Touch football is an enjoyable game for kids who are not going to play organized tackle football. There isn't a need for uniforms, pads or helmets, only a ball, players and an area to play the game. Because the game is touch football and not tackle, games are played on the street or concrete surfaces as often as they are played on grass.
Contact
Touch football is not a non-contact game. A play ends when a player from the defensive team puts two hands on the player from the offensive team who has the ball. While there is no tackling, blocking is legal. One offensive player may put his body in front of a defensive player who is about to put two hands on the ball carrier. However, you may not hit anybody from behind and you may not block any opponent at knee level or below.
Field of Play
Set up the field of play before the start of the game. Games may be played on school-yard fields. A touch football field can be 80 yards by 40 yards. Use this size field if you have eight players or more on each team. However, if you are playing with fewer players, set up a smaller field. Set up boundaries so players know where the field of play ends. You can do this with plastic cones or items such as school book bags or jackets.
First Downs
In touch football, teams usually make first downs by getting a certain number of completed passes. For example, if the touch football game is played between four players with two on offense and two on defense, three completed passes may be required for a first down. If a team does not complete three passes in a four-down series, the opponent gets possession. However, if a team throws two incomplete passes on first and second down, it can go for a deep pass and try to get a touchdown on either or both of the next two plays to avoid turning the ball over to the opponent.
Rushing the Quarterback
In touch football, all players are eligible to receive passes. To give the team with the ball a reasonable opportunity to make plays, the defensive team must delay rushing the passer. Rushers must wait four seconds before trying to tag the quarterback. The defensive player must shout "One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi, Three-Mississippi, Four-Mississippi" before he crosses the line of scrimmage in an attempt to touch the quarterback or deflect the pass.
Winning the Game
Touch football is not played with a clock. It is typically played by scoring a predetermined number of touchdowns. For example, in a game where each team has six players, the two teams may play until the winning team has scored seven touchdowns. In a game where two players square off with each other and touchdowns are plentiful, the game may be played to 10 or 15 touchdowns.
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