TGI Flag Rules

  • TGI Flag is the latest craze in recreational sport that has competitions running in Wellington as well as the Hutt Valley
  • It is a game based on being the only true non-contact form of Rugby League.
  • What makes this game different to others is the fact that it uses a tag system based on velcro which creates an attacking sport with an average of 16 tries per 40 minute match.
  • Whereas in Touch the defenders have the advantage, in TGI Flag the attacking team has the advantage (you run at spaces not faces) this occurs due to the fact that there is more room to move because you have to get a tag on the side of the shorts instead of the whole body. The tag also prevents phantoms.
  • In TGI Flag you use all your skills including kicking. Passing becomes an attacking weapon, unlike in Touch, because if you put someone into a gap 90% of the time they will not be tagged and thus make a clean break. You can also go to the line and do around the corner passes because the defender must go low to tag.
  • The game is non-contact and the rules are designed to encourage this:
    1. You cannot as an attacker run straight at a defender, you must run at the gaps.
    2. You cannot as a defender impede the progress of an attacker, so if you try to get a tag and miss you may well be penalised.
    3. The basketball charge rule applies so that whoever initiates contact will be penalized.
    4. There is little contact because the ball very rarely stays around the ruck as there is so much advantage out wide.
    5. Finally players are a lot more satisfied and get less frustrated and thus the game is easy to referee.
  • The rules are basically the same as league with the ball being allowed to go to the ground with the advantage rule applying (meaning there is a lot of broken field running). you kick off as in league, there is drop kicks and kicking in general play but it must be below shoulder height because of the increased chance of injury.

The Rules

a) The Basics

  • Maximum of 8 players on the field at any time.
  • Mixed competition  four males/four females maximum of four males on the field (females score two points per try in mixed games)
  • Defenders must remove one tag to stop attackers progress. He then holds up the tag and drops it to the ground marking where the play the ball should occur.
  • There is a marker in the play the ball and option of a double marker.
  • A knock back is play on, knock on advantage rule applies - same as league.
  • The game is non-contact - attacker cannot deliberately bump into a defender. A defender cannot change direction and move into attackers path. (Similar to defense fouls in basketball only the defender can be moving in a straight line.) The onus is on the attacking player to avoid defender.
  • The ball carrier is not allowed to protect his tag or fend off defenders (whoever initiates contact will be penalized)
  • The ball must be carried across the try line in all situations to score a try.
  • The ball should be played on the tag (Referee helps identify and in most cases the ball carrier has to come back to the mark)
  • Players must substitute by crossing at the same point at the same time.

b) Kicking

  • Kicking is permitted on any tackle but not above the shoulder height. (Attacking team cannot dive on a kicked ball in any situation, but can kick on ).
  • Kick offs commence play and line dropouts apply. (if the ball lands in the field of play and then rolls across the try line whether touched or not a line drop out occurs. Try line becomes the dead ball line for all kicks.)
  • The defending team may kick the ball on any tackle, if it is dropped by attacking team.

c) Other important rules

  • Defensive line can move forward only when dummy half touches the ball. Dummy half can run and be tagged with the ball.
  • An attacker must stop and play the ball if he is in possession with only one tag on.
  • Simultaneous tag is play on. (If the referee is unable to decide, the pass is allowed - play on. The advantage goes to attacking team.
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct covers the behaviour and attitude of players on the field and may result in penalty, sin bin or dismissal.
  • The only persons allowed to promote the ball with one tag on are the dummy half and the player taking the tap (as long as they do not take more than one step with the ball)).
  • If the ball is kicked or passed into the referee, the referee will order a changeover where he was struck.
  • The ball may be passed over the try line, but once it hits the ground the ball is dead. (Defending teams running out from their try line).
  • Player diving for a try must ground the ball over the line before his knees hit the ground
  • Last team to score in a drawn games is deemed the winner