Baltimore’s Social Rugby Pick Up Group
Charm City Touch is a free community pick-up sports group, inclusive of all ages, backgrounds, gender identities, and abilities. If you’ve played rugby for years or have never seen a rugby ball (Charm City Touch’s logo doesn’t count), there’s a spot for you!
We aim to play every Sunday at 10:30 AM in Patterson Park, dependent on weather. We sometimes play midweek during warmer months. We always have fun though!
If you have an interest in joining us for a run, feel free to join our WhatsApp group by scanning the QR code below. We use this group to make sure there’s numbers for a run (10+) and for general rugby banter.
Touch rugby is a fast paced, light contact version of it’s older siblings — rugby league and rugby union. It’s a popular mixed gender social sport in the USA and (especially) where rugby is popular; to showcase the international flair we play with people at Charm City Touch who hail from Australia, France, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK.
Imagine melding into a sport the passing and spacing of basketball, the conditioning and kicking of soccer, and some of the defensive work (minus the contact) of American football and… touch rugby is kinda like what you’re thinking! Rugby is a unique game and once you get the hang of it, playing the sport becomes addicting — we’ve got plenty of people running with us who’ can attest to this’d agree.
In essence, it’s like real rugby: two teams work to score the ball in their opponent’s end zone. This has to happen within 6 touches (or downs). No dropped balls, forward passes, or offside defenders allowed – otherwise turnovers and penalties occur.
We play a more laidback version of touch rugby than the Federation of International Touch (more aligned with World Rugby’s Touch Rules) that allows for kicking and is less strict on offsides for newbies. We understand it can be daunting to learn a new sport but you’ll be taught by experienced players along the way. As you play more, you’ll pick-up the rules and techniques. Don’t worry too much about making mistakes, we’ve all been there!
There’s plenty on YouTube related to Touch Rugby: full matches, training videos, highlight packages. For an intro into the sport, spend a couple minutes watching the below video from our Australian friends:
If you’ve made it this far, you should know the answer! Those who love casual sports, trying new things, getting a good sweat in, and/or meeting new people would fit in well with Charm City Touch.
If you’ve played sports at a high level, never played a sport before, or fall somewhere in between – there’s a spot for you!
We play at Patterson Park Annex, in Southeastern Baltimore City, meeting at the southwest set of uprights (orange X). There’s plentiful free parking on S Linwood Ave (teal line) along with plenty of touchers biking or walking to the park. Depending on who’s available to play there might be carpool opportunities if you need a ride (or want to help save the planet!).
If you’re interested, the third half — for those new to the sport, the after drink-up and eats — is held at our unofficial sponsor Sharky’s Bar and Grill right around the corner (see purple arrow). If it’s your first run with the group, we’ll make sure someone covers your first beer or soda!
At the least, bring hydration and a cleats.
Ideally, bring a towel and a friend.
It’s mandatory to bring a positive, inclusive, ready-to-run attitude!
Charm City Touch Rugby 