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Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 12:09 am
by josie andrews
Coaches have been informed by the RFL’s Head of Match Officials Steve Ganson that players will be penalised if they do not use their foot when playing the ball moving forward.

The issue has become prominent across the game in recent years, with a large percentage of players not correctly rolling the ball and touching it with their foot.

Many have complained about the sport’s inability to address the issue in recent years, with many blatantly incorrect play-the-balls being left unpunished.

But that’s now set to change, with clubs warned that they will be punished if players don’t perform the appropriate action.

One Super League coach praised the move, saying: “It’s a good thing. Some of the rucks and play-the-balls are a joke.”

Other adaptations to the rules have already been announced. Shot clocks have been reduced by five seconds, meaning teams have 30 seconds at a scrum, and 25 seconds at a drop-out.

https://www.totalrl.com/refs-to-target- ... the-balls/

Re: Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 6:14 am
by Levrier
But will it be like previous years with a flurry of high penalty games followed by criticism of high penalty games and then a reinterpretation of the instructions?

Re: Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:53 am
by Firestarter
About time too....... same old same old though, copying off the NRL 2 years later...... this could be a massive chance for us though as saints/wire abuse this rule by blatantly throwing the ball between there legs....... as long as the refs are consistent then im happy

Re: Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:56 am
by Caboosegg
Poor Saints....

Warmsley and Amor always just roll it.

Re: Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:15 am
by Blackpool_Pie
I really dont see the point. Why now?

Re: Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 11:16 am
by Firestarter
Im for it because the game has got less skillfull and more about speed and fitness..... a proper play the ball will give both the attack and defence time to set and organise....... no more pens for saints in there own 25 on the 4th and 5th tackle, oh dear

Re: Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 11:17 am
by Firestarter
Now bring back ball stealing and ill be one happy fan

Re: Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 12:16 pm
by medlocke
Bring the corner flags back into play as well

Re: Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 1:43 pm
by Mike
I'd give it four founds before the interpretation is dropped. It would be SL without ruining the first few matches with weird refereeing changes.

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Re: Referees will clamp down on incorrect play-the-balls this season.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 3:01 pm
by Caboosegg
Firestarter wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2020 11:17 am Now bring back ball stealing and ill be one happy fan
You can 1 on 1 🤣