The Taipei Touch Association is running a “Threes” competition tomorrow in a bid to encourage players to expand their basic skill sets.
Touch is usually played with teams of six on a 70m field, but Threes allows only half the number of players on a 40m pitch.
The concept is the brainchild of Taipei Touch veteran James Chang as a means to encourage players to practice basic skills like gaining field position and defensive positioning.
The tournament is the sport’s first in Taipei to feature a women’s division, the association said.
“Our female Touch players play crucial roles in the regular Taipei Touch League teams, and we hope that having a women’s division will encourage further female participation,” association president Ting Fan said. “The tournament should have all the skills, speed and essence of the game, while keeping the players and spectators entertained.”
“The modified format should encourage players to employ more straight and effective driving to gain territory and catch defenders offside,” Fan said. “The shorter field and less touches encourages a fast-paced game, and players will need to be accurate with their passing, while support players need to get their timing right to score touchdowns.”
There are 48 players registered in 17 teams across the three divisions — mixed, men’s and women’s — the association said, adding that prizes are on offer from sponsors Black As Chocolate, Kiwi Gourmet Burger and Leo’s Tuckshop.
“The Taipei Threes is the first time a tournament of this format has been held in Taipei,” tournament director Fershad Irani said. “We hope that with the success of the event, it can become a regular fixture on the Taipei Touch calendar and encourage more people to take up the great sport of Touch.”
The first game is to tap off at 9:30am at Bailing Riverside Park in Shilin District.
To learn more about the sport, visit the association’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/chinesetaipeitouch.
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