Glossary

Forward pass: Always tricky for referees to judge, forward passes are the main point of discussions on the side line and after the game.

Half: The player who takes possession of the ball after a roll ball. The half can’t score a touchdown; and if they get touched with the ball in their hands, their team loses possession of the ball.

Link: Name of the position and players positioned between middles and wingers. They are the most deceptive runners and the best ball handlers.

Mark: The exact point where the touch is made and the roll ball is performed.

Middle: Name of the position and players occupying the ‘middle’ of the field. Middles are the most consistent and fittest players in the team.

Offside: Referee's favourite call. It means that you haven’t gone backwards enough to be onside and therefore you get penalised.

Over the Mark: Infringement when the ball handler does not perform the roll ball on the exact point where they have been touched. It results in a penalty for the defensive team.

Referee: Referees are a key component of the sport. They don’t have the same jersey, but they share the same passion.

Ruck: Area where the roll ball occurs with the ball carrier, the defender and the half.

Roll ball: Normal act of bringing the ball into play following a touch or a change of possession. Players should perform a roll ball by controlling the ball and placing it on the ground while stepping over it, facing their scoreline. It is the specific move of Touch.

Tap: The method of commencing the match, recommencing the match after half-time and after a touchdown has been scored. It is also a method of recommencing play when a penalty is awarded.

Team Sheet: Information form that needs to be signed by every player involved in a game. Players must have their name on the team sheet and sign the team sheet to be covered by the competition insurance.

Touch: Contact on any part of the body between a player in possession of the ball and a defending player. A touch includes contact on the ball, hair or clothing, and may be made by a defending player or by the player in possession.

Wing: Name of the position and players occupying the side part of the field. They are usually the fastest players in the team, as they have to cover a large part of the width of the field.

Click here to see the full version of the FIT Playing Rules 4th Edn., 2013