Re: Linesman : Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:51 pm
mirfieldrhino wrote:
As I understand it, a play the ball has four elements. Lifting the ball clear of the ground, regaining your feet, placing the ball on the ground and then playing it backwards with your foot. To the letter of the law, if one of these elements is done incorrectly then a penalty should be awarded.
I think common sense comes into play though from a ref's p.o.v and they award a scrum depending on what the infringement is. In my opinion, if an accidental knock on occurs, a scrum should be awarded. Where the ball in deliberately played incorrectly in order to try and gain an advantage, a penalty should be awarded.
I think common sense comes into play though from a ref's p.o.v and they award a scrum depending on what the infringement is. In my opinion, if an accidental knock on occurs, a scrum should be awarded. Where the ball in deliberately played incorrectly in order to try and gain an advantage, a penalty should be awarded.
Yes, that is my understanding, although the lifting of the ball and regaining your feet don't have to be in that order and in fact the rule states "The tackled player shall without delay regain his feet where he was tackled, lift the ball clear of the ground, face his opponent’s goal line and drop or place the ball on the ground in front of his foremost foot.", as long as they get to their feet and lift the ball clear it does not matter how. It does still however say, 'drop or place the ball on the ground in front of his foremost foot'!
And I agree with you and how ref's are looking at it, it makes sense, but the rules don't state what strictly should be done if the above is not performed correctly.