TRL Rules

10 players from each team on the field at any one time (different in golden point).  Each half will be 18 minutes long with 2 minute half time break.  Please note that games maybe shortened or lengthened at the referee’s discretion in order to stick to the schedule.

In-game Scoring

  • Tries are worth 1 point

Ladder Points

  • Teams receive 4 ladder points for a win; 2 ladder points for a draw; 0 ladder points for a loss.
  • In addition to the above, teams can also receive bonus ladder points; 1 ladder point for every 5 tries scored in a game ("5 try rule"); and 1 ladder point if your team loses by 1 in-game try ("Lose by one try rule").

Kick off (Must Take)

  • The kickoff consists of a "must take" kick (a bomb kick) taken from before half way and occurs at the start of each half and after a try is scored.
    • The opening kick-off will be decided paper, scissors, rock
    • Subsequent kick-offs are performed by the non-scoring team (i.e. the non-scoring team kicks to the scoring team).
  • One attempt is permitted, and if the ball goes out of play or fails to go more than 10 m forward and 10 m vertically, then the receiving team gets a tap kick at halfway.
  • If the ball is not caught then the receiving team then performs another "must take" kick. The team that kicks the ball must provide a 10-meter gap for the player who is attempting to catch the ball (i.e. the team kicking off cannot regather the ball).

Spilt Milk

  • Just as with normal touch, TRL incorporates the rule of spilt milk.
    • However, kicks may touch the ground.
  • ‘Advantage’ will be enforced for the attacking team provided the ball has not hit the ground.
    • i.e. a forward pass, a fumble etc can be capitalised on by the opposition provided the ball does not hit the ground.

Kicking

  • Kicking is permitted in TRL BUT only after the 2nd touch. The referee will indicate when the 2nd touch has been completed.
  • Note that if the kicker regathers his own kick, he cannot score. He must pass the ball to another player or kick for another player in order for a try to be scored.

Play the ball

  • Ball MUST be played with the foot.
  • Running to the line and dumping the ball will result in a turnover in possession.
  • The defensive team can only move once the dummy half has picked up the ball or 3 seconds from the moment of playing the ball (whichever occurs first).

Dummy Half

  • Dummy half CAN get touched and CAN score (this is different from normal touch).

Ingoal area

  • If defensive team is touched in their ingoal, they must perform a dropout (which cannot be regathered).
    • If the dropout goes over the sideline, it is a simple tap from where it went out to the attacking team.
    • If the ball goes out over the deadball line at the other end of the field, the other team must perform a dropout.
  • If the attacking team is touched in goal before the last touch, they are entitled to bring the ball back to the 10m line for a tap as if they got touched on the 10m line. If it is the last, then it is simply a turnover.
  • If the defensive team catches the ball on the full in the ingoal area then they are entitled to bring the ball to the 10m line for a tap.

Golden point

  • If scores are equal at full time, the game enters a 5-minute "Golden Point" period. In this situation the team that scores the first try wins. During this period each team will drop back to 6 players (not 8) to allow for more space. If the scores are still tied after this period than the game is a draw.

AFL Rule

  • If the attacking team puts a kick into the ingoal area and a member of that team catches that ball on the full landing in the ingoal area, this will be deemed a try.
    • What is important is that the person catching the ball lands in the ingoal. (i.e. they can leap from outside the field of play).

Chargedowns

  • Chargedowns are permitted and are the chief exception to the spilt milk rule. However, there must be an actual attempt to charge the ball down.

Voluntary Touch

  • If the ball runner puts his hand out and touches the defending player, this will be deemed a voluntary touch. The result will be a turnover of possession.

Compromise Rule

  • Where the defending team has not made a play at the ball but has deflected it away from the attacking team, the attacking team is to play the ball as if a touch has been effected. [Note: This is only where an attempted pass has been made, not where the ball has been kicked. Where the ball has been kicked into the defending player and it ricochets over the sideline and he/she has not played at the ball, the defending team will obtain possession].

 

Please not that while it is not mandatory for players on a team to wear the same colours or have a uniform, it is encouraged.

If you have any questions or problems, please call Cameron McIntosh on 0409 382 563