Controversial umpiring decisions.

[thatswhatimtalkinabout]

First of all, this is not a thread to highlight a bad decision that happened to your club last week, year or decade. It is also not a forum to bag out certain umpires or umpiring standards in general. Quite simply, I have posted it to see what ideas are out there that might be of assistance to improving the standard of umpiring - you know, those 5% that they get wrong.

There can be no doubt that the game has sped up immeasurably since the introduction of 3 umpires. Many people suggest that we need more umpires to keep up with the pace of the game. Particularly with the hands in the back interpretation which has proven a disaster to police. I personally don't think that is the way to go as they will end up tripping over themselves.

My thoughts are, we have all this video technology available to us, we have an emergency umpire sitting in the stands - why not introduce an appeal system similar to tennis? Cricket and Rugby League have been brave enough to try and eliminate human error so why can't we?

My ideas is; similar to tennis, each team is granted 2 appeals per game if you get a free kick paid against you. If you think that free is wrong you can appeal to the umpire to go to the emergency umpire who has all the screens in front of him. Time on is called.

If the EU overturns the umpires decision a ball up is called. Appeal used.

If the EU confirms the decision, the free kick stands and a 50 metre penalty is added. Appeal used.

If the EU can not make a decision, the free kick stands and the appealing side keeps that appeal.

Would cost pretty much the cost of three lights on top of the EU's box and would not need to be as slow and contrived as cricket and RL's process.

Thoughts?

[Solstice Raver]

All that needs to happen is for the rules to be left alone for a minimum of 5 years. Let the players and the supporters adapt to them and there will be a hightened awareness amoungst the players and fans.

The hands in the back rule has got to go. I think there is a consensis on this one. Other than that, a direction needs to be taken that will educate the footy player and fan to understanding the rules. (This may also require certain excersises to assist people opening their other eye at times).

At the conclusion of a game the two Coaches, captains and "chief" umpire should sit down at the press confernece together and if decisions need to be explained they can be. The AFL need to let the umpires accept they do make mistakes, like every other professional on the ground.

I really have not had any issues with the umpiring decisions this year. Yes, there have been a few shockers this year but I can recall previous years being a lot worse. I don't think it is any coincedance that this year of footy is one other most hotly contested years in recent memory since the early 90's and with so many players and fans on edge more of the time, there will be more heat.

In summation:
- Moritorium on rule changes for 5 years
- Piss off "hands in the back" tiggy touch
- Amalgimate the press conferance and allow critisism (only then)

Yes/No?

[Roddy]

All that needs to happen is for the rules to be left alone for a minimum of 5 years. Let the players and the supporters adapt to them and there will be a hightened awareness amoungst the players and fans.

The hands in the back rule has got to go. I think there is a consensis on this one. Other than that, a direction needs to be taken that will educate the footy player and fan to understanding the rules. (This may also require certain excersises to assist people opening their other eye at times).

At the conclusion of a game the two Coaches, captains and "chief" umpire should sit down at the press confernece together and if decisions need to be explained they can be. The AFL need to let the umpires accept they do make mistakes, like every other professional on the ground.

I really have not had any issues with the umpiring decisions this year. Yes, there have been a few shockers this year but I can recall previous years being a lot worse. I don't think it is any coincedance that this year of footy is one other most hotly contested years in recent memory since the early 90's and with so many players and fans on edge more of the time, there will be more heat.

In summation:
- Moritorium on rule changes for 5 years
- Piss off "hands in the back" tiggy touch
- Amalgimate the press conferance and allow critisism (only then)

Yes/No?

I'll add 1 to that: Instruct the umps to pay the obvious frees, and then STFU and let the players play.

[exit]

I'll add 1 to that: Instruct the umps to pay the obvious frees, and then STFU and let the players play.
Agreed. Thats the one rule that needs to be rammed into their collective heads. Stop paying the soft ones and players will stop playing for frees. If a player ducks, it's not a free. If a player dives forward as soon as he is tackled, no free.
Why is it a deliberate out free (sometimes) when a player kicks the ball along the boundary line, but players deliberately step over the line all the time and never get pinged.
Let em play. Common sense.

[westdog54]

All that needs to happen is for the rules to be left alone for a minimum of 5 years. Let the players and the supporters adapt to them and there will be a hightened awareness amoungst the players and fans.

The hands in the back rule has got to go. I think there is a consensis on this one. Other than that, a direction needs to be taken that will educate the footy player and fan to understanding the rules. (This may also require certain excersises to assist people opening their other eye at times).

At the conclusion of a game the two Coaches, captains and "chief" umpire should sit down at the press confernece together and if decisions need to be explained they can be. The AFL need to let the umpires accept they do make mistakes, like every other professional on the ground.

I really have not had any issues with the umpiring decisions this year. Yes, there have been a few shockers this year but I can recall previous years being a lot worse. I don't think it is any coincedance that this year of footy is one other most hotly contested years in recent memory since the early 90's and with so many players and fans on edge more of the time, there will be more heat.

In summation:
- Moritorium on rule changes for 5 years
- Piss off "hands in the back" tiggy touch
- Amalgimate the press conferance and allow critisism (only then)

Yes/No?
The bolded part is the only part I'll disagree with, two coaches and an umpire at a press conference is completely unnecessary in my view.

The rest is pretty much on the money.

[gg]

The obvious answer is "less rules".

The less rules there are, the less decisions that can be made, therefore minimizing wrong/controversial decisions.

This isn't a smart-ass answer by the way. But genuine. Go thru the rule book with a fine-tooth comb and eradicate completely a lot of rules, some even really old.

Like...no pushing in the back rule, can tackle below the knees, etc.

[Lion El'Johnson]

Horrible idea. Would slow the game down too much. Also, who makes the appeal? If its the person who the free was against he would be under far too much pressure, especially if 50m was added. He'd face criticism from players and coaches. Nobody would appeal.

[thatswhatimtalkinabout]

Top shelf.:thumbsu: I hope to never see anyone say an umpire has cost them a match again then.:thumbsu: