“One-Touch” is a version of Touch Rugby where there is only one phase of possession.

As there is only one opportunity to score, it involves an incredible amount of lateral movement, evasion skills and risky passing, all that wouldn’t be considered necessary in the structured, internationally recognised, version of 6 Touch.

Whilst 6 Touch has evolved over many years from its roots as a Rugby League training game, “one Touch” is a game that has originated from the code of Rugby Union.

Currently there are more people playing the One-Touch version of the game in South Africa, despite not be able to achieve any form of representative honours.

Whilst women are more than welcome to play One-Touch, mixed One-Touch competitions have never flourished. Either the men who traditionally play the sport are too sensitive to invite their partners or the sport does not favour the fairer sex due to it lack of structure and reliance on physical attributes such as speed and agility.

No official, or internationally sanctioned, rules for One-Touch exist. In 2 Touch however, has formulated its own unique set of copyrighted rules that have been used in leagues in South African since 1995. A set of rules will be given to each team on the first night of touch, however below are some key rules to give you a better idea of the game.

• Games are 40 minutes in duration with 20-minute halves.
• There are 5 players on the field at any one time. Any amount of Substitutes can be played.
• Field Size – 45 Metres long * 40 Metres wide
• The referee is stationed along the touch Line (and not in the middle of the field).
• Once a touch has been made on an attacking player that player should immediately place the ball on the mark and retreat 5 metres.
• Tapping the ball on any part of the body and immediately passing commences play.
• Defending players always need to retreat 5 metres before they can touch the player.

One-Touch leagues have been launched in Wimbledon and Leytonstone throughout 2004. Throughout the Winter and 2005 we look forward to grow and develop this unique code at venues throughout London, inclunding one-off events and astro-turf leagues.

Click here to enter your team into a One-Touch league!

We are always looking for one-touch referees and officials – please contact us at info@in2touch.com should you be keen to get involved as well as earn some money for your troubles.