Winnipeg Touch Rugby

Hey gang:
Thunder Queens are needing a few subs tonight. If your keen to play and spare for them, that would be amazing!

Hey WTR Family.
Great week of games ahead and last week's match up's were fast and incorporated much of what Ihave shared from the Touch Talk segments for those teams looking into furthuring there teams skill work.
********************************************************************
Officiating - recapping new laws that WTR have introduced that are F.I.T based.

Introducing a new game play rule: Deflected Pass Rule
If a defender makes contact with the ball while it is being passed, and the attacking team regains or retains possession, the touch count resets to one (1).

2. Forward passes. What are the ref's looking for? It starts with the ball exiting the hands.
A) Does the ball exit the hands flat or backwards, but the ball travels forward with momentum? Yes -> Play on. This is not a forward pass.
B) Does the ball exit/travel forward out of the hands meaning it moves towards the opposition's try line, even if it's a flick, tip-on, or accidental propulsion? Yes -> Forward Pass - ref's will award a penalty.
Summary:
While momentum can carry a backward-thrown ball forward, the key is the direction the ball leaves the hands relative to the player, not just its ultimate path; if the player's hands propel it forward, it's a penalty, but momentum-driven drift is usually play-on.
3. Defense has to roll off the 5m line. This has been a law within touch rugby. I have not been playing it as I wish to ensure the game was not over ref's. Since we are deep into year three, I find it appropriate to incorporate this law.
********************************************************************
TOUCH TALK: Weekly tips on game play - Recap

Gaining momentum on attack:
Run forward with the ball. Encourage players to keep moving north rather than sideways—this creates pressure and forward momentum.
Look for 2v1s and 3v2s. These small numerical advantages are where most of the attacking magic happens.
Attack at speed after the scoop. Fast, forward momentum often leads to penalty advantages and reset touch counts, giving your team more opportunities to build pressure.
Lastly, please forward this video to your players to help them learn and practice running switch lines. It’s a great visual guide to support their development.

Use your middles and links to your advantage—quick movement, strong lines, and sharp decision-making will open up space far more effectively than long passes. Please pass this on to your team.

********************************************************************
Housekeeping & Reminders
Bags and gear on the field.
PLEASE remind players not to bring their bags onto the field space - we have lockers to use. We have a narrow gap between fields 1&2.
********************************************************************Fri Jan 30, 2026
Slot 1 — minutes 0–14
Field 1: Not Fast, Just Furious vs Try Babies
Field 2: Snakesss vs Turnip

Slot 2 — minutes 15–29
Field 1: Badgers vs Marauders
Field 2: PWW vs Thunder Queens

Slot 3 — minutes 30–44
Field 1: Try Babies vs Thunder Queens
Field 2: Marauders vs PWW

Slot 4 — minutes 45–59
Field 1: Turnip vs Badgers
Field 2: Not Fast, Just Furious vs Snakesss

Hi everyone;

Quick note of thanks to you and your teams for showing up each week. Request, if you're aware your team is going to have low attendance. Please let me know in advance. I wish to let the other teams know to fill in and help.

********************************************************************

Officiating:
Introducing a new game play rule: Deflected Pass Rule
If a defender makes contact with the ball while it is being passed, and the attacking team regains or retains possession, the touch count resets to one (1).

********************************************************************

TOUCH TALK: Weekly tips on game play
Defense have been sharp and fast off the roll ball in the past two weeks! Which is causing panic in the attack setup. Resulting in incomplete sets of six (6) for the attacking team and loss for forward drive. I can see the frustration :)

Attack:
- Focus on completing your set of six touches.
- Reduce the force or lose passing tactics. Take the ball into touch. I.e - don't pass the ball to someone who is in a worse position to receive the pass.

- create 2v1's and use your fast transitions out of scope to gain field advantage.

********************************************************************

Housekeeping & Reminders

Bags and gear on the field.
PLEASE remind players not to bring their bags onto the field space - we have lockers to use. We have a narrow gap between fields 1&2.

********************************************************************

Games this week are:

Fri Jan 23, 2026

Slot 1 — minutes 0–14

Field 1: Try Babies vs Snakesss

Field 2: Badgers vs Not Fast, Just Furious

Slot 2 — minutes 15–29

Field 1: PWW vs Turnip

Field 2: Thunder Queens vs Marauders

Slot 3 — minutes 30–44

Field 1: Try Babies vs Marauders

Field 2: Turnip vs Thunder Queens

Slot 4 — minutes 45–59

Field 1: Not Fast, Just Furious vs PWW

Field 2: Snakesss vs Badgers