COACHING RESOURCES
Many of our school teams rely on parents to coach, some of which haven't played Touch before, and/or haven't coached before.
This page is just a starting point for these new coaches, providing some resources and links to help them on their way.
This page is just a starting point for these new coaches, providing some resources and links to help them on their way.
RULES OF TOUCH
The full FIT 5th Edition Playing Rules can be found here .
Special Junior Rules:
- Touch New Zealand have implemented the FIT 5th Edition Playing Rules. These take over from previous TNZ 8th Edition Rules. Key rule changes and considerations are:
- Changes to field markings e.g., 5-metre line is now a 7-metre line
- Players are now expected to retire a fixed distance of seven metres to be onside
- On an intercept by a defending player, the first touch will now be zero (0) touch
- Sin bin duration now defined as four (4) complete possessions
- As well as significant changes to the drop-off procedure
The full FIT 5th Edition Playing Rules can be found here .
Special Junior Rules:
- Year 3 & 4: Coaches may support the players on field for the first two weeks.
- Year 1& 2: Coaches may support the players on field for the entire season. As Year 1&2 are learning the game, there are a couple of adjustments to the rules:
- Defence cannot move until the dummy half has passed the ball.
- The referees can allow a bit of flexibility with ‘forward passes’ and ‘off the mark’.
- Although not a hard and fast rule, coaches should show courtesy to the opposition to allow them to get organised and set up on defence.
TOUCH COACHING COURSES
There are great Touch New Zealand online coaching courses on their website: http://www.touchnz.co.nz/ (it’s off the main menu).
We recommend you do the free 30-45min ‘Foundation -Online’ course.
Touch North Harbour, our regional body, often run TNZ Coaching Courses - Introductory, Level One, Level Two. Go to www.touchnorthharbour.co.nz for more information.
There are great Touch New Zealand online coaching courses on their website: http://www.touchnz.co.nz/ (it’s off the main menu).
We recommend you do the free 30-45min ‘Foundation -Online’ course.
Touch North Harbour, our regional body, often run TNZ Coaching Courses - Introductory, Level One, Level Two. Go to www.touchnorthharbour.co.nz for more information.
TOUCH COACHING RESOURCE
Below feel free to download our basic 'Practical Tools for the Beginner Touch Coach'. This includes coach responsibilities, skill focus at each level (Yr1&2, 3&4, 5&6), structuring a touch practice, drills, example training plans.
Below feel free to download our basic 'Practical Tools for the Beginner Touch Coach'. This includes coach responsibilities, skill focus at each level (Yr1&2, 3&4, 5&6), structuring a touch practice, drills, example training plans.

Local Touch Practical Guide for Coaches | |
File Size: | 2228 kb |
File Type: |