Dummy-half the player who next touches the ball after a rollball and who passes the ball from the ground to the first receiver. The dummy-half may not score and a changeover (rollball) will be awarded if the dummy-half is touched.
Attacking Team the team in legal possession of the ball.
Defending Team the team without the ball.
Halfway Line the line that divides the field into halves and the line on or behind which attackers must stand for the commencement or recommencement of the game.
Halfway Mark the point in the centre of the halfway line from where the play is started or recommenced.
Field of Play the full size of the Touch field is 50m wide and 70m long. It is bound by try-lines and sidelines, which extend 5 - 10m past the try-line. Players must stay within these confines.
Infringement a breach of the rules of the game and results in possession being awarded to the non-offending team, and/or six touches being awarded and/or a player being dismissed from the field.
Infringements (penalties) subject to the above actions are:
- Passing the ball after being touched and prior to performing the rollball (touch and pass);
- Stepping on or outside the sidelines;
- Not performing the rollball at the mark where the touch was made;
- Passing the ball forward;
- Not returning the ball to the mark or not handing it to the closest opponent when there is a change of possession;
- A defender failing to effect a touch, but claiming a touch;
- Obstruction;
- Changing direction in retreat during defence (i.e. defender must choose and continue in their line of retreat until onside);
- Defence not advancing forward towards 5m line;
Mark The mark is the position where the attacking player is at the time a touch is made or of greater advantage to the non offending team at an infringement.
Offside is being:
- In front of your team mate who has the ball;
- Not retiring 10m after an infringement;
- Being inside 5m (and not making an effort to retire) when the attacking player rolls the ball.
Onside means being in line with or behind a team mate who is legally able to participate in the game (e.g. back 5m).
Pass the action of throwing or otherwise propelling the ball to a team mate who is beside (but not forward of you) or behind you.
Penalty the action of the referee in awarding a Tap when a player or team infringes the rules of the game.
Rollball the action of restarting play after a touch or after a changeover. It is performed by placing the ball on the ground and stepping over it or rolling the ball gently through the legs (not more than 1m).
Tap the act of placing the ball on the ground, releasing it and tapping the ball gently with the foot. It is used to commence or recommence play (at the start of the game and at the restart after half time, after a penalty, or after a try has been scored).
Touch any contact on any part of the body, hair, clothing or ball of the attacking player. 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.
Touchdown the action of scoring when a player in possession (not the dummy-half) places the ball on or over their teams attacking try-line, without being touched.
