Touch football is a popular recreational and extra-curricular sport played by athletes who may not want to make the commitment or may not have the ability to play tackle football. It is a game that is dominated by passing with just a few running plays to keep the defense off balance. While touch football can be timed and the winner is the team with the most points after time is up, it is typically played until one team has scored a prescribed number of touchdowns.
Basics of the Game
Touch football can be played anywhere. When it is played as an intramural spot, it is regularly played on a grass field with six or seven players on each team. Instead of playing on a full-sized football field, the field is usually 60 by 40 yards. Players need to come down with one foot inbounds after making a reception, even if the player is forced out. Instead of needing to make 10 yards to make a first down, it takes three complete passes to make a first down. There are no field goals or extra points.
Eligible Receivers
In games involving teams with six or seven players, every player may be eligible to receive a pass. Teams can send out all their players on pass patterns. Since every receiver has to be accounted for, that leaves only one player to rush the passer. That player may have to wait five seconds before he can go after the quarterback. He must count "One Mississippi, Two Mississippi" until he gets to five. That will give the quarterback time to find an open receiver and throw the ball.
Blocking
Blocking is allowed in touch football. A bigger and stronger team may elect to use that strength by throwing short passes to set up receivers with excellent blocking for the chance to make big plays. Touch football means touching the player with the ball with two hands to end the play. This can be difficult if the team with the ball has excellent blocking.
Honor System
In two-hand touch, both the player making the touch and the player who is touched have to be on the honor system. In many cases, it's obvious when a player is touched and the play is over. In other cases, the player may be touched by fingertips. In those cases, the players who are touched have to be honest and admit they were touched. Conversely, the player who made the touch cannot exaggerate and say he made the touch when he did not. Players who are dishonest will not be allowed to continue.
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