| These rules discuss the most common form of touch as governed by the Federation of International Touch but minor local variations are common. A team is composed of up to 14 players, 6 of whom are on the field at any one time. The goal is to score more 'Touchdowns' than the other team. One touchdown is counted as one point. Definition - the touch The main defensive tactic in the game of touch is similar to a tackle in other codes of rugby. It forces the attacking team to stop and restart play (see Rollball). A 'Touch' is performed by the defensive team on any part of the body or clothing of the current ball carrier for the attacking team, or the ball itself. At the moment of a touch it is customary for the defensive player who is performing the touch to shout 'touch', which alerts both the attacking and defensive teams and the referee that the player has been touched. After six touches, possession transfers from the attacking to the defensive team. The 'Mark' is the position where the ball carrier was touched and the ensuing rollball must be performed. If a hand over is considered to be not in good sportsmanship a 'Penalty' may be awarded. This may be if the ball was thrown to the ground, or not given to the opposition by hand. If a player passes the ball after a touch has been made it is "Touch and Pass" and is penalised by the loss of possession.  Rollball The ball carrier must perform the rollball when he has been touched by the opposition. The rollball is performed by placing the ball on the mark, and either rolling the ball backwards, or stepping forward over it. The ball is picked up by another player on the attacking team, who is known as the 'Half' or 'Dummy Half' for that play.
Dummy half (aka half)  Dummy half is the player who takes possession of the ball during the rollball. The role ends when the dummy half passes the ball, so that none of the restrictions of the position apply if the player receives the ball again during the play. The dummy half can run with the ball but the ball is typically passed from the mark where the rollball took place. If a dummy half is touched with the ball before passing, the attacking team loses possession. The dummy half cannot score a touchdown. As soon as the dummy half touches the ball, the defence has the right to move. A time constraint is set upon the dummy half and if the player takes too long in retrieving the ball a penalty may be rewarded to the opposition. Any player other than the player who rolls the ball can become the dummy half.
The Tap Ball Play is started from the 'Tap Ball' because it is either the start of the game, the second half, or the resumption of play after a touchdown or penalty. The tap ball is performed by a player placing the ball on the ground, touching the ball with their foot, then picking it up and playing. The defensive team must stay at a distance of 10 metres from the mark during the tap ball. The defensive players can move after the ball carrier has touched the ball with his foot. The player who has performed the tap ball may be touched without losing possession.
The Penalty On being awarded a penalty, the resultant ball carrier must perform a tap ball. The referee announces the resumption of the play with the blow of a whistle. A temporary exclusion (two minutes) or final could be sanctioned if the referee estimates that a player behaves in an aggressive way in his connection or with regard to other players. A Penalty is granted to an opponent team if:
o The ball is passed forward
o A touch and pass is committed (a pass after being touched)
o A player does not perform the rollball from the mark (overstepping)
o An obstruction is committed
o If a player acts in a contrary way to the rules (offside, timewasting, brutal touch, false telling of touch, dispute with a decision of the referee)
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