General. Players who infringe the Rules of Touch are liable to penalty or other appropriate action according to the seriousness of the infringement. Penalties are to be awarded in accordance with applicable rules.
Frequent Infringements. A Player who continually breaches the playing rules is liable for dismissal. Team captains are responsible for the conduct of players in their respective teams and should be aware that undisciplined players are disruptive to the spirit of the game.
Dismissals. Any player may be dismissed as follows:
Period of Time. A player dismissed for repeated infringements or any offence requiring more than a penalty is to move from the field of play and remain in a position midway along the team's attacking scoreline and no closer than five (5) metres to the scoreline. The dismissed player cannot be replaced.
Remainder of match. A player dismissed after any previous 'Period of Time' dismissal, or for an offence such as gross misconduct or a dangerous act is to take no further part in that match and is to move to and remain not closer then ten (10) metres from the scoreline. The dismissed player cannot be replaced and that player shall receive an automatic two (2) match suspension and may incur further penalty as deemed necessary by the federation of International Touch Judiciary Committee.
Striking Officials. Any player who is found guilty of striking and/or assaulting an official, referee or line judge is liable to disqualification from playing the game of Touch for life.
Disciplinary Reports. Officials are required to submit dismissal reports or any other reports required in accordance with the governing regulations of Federation of International Touch.
Misconduct. Players guilty of misconduct will be penalised and could be excluded from the match. Misconduct includes:
Continual breaches of the rules;
Swearing;
Back chatting referees or other match officials;
Bad sporting behaviour;
Fighting;
Using physical force in making a touch;
Attacking the head of an opponent;
Tripping;
Any other action which is not in the spirit of the game.
A player sent from the field for a period for time is to remain at the midpoint of the attacking scoreline until recalled by the referee. Such a player is allowed to join his team mates at halftime.
The referee is the sole judge of time in relation to dismissed players.
A referee is required to advise the team captain as to the reason for a player's dismissal.
Referees must submit a written report on players sent from the field for the remainder of the match.
Referees may suggest to captains to replace infringing players for the remainder of the match otherwise the player may be sent off and suspended and the team reduced in playing numbers.
Besides the constitutional authority empowered to the Federation of International Touch these rules also provides for:
Powers for the General Committee and/or Executive Committee to make appropriate by-laws or regulations.
Power to inquire into and deal with any act.
Powers to be given to a Judiciary.
Power to alter Tournament Rules for the benefit of the Sport and/or the safety of the participants.
Coaches and officials deemed guilty of misconduct will be reported to the appropriate officials and be liable to disciplinary action.
In Rule 17.3 (b), what is the definition of a two (2) match suspension from all matches conducted by any Touch Association?
Two (2) matches refers to the period of time it takes for two matches to be completed by the team in the division from which the player was suspended. A bye does not count as a match completed.
The balance of the statement refers to the player being ineligible to play in ANY competition in ANY Affiliate or competition under the auspices of the Australian Touch Association.
A player plays men's open on Monday night, mixed open on Tuesday night and over 30's on Wednesday night. He is sent from the field of play for the remainder of the game on Monday night and incurs a two match suspension. His men's team has a bye next week. When he can resume playing?
He is suspended from the other games in week 1, ALL the games in weeks 2 and 3 and the men's open game only in week 4. Two weeks is the period of time it usually takes for the team the player was suspended from, to play two games. If a team fails to qualify for the semi-finals and the player is suspended during the last game of the competition, that player is eligible to play after the second game (i.e., the final or grand final) as if that team had won both the semi and the following game.
Can a player appeal against an automatic two match suspension?
Yes. Unless an Association's constitution specifically denies it, a player may appeal to the Executive of an Association against an automatic two match suspension.
An interceptor proceeds downfield, remains in the field of play one metre from the scoreline, turns around to face the defenders, and waits for a defender to come near then places the ball on or over the scoreline. Is this misconduct?
No - Allow Touchdown.
A defending player calls for the ball and the attacking player instinctively passes to the player. What action can the referee take?
Such a situation is not gamesmanship but misconduct (against the spirit of the game) and subject to penalty or other action. See Rule 17.6.
The attacking team throws a big pass which 'accidentally on purpose goes well out over the sideline after the fifth touch has been made, as a ploy to slow down the changeover procedure. What can the referee do?
Until the sixth touch is made or the ball goes to ground, there is no change over procedure that can come into effect, therefore the rules governing it cannot apply. If the referee sees this trend in the game he could warn the offending team that it is considered misconduct and therefore subject to penalty or other action .- See Rule 17.6
A player is sent from the field for a period of time. Whilst standing behind the teams attacking scoreline the player is yelling encouragement and/or coaching hints to his players. Is such action allowed?
Provided there is no interference with the opposition team, the player is allowed to encourage / coach his team mates from his position. The fact he is suspended from the field and is not allowed to be involved in the game, (as opposed to being dismissed for the whole game), is sufficient penalty. - See Rule 17 PN A