Touch is the area outside two
touch-line
The touch-line is the line on either side of the playing area of a game of rugby league, rugby union and association football. In many other sports it is called a sidelines, side-line.
The continuation of the touch-line beyond the goal (sport), g ...
s which define the sides of the playing area in a game of
rugby football
Rugby football is the collective name for the team sports of rugby union and rugby league.
Canadian football and, to a lesser extent, American football were once considered forms of rugby football, but are seldom now referred to as such. The ...
. As the touch-lines are not part of the playing area they are usually included as part of touch.
When a ball is "kicked into touch", it means that it has been kicked out of the playing area into the touch area. In American sports usage, the phrase "out of bounds" signifies the same as "touch."
See also
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Touch judge A touch judge is an official who monitors the touch-line in a game of rugby union or rugby league and raises a flag if the ball (or player carrying it) goes into touch. Touch judges also stand behind the posts to confirm that a goal has been scored ...
s, the officials who monitor the touch-lines
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Out of bounds
In sports, out of bounds (or out-of-bounds) refers to being outside the playing boundaries of the field. Due to the chaotic nature of play, it is normal in many sports for players and/or the ball to go out of bounds frequently during a game. T ...
References
External links
Laws of Rugby Union
Rugby league terminology
Rugby union terminology
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