Brief Introduction of Touch Rugby

The objective of the game is for each team to score ‘touchdowns’ or ‘tries’ and to prevent the opposition from scoring.The ball may be passed, knocked or handed between on-side players of the attacking team, who may, in turn, run or otherwise move with the ball in an attempt to gain territorial advantage and score. Defending players prevent the attacking team from gaining a territorial advantage by touching the ball carrier. Either defending or attacking players may initiate the touch.

Teams can consist of up to a maximum of 14 players, 6 on the field at any one time. It is popular practice to form teams of between 8 and 10 to help encourage maximum involvement.

A try is awarded when an attacking player places the ball on the ground, on or over the defending team’s try line. A try is worth 1 point. The person who takes the role of ‘dummy-half’(the person who receives the ball from the player starting the game) can cross the try-line, but not score. After a team scores, the play begins again with a tap in the middle of the field by the non-scoring team.

Reporter: Andre Kumar Alexander

D Block

Year 1, SDE

Andre Kumar Alexander describes himself as Citius, Altius and Fortius (translation: “Swifter, Higher, Stronger”) which is the Olympic Motto. How fitting for someone who finds enjoyment hitting the roads, nope, not in a vehicle, but in shorts, lycra singlet and a favourite pair of running shoes. Andre’s passion for running is evident. He arrived at our photo-taking session in his running attire, apparently having ran all the way from SRC (where he trains) back to Eusoff Block A. While most of us who find running long kilometres dreary, Andre finds it therapeutic, almost -uplifting. Steve Prefontaine, an American long and middle-distance runner from the 1970s era, ranks tops in Andre’s list of sporting icons to meet. As for the list of girls he’d like to meet, to be on it, you’d have to exude determination and confidence, and we think it won’t hurt if you love running too.