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About Oxford Touch

Who or what is Oxford Touch?
Oxford Touch is a friendly touch rugby club that has been playing touch in Oxford since 2006. We are now part of Gosford All Blacks RFC, based in Kidlington, just north of Oxford. We regularly have new faces turning up and we welcome people of all ages and abilities, men and women to come and join-in with us. We play amongst ourselves throughout the year, and in the spring/summer we compete in an Oxford-based league and in tournaments throughout the UK and (occasionally) Europe. 

Can I come and give it a go?
Of course! We usually play on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7pm at Gosford All Blacks RFC (map). You can pay as you play (£3 per session) until you've decided if touch is for you, so just come along and join in - or contact us for more info. 

Is touch for me?
Probably. Touch really is suitable for all ages, men and women, whether or not you've ever held a rugby ball before, and whatever your current level of fitness. We count total newcomers and seasoned international players amongst our members, but there's only one way to find out for sure - come and have a go!

Do you cater for children?
We do not run a children's or youth's section, but we are very happy for youths to join in with us, with parental consent (we suggest this may be most suitable for those 14 years and above, but there are no hard and fast rules). Please get in touch if you've any doubts or questions about this. For younger children Gosford All Blacks RFC's mini or junior rugby may be more appropriate - please contact Mark Gardner.

What do I need?
There's no need for any special equipment - shirt, shorts, and trainers or boots with moulded studs are all you need. Boots with studs are not permitted in touch, but if it's wet and that's all you have then don't let it put you off coming along (though we may ask you to stop wearing them if you stick around to save our toes!). We have an excellent club-house with good changing rooms and hot showers which you are welcome to use.

How much is it?
We ask for a donation of £3 per session to come along and have a go for a few sessions. If you enjoy it and stick around we'll ask you to become a member.

When do you play/train?
We play amongst ourselves throughout the year, usually on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7pm. Mondays tend to be structured coaching sessions and on Wednesdays we play a more informal game. Whenever you come along there will be someone on hand to show you the ropes. In the spring/summer we also play matches and tournaments against other clubs, usually at the weekends.

Where do you play/train?
Gosford All Blacks RFC, Stratfield Brake, Frieze Way, Kidlington, Oxford. OX5 1UP (map)

Matches take place throughout the UK and (occasionally) elsewhere in Europe.

I've got another question that isn't answered here - now what?
Cool. Get in touch and we'll try to help.

Policy
Oxford Touch's operational policy is available to download: GAB Touch Section Policy.

About Touch

Touch is a minimal contact sport played worldwide by men, women and children of all ages. Touch started in Australia as a social park game and as a training technique for rugby league teams during the 1950s and '60s. The game emphasizes running, agility and ball-handling skills such as passing and catching. Whilst not a professional sport, touch does offer serious competitions in various countries including a World Cup.

Touch is played on a pitch half the size of a rugby pitch. Each team has six players on the pitch at any one time. The basic rules of rugby apply, with passing only allowed backwards, offside defined by the ball and the touch, and touchdowns (tries) scored in the same way as in rugby union. Possession changes after six touches, unless the ball goes to ground in which case it is handed over immediately.

These videos will give you a bit of a flavour...

Touch Rules

In brief:
  • Game duration: Two 20-minute halves with a 1-minute half time.
  • Play starts and restarts at the centre with a “tap”. This is performed by moving the ball on the ground with the foot, free from the hands, and then picking it up. Penalties are performed by the same procedure. On both a re-start and penalty the defending team must retreat at least 10 metres.
  • Six players are allowed on the field at any one time, with any amount of reserves off the field. Reserves can be continuously substituted at any time from one side of the field. The substituting players must make contact with each other behind the sideline.
  • A try is scored by grounding the ball on, or behind, the try-line. One point is awarded in men’s,women’s and mixed leagues.
  • A legal touch is on any part of the body, clothing and ball. A player must claim a touch by raising a hand and shouting, “Touch”. The referee is the sole judge of the touch and has the discretion to overrule a claim. (Play to the whistle). An attacking player may affect the touch by deliberately touching the opposition.
  • When touched, the player in possession must place the ball on the ground at the exact point of the touch. Play is re-started by stepping over the ball. It can be controlled with a hand or foot. This is known as a ROLLBALL. The ball may not roll more than a metre. A player may not perform a rollball unless touched.
  • The player picking up the ball (the dummy-half or acting half) may run, but if touched a changeover occurs. The dummy-half may not score and a changeover (rollball) will be awarded if this occurs.
  • After 6 touches possession changes. The attacking team begins play on the “first down”, starting with a “rollball”.
  • All defending players must retire more than 5 metres in line with the mark of touch. The defending team cannot move forward until play restarts, nor interfere with play whilst retreating. A restart occurs the moment the ball is tapped or the dummy-half touches the ball at the roll ball. If there is no dummy-half in position (within 1 metre of the mark) defenders may advance from an on-side position.
  • If the attacking player, when making a quick start, is touched by an off-side defender, play is allowed to continue. If an attacking side gains no advantage, a penalty tap for the first down will be given.
  • When a rollball is taken within 5 metres of the scoreline the defending players must retreat with both feet to behind their scoreline before they can make the touch. If a player is touched in the touchdown zone before grounding the ball the touch counts and play is restarted on the 5-metre line. At all times no team may delay the game by deliberately delaying a roll ball.
  • If the ball is dropped or if a player crosses the sideline before being touched, change of possession will occur. This is by means of a roll ball.
  • A penalty is awarded for the following infringements; a forward pass, offside play, performing a roll ball over the mark, claiming a Touch when none was made, interfering with the roll ball (running around the ruck) and passing the ball once touched. When a penalty is awarded, the referee will advance 10 metres from where the infringement occurred. The referee must give the exact mark from where the Tap Ball must be taken. The defending team must retire 10 metres from the mark or behind the try-line.
  • If the defending team unsuccessfully intercepts the ball or it is intentionally knocked down, the attacking team starts from a “first down” roll ball.
  • The principle of advantage will be applied.
  • No obstruction, excessive contact, verbal abuse or foul play will be tolerated – the referee is sole judge. A penalty will be awarded in such cases and a player can receive 2 minutes in the SIN BIN. Serious or continual foul play of any nature will result in the player being sent off without a replacement.