Is there a course I can do to learn how to run touch?
- South Africa
- SA Rugby
- Club and schools rugby
- All ages
- Assistant referees
- Touch judges
- World Rugby laws
- 2026
- Match officials
Yes. World Rugby runs an online Introduction to Assistant Refereeing module on World Rugby Passport (passport.world.rugby, under Officiating). It covers:
- the role of the assistant referee and touch judge
- working as a team of three with the referee
- signalling and communication
- positioning in open play, at lineouts, scrums and kicks at goal
- in touch and managing the throw-in
- in-goal duties
- foul play and the Head Contact Process
- liaising with the technical zone
It finishes with an exam. Remember that only an assistant referee who has been appointed by the match organiser acts as an assistant referee on the day; anyone else, however well trained, acts as a touch judge.
Added 21 Oct 2026