Touch football (American)

Touch football is a version of American football in which the players "tackle" the individual carrying the ball only by touching him with one or two hands, based on whether one is playing the one-hand touch or two-hand touch variety, as opposed to tackling him bodily to the ground or forcing a knee to touch the ground, as is normal in traditional rules versions of the game. The two-hand touch variation is the most popular.

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Other than the tackling aspect, most rules remain the same as in traditional American football, except for occasional local variations. Touch football can be played by teams as few as three or as many as eleven on each side; usually, games consist of four- to seven-person teams. Most games will allow all players to be eligible receivers, unlike in organized tackle football. Some games will also implement a "count", or a period of time that must elapse after the snap before the defense may cross the line of scrimmage in order to attempt to tackle the quarterback. The count thus gives the quarterback time to complete a pass in the absence of effective blocking. Other games will not use a count and thus blocking becomes important. When it is desired for an odd number of players to play, it is common to allow one player to be an "all-time offense" player; this player will always be on the offense or the kicking team, switching sides throughout the game. Another common variation is the elimination of the field goal and extra point; this is usually due to the absence of goal posts on the field as well as due to poor kicking skill by the participants. Some games eliminate kicking altogether, directing the teams to start each possession after a touchdown at the twenty-yard line, as if a kickoff and touchback had just occurred; other players prefer to change the kickoff into a "throw-off".

Related Topics:
American football - Eligible receivers - Snap - Line of scrimmage - Quarterback - Pass - Offense - Field goal - Extra point - Goal posts - Touchdown - Kickoff - Touchback

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Touch football is generally played by amateurs, often teenagers or children.

Related Topics:
Teenagers - Children

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