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Home  Touch Rugby - 2c
SITUATION 10:8
Near the scoreline the referee calls a defender offside. In an attempt to retire to the
scoreline the defender falls over. The player in possession jumps the defender and places
the ball over the scoreline claiming a touchdown. However as he places the ball on the
ground the player stands on the hand of the defender lying on the ground. Is the
touchdown awarded?
DECISION
When a player places the ball on the ground on or over the scoreline at the same time a
touch is effected, (and the player in possession effected a touch), the touch counts and no
touchdown is awarded (Rule 10.8). However, the referee had "warned" the offside player
so the touch would not count and a touchdown would be awarded.
SITUATION 10:9
When the player in possession is effecting a rollball near the scoreline and is in the process
of placing the ball on the ground, a touch is effected by the defender on the ball, pushing it
out and in between the legs of the player in possession - the ball is quickly passed out to a
supporting player who scores. Is there any allowance for an advantage here if the referee
thinks that the push out of the ball, by the defender, was over-vigorous?
DECISION
There is no allowance for advantage to be played. A touch on the ball constitutes a touch
and with that the ball must be played correctly. If the ball has been knocked down by the
defender (purposely) a penalty should result. There can be no "play on" or advantage
from this as the touch is made.
The referee however has the option of considering the action of the defender a
"professional foul" near the scoreline and decide on a subsequent course of action against
the defending player, including a penalty touchdown.
RULE 11 - BALL ON OR OVER SIDELINE/SCORELINE
1
On or Over Sideline. The ball becomes dead when it or a player in possession
touches or crosses the sideline and a change of possession results. However if a
player in possession is touched prior to crossing the sideline, then the touch counts
and play continues with a Rollball at the mark where the touch occurred.
RULING - The team NOT responsible for the ball touching or crossing the sideline
restarts play with a Rollball five (5) metres infield from where the ball or the player in
possession touched or crossed the sideline, or at the position of best advantage to the
attacking team.
2
Touched over Attacking Scoreline. If a player in possession of the ball is touched
after crossing the attacking scoreline and prior to the scoring of a touchdown, the
touch counts. Play is restarted with a Rollball five (5) metres infield from where the
player in possession crossed the scoreline.
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3
Ball on or behind Defending Scoreline. If a player in possession of the ball is
touched whilst on or behind their defending scoreline, the touch counts and play is
restarted with a Rollball five (5) metres infield from where the player in possession
was touched.
4
Actions Near Defending Scoreline. An attacking team is not required to Rollball
within five (5) metres of the defending scoreline. After each touch the player in
possession may move forward to the five (5) metre broken line to Rollball.
5
Actions near Attacking Scoreline. When a touch is effected within five (5)
metres of the attacking scoreline, a player in possession may move directly behind
the mark a distance of up to five (5) metres to the broken line to restart play with a
Rollball.
6
Actions further than Five (5) Metres from Defending Scoreline. When
defending players are required to defend further than five (5) metres from their
defending scoreline, they must move forward beyond the five (5) metre broken line
and continue to move forward in an attempt to effect a touch on the player in
possession.
RULING - A penalty awarded to the attacking team at the position of the ball at the time
the offence is identified.
PLAYER NOTES
A.
When moving forward or backward from the mark in accordance with Rules 11.4
and/or 11.5, players should indicate to the referee that such options have been
chosen and thus avoid confusion. Defending players must remain five (5) metres
from the Rollball.
B.
When moving forward or backward in accordance with Rules 11.4 and/or 11.5, the
player in possession should avoid contact with defending players and should not
move sideways from the mark.
C.
When the player in possession is further than five (5) metres from the scoreline and
the defending team is defending on or within five metres (5) of their defending
scoreline, the defending team must move forward in an attempt to effect a touch.
This means the whole team must move out to beyond the five (5) metre line and
can only return to the scoreline once a touch is effected. They may however move
back beyond the five metre broken line to realign for the next defensive move once
a touch is about to be effected by either the attacking or defending player.
D.
When a player in possession is on or within five (5) metres of their attacking
scoreline, the defending team are permitted to remain on, and defend their
scoreline.
REFEREE NOTES
A.
Players who are onside at their defending scoreline may lean over the scoreline to
touch an attacking player, and remain onside provided both feet remain on or
(c) F.I.T. Rules and their Interpretations and Explanations
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behind the scoreline and contact with the ground is not made with the hands inside
the field of play.
B
Before a penalty is awarded in accordance with Rule 11.6, the referee must warn
the defending team to move forward in an attempt to effect a touch. If the
defending team does not move forward in accordance with the referee's direction a
penalty will result.
C.
If the same situation arises again after a tap from a penalty has been taken, (that is,
within the attacking team's following six possessions), and the defending team still
refuses to move forward to effect a touch, another penalty is awarded to the
attacking team. In addition the referee will instruct the captain of the defending
team to remove one (1) player from the field. The player is to return to the
interchange area.
That player (or a substitute) cannot be replaced until the defending team gains
possession. On each occasion before awarding a penalty the referee must have
warned the defending team to move forward of the five (5) metre broken line, to
effect a touch.
Explanation and Interpretations - Rule 11
SITUATION 11:1
A player in possession performs a Rollball near the scoreline. An onside defending player
leans over and touches the half before the ball is cleared.
DECISION
Half caught in possession. - Rules 9.3 and 11.5.
SITUATION 11:2
A player in possession puts a foot on the sideline whilst running downfield.
DECISION
Player is in touch. Change of possession five (5) metres infield from where their foot
touched the sideline. - Rule 11.1
SITUATION 11:3
A defender with one foot on the sideline effects a touch on an attacking player.
DECISION
Touch Counts. No change of possession for the attacking player coming into contact with
someone outside the field of play. - Rule 11.1.
SITUATION 11:4
In Rule 11 PN A it states " when moving forward or backwards from the mark in
accordance with Rules 11.4 or 11.5 players should indicate to the referee that such options
have been chosen " Does the referee penalise the player if he is not notified?
(c) F.I.T. Rules and their Interpretations and Explanations
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DECISION
No. The Player Note says that the player SHOULD indicate to the referee, there is no
compulsion that he does this. So in fact, the referee cannot take any action, it is expected
the referee knows the player is allowed to take this step.
SITUATION 11:5
A defender intercepts a pass, thrown by the half, behind their own scoreline and is touched
before they can run it back into the field of play. Where is the mark for the Rollball ?
DECISION
The mark is on the five metre line from the scoreline, directly opposite where the touch
was effected.
SITUATION 11:6
If a Rollball occurs more than 10 metres from the scoreline, and the defensive line is set
more than 5 metres from the scoreline (say six metres), are the defenders are entitled to
use freeze defence at this point in the game.
DECISION
Yes the defenders are entitled to use freeze defence at this point in the game provided no
defensive players has held a defensive position on the five metre line or between the five
metre line and scoreline.
SITUATION 11:7
If Rollball occurs on the 10 metres or within 10 metres of the scoreline, and the defensive
line is set on the 5 metres (or anywhere between the scoreline and the 5 metres broken
line), must the whole team must move forward and attempt to effect a touch.
DECISION
Yes the WHOLE team must move forward and attempt to effect a touch as the Rule
comes into effect when any defender holds a position on the five metre line or between the
five metre line and scoreline.
SITUATION 11:8
The Rollball occurs more than 10 metres from the scoreline, however a defender holds a
position on the 5 metre broken line (or enters the area between the 5 metre line and the
scoreline), is the whole team is deemed to be involved in the Mexican Standoff.
DECISION
Yes the WHOLE team must then move forward in an attempt to effect a touch as any
ONE defender can initiate the "no freeze" defence pattern.
SITUATION 11:9
If a penalty is awarded to the attacking team which forces the defensive line to be set on or
within the 5 metres line and scoreline, and the attacking team moves the mark up to 10
metres directly behind the original mark does the defending team still have to move
forward in an attempt to effect touch after the ball is tapped, even though the ball is
bought into play more than 10 metres from the scoreline.
(c) F.I.T. Rules and their Interpretations and Explanations
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DECISION
Yes the fact that the new mark is further than 10 metres from the scoreline is irrelevant as
the original mark has set the point where the defending team must remain until the ball is
bought into play.
SITUATION 11:10
When can a team employ "freeze defence" tactics and do not have to come out to attempt
to effect a touch.
DECISION
The defending team can freeze their defence on the scoreline ANY time the player in
possession is within the area between, (not on), the 5 metres broken line, and the scoreline.
SITUATION 11:11
What happens when a defender, engaged in moving forward in an attempt to effect a
touch, jumps backwards to "milk" a penalty when the attacking player dumps thus
effecting a voluntary Rollball.
DECISION
A defending player, once engaged in the "no freeze" situation, will be penalised if they
back away from a touch whilst trying to "milk a penalty for a voluntary Rollball.
SITUATION 11:12
At what speed must a defender move forward once the Mexican Standoff Rule comes into
effect, and can the referee penalise a player for not moving forward fast enough, or direct
a player to move out faster.
DECISION
Speed is defined as moving forward (even at snails pace) and ONLY when the defender is
standing stationary, and has been warned, can the referee award a penalty. Referees cannot
determine a player is moving out too slow and direct them to move faster.
RULE 12 - BALL TOUCHED IN FLIGHT
1
Intentional Contact by Defender. If the ball goes to ground following a
defender's attempt to gain possession, the attacking team retains the ball and the
touch count restarts. This also applies if the defending player deliberately knocks
the ball to the ground. The mark where the Rollball occurs is where the ball first
pitches or where the defender touched the ball, whichever is of best advantage to
the attacking team.
2
Intentional Contact but not to Ground. If a defending player touches the ball in
flight and the ball is retrieved by an attacking player, play continues and the touch
count restarts at the next touch.
3
Intentional Contact and Touched again by Attacker. If an attacking player
attempts to gather the ball after a deflection by a defender and the ball goes to
ground, the attacking team retains possession and the touch count restarts as per
Rule 12.1. (See Referee Note A below).
(c) F.I.T. Rules and their Interpretations and Explanations
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4
Rebound and Ball to Ground. If the ball rebounds from a defending player who
has not made an attempt to retrieve the ball and the ball goes to ground, a change
of possession results and the play restarts with a Rollball where the ball first pitches
or where the ball rebounded from the defender, whichever is of best advantage to
the team gaining possession.
5
Rebounds but not to Ground. If the ball rebounds from a defending player who
has not made an attempt to retrieve the ball and the ball is regained by an attacking
player, play on and the touch count continues.
PLAYER NOTES
A.
If an attacking player considers a deflection from a defending player is difficult to
retrieve, the player may either let the ball go to ground and receive six (6) more
touches at the mark of best advantage, or the player may attempt to retrieve the
ball, and even if the ball then goes to ground receive six (6) more touches at the
mark of best advantage.
REFEREE NOTES
A.
In the case of Rule 12.3 above, the referee is to decide whether the deflection by
the defending player was the cause of the ball to ground.
B.
If a ball deflected from a defending player travels in a forward direction and is then
retrieved by a player of the attacking team, play should continue and Rule 12.2
applies.
C.
Unintentional contact by a defending player includes contact on the arms and hands
providing an attempt is not made to secure possession.
D.
If the ball is passed forward and then deflected or played at by a defending player
back to the attacking team or to ground, Rule 8.2 (Forward Pass) applies, with a
penalty to the defending team.
Explanation and Interpretations - Rule 12
SITUATION 12:1
An attacking player juggles the ball. The ball touches a defender whilst the ball is out of
the hands of the attacking player. The same attacking player subsequently catches the ball.
Has a touch been effected?
DECISION
A touch has not been effected as the defender was not playing at the ball - Rule 12.5.
However had the defender been playing at the ball then a touch would have been effected
SITUATION 12:2
The half crosses the attacking scoreline and passes the ball backwards to a team mate. The
ball is deflected by a defender and rebounds to the half who places the ball on the ground
claiming a touchdown.
(c) F.I.T. Rules and their Interpretations and Explanations
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DECISION
Touchdown is awarded. Once having passed the ball, the half becomes just another
attacking player. - Rule 12.2. - See Situation 9:15 and 9:16
RULE 13 - OFFSIDE
1
Attacking Team. A player in the attacking team is offside when that player is
forward of the player who has possession or who last had possession. In general
play, offside attacking players who interfere with play should be penalised.
2
Attacking Player Offside at Tap. Attacking players are to remain onside at a tap
until the ball has been tapped.
RULING - A change of possession at the mark (See Rules 6.2 and 15.4).
3
Defending Team. A player of the defending team is offside when the following
rules are infringed:
(a)
Rule 6.4 - at the commencement and recommencement of play.
(b)
Rule 9.4 - at the Rollball.
(c)
Rule 15.5 - at the tap for a penalty.
(d)
Rule 9 - Referee Note D - offside at a quick Rollball or tap.
RULING - A penalty awarded to the attacking team in accordance with the above rules.
PLAYER NOTES
A.
Attacking players who are offside are non-effective and should return to an onside
position as soon as possible.
B.
Offside defending players must at all times make an effort to retire to an onside
position.
C.
A defending player must have both feet on or behind the defending scoreline to be
onside when a Rollball occurs within five (5) metres, or a tap from a penalty within
ten (10) metres of that player's defending scoreline.
REFEREE NOTES
A.
Referees should note Rule 10.9 and notes on Rule 9.
B.
Defending players who are retiring should not normally be penalised while taking
no active part in the match.
C.
Refer to notes of Rule 15 for consecutive penalties.
(c) F.I.T. Rules and their Interpretations and Explanations
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Explanation and Interpretations - Rule 13
SITUATION 13:1
A support player overruns the player in possession and crosses the scoreline. The player
with the ball rolls it quickly and the half crosses the scoreline and delivers a correct pass to
the attacking player who originally overran the ball but had failed to return to an onside
position (either by virtue of the speed of the game or otherwise). This player grounds the
ball claiming a touchdown.
DECISION
Touchdown would be awarded as the half placed the offside player onside.
SITUATION 13:2
A defending player who is retiring extends his arms either by stretching them outwards or
upwards. Is such action against the Rules?
DECISION
The action constitutes passive obstruction and would be subject to warning or penalty, but
ONLY if an attacking player were impeded before the defender reaches an onside
position.
SITUATION 13:3
Defending players on the scoreline all have their arms out extended. Is such action against
the Rules?
DECISION
If a player not in possession of the ball is impeded by the extended arms etc. then there is a
possibility the support players is being obstructed and the referee will take appropriate
action..
RULE 14 - OBSTRUCTION
1
Attacking Team. Players of the attacking team are not to obstruct defending
players from attempting to effect a touch. A player in possession must not run or
otherwise move behind the referee or other players in the attacking team in an
attempt to avoid a touch.
Obstruction here is defined as a deliberate attempt by an attacking player to gain an
unfair advantage by preventing a defending player from effecting a touch.
RULING - A penalty awarded to the defending team at the mark where the infringement
occurred.
2
Defending Team. Players in the defending team are not to obstruct or otherwise
interfere with the attacking players supporting the player in possession.
RULING - A penalty awarded to the non-offending team at the mark of the infringement
providing the stoppage is not to the disadvantage of the attacking team.
(c) F.I.T. Rules and their Interpretations and Explanations
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PLAYER NOTES
A.
A player supporting the player in possession is entitled to run as necessary to
obtain the best supporting position. However, in moving to a supporting position,
attacking players must not deliberately interfere with defending players.
REFEREE NOTES
A.
Referees should note any changes in the line of support adopted by attacking
players. If the player in possession notices an obstruction by a team mate, the
player may stop and wait to be touched without being penalised.
B.
Accepted sub-unit skills such as wraps or run-arounds do not constitute an
obstruction.
C.
If a player in possession or a defender runs into the referee or the referee runs into
either of the players, "play on" should result if there is no advantage either way.
However, if the incident has an effect on the proceedings, a Rollball should be
called with no effect to the touch count.
Explanation and Interpretations - Rule 14
SITUATION 14:1
An attacking player runs behind one of their team mates and impedes a defender. He/She
realises the error and immediately stops to allow a defender to effect a touch on him/her.
DECISION
Touch counts. No obstruction no team has gained an unfair advantage.
SITUATION 14:2
A defending player after effecting a touch, attempts to retire, but has the player in
possession run at him along the same retiring path, hoping to solicit a penalty for offside,
or gain an advantage by having the referee call "play on". Is the defender entitled to retire
in any direction from the Rollball area ?
DECISION
A defender can retire in any direction after effecting a touch, but once they change their
line of direction, whether they interfere passively or not, they are still subject to a penalty if
they are within the area between the Rollball and the five metre line.
SITUATION 14:3
A defending player, attempting to retire, without interfering in the play, has the player in
possession running at him and is penalised for not retiring quickly enough. Is such a
decision correct ?
DECISION
Each such circumstance is different depending on the perception of the referee as to the
defender's intentions and actions. A defender should not be penalised for not retiring at a
fast speed, however they must retire immediately, not change their line of direction until
they have reached the five metre mark, and passive or any other interference is subject to a
penalty.
(c) F.I.T. Rules and their Interpretations and Explanations
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.......continued
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