The Toss. Team captains are to toss the coin in the presence of the referee with the winning captain's team receiving possession for the commencement of the first half, the choice of direction for the first half and the choice of Interchange areas for the duration of the match, including extra time.
Attacking Team. The attacking team is to start the match with a tap at the centre of the halfway line following the indication to commence play from the referee. All players of the attacking team are to remain in an onside position until the ball has been tapped.
RULING - A change of possession at the centre of the halfway line.
Method. The tap is taken by placing the ball on the ground at or behind the mark, releasing both hands from the ball, tapping the ball with either foot a distance of not more than one (1) metre, and retrieving the ball cleanly. Any player of the attacking team may take the tap. Any onside player of the attacking team may retrieve the ball once the tap has been taken.
RULING - A change of possession at the mark for the tap.
Defending Team. All players of the defending team are required to retire a distance of not less then ten (10) metres from the mark for the tap. Defending players may move forward of their positions once the ball has been tapped with the foot.
RULING - A penalty awarded to the attacking team along a line ten (10) metres directly forward of the original mark.
Recommencement of Play. For the recommencement of play following a halftime break, teams shall change directions and the team losing the toss is to start the match with a tap as described in Rules 6.2 and 6.3. For the recommencement of play following the scoring of a touchdown, the team against which the score was made is to recommence play as described in Rules 6.2 and 6.3.
Kicking. The ball cannot be kicked or played with the foot except when taking a tap or a Rollball. The half may use the foot to control the ball.
RULING - A penalty awarded to the non-offending team at the position where the ball made contact with the foot.
A player taking the tap may face any direction to take the tap and may be forward of the halfway line.
The player taking the tap is to wait until the referee indicates the mark prior to tapping the ball.
Players may take the ball behind the mark for a tap up to a maximum of ten (10) metres. No sideways movement from the mark is allowed.
Referees are to ensure that there is minimum delay between the scoring of a touchdown and the recommencement of play.
Referees should penalise players who attempt to delay play following a touchdown. If the team scored against causes the delay, the penalty should be awarded from the centre of the halfway line. If the team who scored is causing the delay, the penalty should be awarded at a mark ten (10) metres forward of the halfway line.
A team is awarded a penalty and decides to take the ball back ten (10) metres from the mark. How close to where the tap is being taken, can the defending team move?
The defending team cannot move within ten metres of the MARK indicated by the referee, until the ball has been tapped (Rule 6.4). The fact the attacking team can move the ball up to ten metres behind the mark (Rule 6 Player Note C), does not allow the defence to move any closer than ten metres from the MARK as indicated by the referee.