Rule changes for 2011

[Spirit of 66]

The key rule changes introduced for 2011 are:

- Defenders will be rewarded for making a good 'legs' tackle, with referees allowing them more time. They will also be allowed, within reason, to spin on top if they are the lone defender in order to get to marker;

- Dominant tackles will only be called if dominance is gained upon impact. Gang tackles will not be called dominant;

- A penalty will only be awarded against a leg pull if it directly affects the speed of the play-the-ball;

- The attacking player must play the ball on the mark and will be penalised if he takes steps either forward or to the side;

- Defenders will only be penalised for making contact with the kicker if contact is deemed unnecessary;

- Any player that takes a kick-off or drop-out in front of the line by any margin will be penalised;

- Tries will be awarded if decoy runners have no effect on the try being scored;

- Scrums must bind correctly and players must not break until the referee calls 'out'. Players will be penalised if they break early; and

- The 10-metre advantage rule has been scrapped, with referees to determine when a side has taken their advantage.

[Guest]

The key rule changes introduced for 2011 are:

- Defenders will be rewarded for making a good 'legs' tackle, with referees allowing them more time. They will also be allowed, within reason, to spin on top if they are the lone defender in order to get to marker;

- Dominant tackles will only be called if dominance is gained upon impact. Gang tackles will not be called dominant;

- A penalty will only be awarded against a leg pull if it directly affects the speed of the play-the-ball;

- The attacking player must play the ball on the mark and will be penalised if he takes steps either forward or to the side;
- Defenders will only be penalised for making contact with the kicker if contact is deemed unnecessary;

- Any player that takes a kick-off or drop-out in front of the line by any margin will be penalised;

- Tries will be awarded if decoy runners have no effect on the try being scored;

- Scrums must bind correctly and players must not break until the referee calls 'out'. Players will be penalised if they break early; and

- The 10-metre advantage rule has been scrapped, with referees to determine when a side has taken their advantage.

Perrett wont be happy.

[BUDDY]

Nothing on the Dragons not being allowed to throw the ball forward from dummy half.

[supermario]

it will be interesting about the stepping off the mark rule, both after the tackle and the drop out, will be enforced all year.

Apart from perrett, there are many other players who will step to the side to play the ball and "catch the markers off side"

i am still wanting to know what they will do about players lying around the ruck

[ROC181]

Nothing on the Dragons not being allowed to throw the ball forward from dummy half.

Add Benji 'Kapow!' Marshall to that.

[Spanner in the works]

The key rule changes introduced for 2011 are:
A penalty will only be awarded against a leg pull if it directly affects the speed of the play-the-ball;

That's good. I don't mind a bit of gamesmanship as long as it doesn't affect the tempo of the game. A quick play the ball is good viewing both from a defensive team and offensive teams perspective. I like to see teams scramble and I like the attacking play. Hopefully teams aren't smart enough to pretend it affected the speed of play when a little leg pull happens. Cos that will give me the shits.

- Defenders will only be penalised for making contact with the kicker if contact is deemed unnecessary;

This one will be controversial. Can already see it happening now. There will be far too much protection for the kickers and teams won't be able to make an effective play on the kicker. Lots of penalties on that one.

- Any player that takes a kick-off or drop-out in front of the line by any margin will be penalised;

Good. Some teams take the piss on that some nights. Including us. Mind you, any margin is very extreme. By rights you can drop it on the line, so if you misplace your drop slightly, then you might get penalised. A bit of common sense is going to be needed. If it's 1/2 a foot over or more then penalise. If it's only an inch or two then let it go.

- The 10-metre advantage rule has been scrapped, with referees to determine when a side has taken their advantage.

Thank God. That was a terrible idea putting a certain amount of distance on advantage calls. There were a few times when teams were inside the oppositions 20, played advantage but only got 5 metres on the ensuing break and then were called back. In the meantime the opposition were screwed in their defensive line, the attacking side's playmakers were screaming for quick ball and there was a high chance of a repeat set or a scoring play.

[Pass the Ball]

Good. Some teams take the piss on that some nights. Including us. Mind you, any margin is very extreme. By rights you can drop it on the line, so if you misplace your drop slightly, then you might get penalised. A bit of common sense is going to be needed. If it's 1/2 a foot over or more then penalise. If it's only an inch or two then let it go.

It is either in or out. That is what the lines on a field are for. What you are saying is Morris was only a little bit out when passing in the GF, so it was OK...

[Spanner in the works]

Don't be stupid.

[Guest]

The slower play-the-ball will be a handicap for teams like the roosters and tigers but I seem to be the only one concerned about it. People forget about the touch-footy-tigers doing nothing in 2004 and 2006 but winning in 2005 with a quicker play-the-ball.

[Guest]

I agree with PTB. You have to draw the line somewhere. The actual line seems a pretty good place.

[Guest]

Don't be stupid.

the line is the line,whether its the try line or the side line...you cant be awarded a try if you ground the ball an inch and a half short
so you should be penalised if you drop kick over the try line or kick off over the half way line

[BUDDY]

the line is the line,whether its the try line or the side line...you cant be awarded a try if you ground the ball an inch and a half shortso you should be penalised if you drop kick over the try line or kick off over the half way line

Unless you are Gaz. Oops sorry he was a foot and half short and he didn't ground it.

The rules will apply to whoever the refs want them to apply to.

[Guest]

The key rule changes introduced for 2011 are:

- Defenders will be rewarded for making a good 'legs' tackle, with referees allowing them more time. They will also be allowed, within reason, to spin on top if they are the lone defender in order to get to marker;

- Dominant tackles will only be called if dominance is gained upon impact. Gang tackles will not be called dominant;

- A penalty will only be awarded against a leg pull if it directly affects the speed of the play-the-ball;

- The attacking player must play the ball on the mark and will be penalised if he takes steps either forward or to the side;

- Defenders will only be penalised for making contact with the kicker if contact is deemed unnecessary;

- Any player that takes a kick-off or drop-out in front of the line by any margin will be penalised;

- Tries will be awarded if decoy runners have no effect on the try being scored;

- Scrums must bind correctly and players must not break until the referee calls 'out'. Players will be penalised if they break early; and

- The 10-metre advantage rule has been scrapped, with referees to determine when a side has taken their advantage.

allows way too much room for interpretation and as such more mistakes

rule should be - when you have gained control of the ball advantage is deemed to have been taken and is over

[Spanner in the works]

And how happy are you all going to be if the game is locked up 20 all, we drop the ball an inch over the line, get penalised and they take the ensuing penalty right in front and we lose the game? If it costs a team a finals spot then supporters will tear the place down. Common sense must be applied if it is only a small amount.

[Guest]

And how happy are you all going to be if the game is locked up 20 all, we drop the ball an inch over the line, get penalised and they take the ensuing penalty right in front and we lose the game? If it costs a team a finals spot then supporters will tear the place down. Common sense must be applied if it is only a small amount.

the line is the line

why would you want to let the refs decide if the kicker is over by "enough" to be penalised?

whatever margin "enough" is deemed to be, why not at least give the ref a line to work with - not some imaginary line about 1/2 a foot in front?

like having the cricket umps letting no-balls go when they're just a bit over the front crease

the lines are there for a reason