Touch Footy Player Etiquette
November 25, 2019 - 5 years ago
Urban Rec’s of difference from almost all other recreational sport providers, is that we care about the experience had by absolutely everyone involved within our leagues, Including our staff.
As with all Urban Rec leagues, we do not tolerate douche bags. We are inclusive, and welcome all levels of ability, and as a consequence, we are pretty tough on any team or player who goes against our culture.
To make things super clear, we have compiled a list of Urban Rec Touch Footy player etiquette. Keep these points in mind, when playing in any of our competitions. It’s the Urban Rec way…
DON’T EVER’s –
- Be so competitive that it can be mistaken as aggression or be seen as intimidating. This covers things like intense defensive line speed and crash ball lines in defence (also, crash ball lines don’t work…its touch.)
- Put your shoulder behind a two handed touch – that’s a pre contact game warm up and has no business here. (ridiculous we know but it has happened).
- Mock opposition or your own team! Goes without saying. Don’t be a dick.
- Move your hand away when about to take a touch with an attacking opposition player – this kind of underhand tactic is reserved only for the highest level of hero, we are talking Batman vs Superman type of hero. Get real and take the touch!
- Make calls or question a call from one of our hosts – This creates a shitty atmosphere and ruins our staff members evening.
- 7 times out of 10 our host has seen the offence and hasn’t called it for a reason.
- 8 times out of 10 it doesn’t affect the game.
- 9 times out of 10 you look like an idiot.
- 10 times out of 10 the world has moved on and upon reflection its not that big of a deal.
- Wait on the try line when you’re about to score a runaway try for one of your female players. I know it is worth double if you do so, but it’s not what the score bonus is in place for. We implemented the 2 points for female trys as an incentive to encourage players to include the female players in the team, not because the ladies are any more or less likely to score.
DO’s –
- Always put the enjoyment and respect of your opponents, ahead of your desire to win.
- Socialise with other teams, they are not the enemy.
- Be honest – if you’ve been touched in touch and you don’t stop it really does defeat the purpose of touch.
- Support and coach players that seem to be struggling.
- Play to the ability of your opposition, give beginner players and extra second, but compete when you see a player who knows the game/rules well.
- Win and lose graciously – its fine to be good and its fine to win, but don’t enjoy crushing a team so bad that it spoils their game (points for and against is NEVER used in our standings). Same goes when you are on the losing side, its fine to lose and it really doesn’t matter if you’ve lost so do so with a smile on your face, you can still have a good time surrounded by mates.
- Cheer for the opposition if they pull off something spectacular.
- ALWAYS shake hands post game, including the host!
Do you play in our Touch leagues? Do you think we have missed something? Is there any behaviour or bad etiquette you would like to see abolished? Send us a message. [email protected] or contact your League Manager.