Current rules (pdf) 8th Edition Rules TFA 2020 (TFA Beginners hub)
(Previous versions of rules are below)
Rule changes over time
Rugby league origins – The first rules were based on rugby league, but without the tackle, of course. On a full size rugby league field, six touches, a marker at the play-the-ball, and no kicking except at start of game and no scrums.
For example: 1974 Brisbane Touch Rules:
BTFA-Rules-1974-printToPDFDropped ball in any direction
In Touch football any drop of the ball, forward or backwards, means the ball is turned over to the opposition
Unlimited player interchange
Unlimited interchange of players is allowed. This means the game never really slows down. The number of reserves is limited, though, often to 14 players.
Kick-off – no longer
At various times over the years, at the beginning of the game or after a try was scored; a team would kick off the ball into the opposition’s territory.
In 1982, the kick-off was replaced with a tap from half way. Some social competitions still start play with a kick.
Marker – no longer
In rugby league, after a tackle is made, one or two players are allowed to stand in front of the person playing the ball after a tackle. If there was no marker, the ball could be tapped forward and picked up by the person playing the ball.
Originally in touch, one marker was allowed.
Now in Touch Football, a marker is no longer allowed at all. All defensive players must retire 7 meters.
Acting-half – cannot score or be touched
Prior to 1988 the acting half (or dummy-half), could score a try.
Since 1989, an acting-half cannot score a touchdown. If the acting-half is touched, the ball is turned over to the other side. The reason for the change was, without a marker, it was too easy for an acting-half to score when close to the try-line.
Touch and Pass
The touch and pass rule was introduced early on to speed up and improve the game, as players would frequently run on for many metres after being touched and waste time in returning to the mark to play the ball.
Footwear
There were many great debates during the early years over rule changes. The first major debate which started in 1979 was over the introduction of the compulsory wearing of shoes and socks. Some thought it would slow down the game, whereas others saw that touch needed to become more professional looking. In 1980, the Queensland Touch Association (QTA) decided that wearing footwear and socks be enforced at the inaugural state championships held in October 1982. The original socks worn were long rugby style socks, which progressed to shorter ankle socks, and it was not until the late 1980s that ankle socks became the fashion and are now in place everywhere.
Defending teams must be 7 meters back from the last touch.
Originally in touch football it was 5 meters, with the referee sometimes enforcing from 5 to 10 meters (an interpretation!) . It is now defined as 7 meters.
Defence must move up when close to the try-line
In the 1980s, it became a tactic not to move up in defence when defending your try-line. Unfortunately, the game developed to the point where touchdowns were hard to come by, especially when teams stayed on their try line in defence – known as a “Mexican standoff”. This necessitated another change in the rules to ensure the defensive team did not stay glued to their try line.
As a result, when the play the ball is within seven meters of the try-line, the defensive players must move forward at a reasonable pace until the next touch.
Play-the-ball without the foot
Originally, in rugby league style, the ball was played backward (or forward if no marker) with the foot. The play-the-ball had to be with the foot and no more than a metre backwards or forwards.
This was eventually changed to a role or placement of the ball, and now most players simply place the ball on the mark and step over it.
Effecting the touch
In the beginning the touch was made by the defender, but later on this developed to the touch often being effected by the attacker as he or she simultaneously plays the ball. This change in style of play has sped up the tempo of the game markedly. Minimum force must be use in making the touch.
Game Duration
The game was originally played for 30 minutes a half, but due to the popularity of the sport, this was reduced to 20 to 25 minutes a half so that more games could be played.
Some tournaments play less time due to the number of games being played.
Play-on (instead of a penalty)
Another rule change made in the mid 1980s was that if a player is offside in defence, the referee has an option to call “play on” rather than award a penalty.
Field size
In 1983, after much debate, Queensland followed New South Wales and began playing seven-a-side touch on half a rugby field.
Substitution zone
In the 1980s, an area called the box was designated ten meters either side of the half way. Players have to interchange from the box. The player leaving the field must be in the box before the replacement player goes on to the field.
Number of players on the field – generally 6 a side
The original number of on-field players was eight, with no restriction on the total number in the team and no restriction on the amount of interchanges.
Then as touch became more popular and moved to half-size fields, the number of on-field players was reduced to seven, then six. Some competitions still play seven or eight a-side touch.
In the 1990s, six-a-side touch was introduced. This was a result of many games at high level becoming very low scoring events with seven players on a half sized field. The reduction of players on the field saw the players develop new skills. (long passing etc.)
In most games, the total number of all players in a team is not restricted, but generally most teams run with a maximum of 14 players.
In knock-outs, and interstate and international competitions, etc. team numbers, numbers are restricted, usually to 14 players.
For mixed competitions, no more than three males are allowed on the field.
Send-offs and sin bin
If necessary, players are sent from the field for a “period of time” (time was at the referee’s discretion) or for the remainder of the game. Now the time is defined as 4 sets of possession.
There is also a “the Three Penalty Exclusion Zone rule in the 8th Edition Rules” for 3 defensive infringements in a row.
Drop-off : Deciding drawn games when required
Originally, drawn games at events where a winner had to be declared (knockouts and finals) were decided on a count back of for and against points etc.
Then in 1979 a “shoot out” system was introduced. (by Dave Brown of Cavaliers Touch Club) The shoot out involved each team choosing two players to attack and score against one defending player in a small playing area, about 10 metres long by five metres wide. As with soccer, each team had five attempts and the team that scored the most touchdowns were declared the winner.
In 1982 At the Queensland championships in Rockhampton, the shoot out was replaced by the “drop off” system. After full time the game would continue with less and less players until a touchdown was scored, After each minute of extra time both teams would reduce their number of players by one. If no touchdowns were scored, the reduction of players would keep occurring until three players were left. If at any stage during the extra time a touch-down was scored by either team, a result was declared and the game finished at once.
The first drop-off game played in Queensland was between two boys teams at the state championships in searing heat, the two teams went down to three players and play continued for close to half an hour. No interchanges were made (not sure if this was the rules or just not thought of) and the young players suffered. After this event, the rules were clarified to allow interchanges during a drop-off.
Previous Versions of rules
2000 Touch Football Australia Rules 7th Edition
1996 6th edition – no copy available
1995 5th edition – no copy available
1980 Rules Australian Touch Football Association (ATA)
1975 Metropolitan Touch Football Brisbane