pass the ball once touched. The referee counts down after every touch and a turnover is awarded if the ball is not released in time. A touched player cannot score a try.
There is no offside once there has been a turnover. This encourages support, passing in the tackle and also gives slower forwards the opportunity to play a more active part in the game when taking the ball forward. It makes the players take up better body positions through a potential contact situation.
Double touch
Not unlike "three second" touch, a player is allowed to be touched once. If they are touched a second time, then the ball is turned over to the other side. A touched player cannot score.
Again this game promotes support running, but also cover defence. Players who may be tackled twice in quick succession will learn to move the ball away effectively from danger very quickly.
No mistake touch
This game is better for forwards, since it allows them to rumble up the pitch.
Once touched, the player must put the ball through their legs at the point of tackle (no stealing of yards). All the opposition must retire 5 metres. There is a turnover when either the ball is dropped, goes into touch or following a forward pass. There is no limit to the number of touches a play may take.
The ball is not allowed to be restarted from any situation within 5 metres of the try line. So if a tackle is made in the 5 metre gap in front of the try line, the ball is placed on the 5 metre line. The same goes for a turnover ball.
I would say the main downside of this game is the potential poor body positions it encourages, since there is no need to recycle the ball quickly. However, players soon recognise that better presentation will open more gaps.
In terms of defence, it makes the defence more "honest" closer to the action. The defence either side of the tackle will need to move up quickly to prevent the 5 metre gap being exploited.
I have seen a good defensive side push an attacking line back upwards of 20 metres before the attackers made a mistake and the ball was turned over. However, this defensive pressure can perhaps persuade attacking players that going forward and straight is a good way of making ground, rather than "shovelling" on poor ball.
Constraints in touch rugby
Try adding the following constraints to add variety and different pressures to the games. Remember to work your players outside the comfort zone.
Holding tackles
Instead of touch, let the players hold the ball carrier. This prevents them running beyond the touch point and promotes a more aggressive defence.
It is especially useful in "three second" touch where players can be prevented getting the pass away. Players who are about to be tackled therefore have to get themselves into the right body positions.
Ball on the ground
Normally if the ball goes to ground in touch rugby, a turnover is declared to avoid full contact. This rule can be relaxed on occasions, especially with more experienced and older teams. Players need to get used to fielding the ball quickly and effectively from the floor.
One hand or two hand touch
One handed touch is better when the field is wide and the players few. Two handed touch means harder work for the defence, so the players have to be in a better body position to make the tackle.
The flexibility of choice can change the game to suit the circumstances. For instance, a high scoring game with two handed touch can be changed to a low scoring game of greater skill with one handed touch.