What is OZTAG ?
OZTAG is the latest craze in recreational sport that now has competitions running all over Australia, with the largest areas located in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra.
Oztag is a non-tackling, limited contact recreational sport offering alternatives to men, women, children & mixed competitions.
Founded in 1992, Oztag began as a training tool for First Grade rugby league teams and has now developed into one of the fastest growing recreational sports in Australia.
Due to overwhelming popularity of the sport, Oztag is now played over 12 months of the year during winter and summer.
The game is designed to cater for all levels of ability and is promoted to people and families of all ages.
Promotion of the non-tackiling game to young children in schools has ensured long term sustainability for Oztag.
What makes this game different to others is that a tackle is effected when a strip of cloth attached by Velcro, known as a tag , is removed from the side of a player's shorts.
All skills are utilised in OZTAG including kicking. Passing becomes an attacking weapon, and if a player is put into a gap, there is a high probability they will make a clean break.
When attacking the line, fancy moves such as around-the-corner passes work well, often making the defender stoop low to remove the tag.
The game is non-contact and the rules are designed to encourage this - you cannot as an attacker run straight at a defender, you must run at the gaps.
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. The basketball charge rule applies so that whoever initiates contact will be penalised.
The rules are basically the same as Rugby League with the ball being allowed to go to the ground with the advantage rule applying - this results in is a lot of broken field play.
Teams kick off as in League and drop-outs are also taken from one's own in-goal area. Kicking in general play is allowed but it must be below shoulder height.
A Unique Sport
Tag sports has an exclusive Australian attachment system.
Players must wear the official tag shorts or attachment belt when playing .
The NRL & ARL now promote tag sport (League Tag) through 491 schools with 35 full time Primary Development Officers in NSW & ACT.