tl;dr Remove the Free Kick
OK, so the interpretations of holding the ball that get us all wound up each season are:
1. Incorrect tackle
2. Incorrect disposal
3. Prior opportunity
These grievances exist largely because they are factors in whether a free kick should be paid, and if so, to whom. As far as a I can tell, Aussie Rules is the only sport that rewards tackles with a free kick. Rugby League and Union dont, Gridiron doesnt. Tackles in those codes are not a means to get a free kick, rather to stop a play. As long as the tackle is deemed fair, the ball carrying team generally does not lose possession if a fair tackle is made.
So what if we applied that concept to Aussie Rules. The rule would simply state that a player in possession of the ball may be tackled fairly (as per existing guidelines). If the ball is knocked or spills free, it's play on, if the ball is held up (ie congestion) the ball is thrown up. If the tackle is illegal, then a free against the tackler is paid.
In implementing this rule, we remove the tackle as a means to get a free. We address points 2 and 3 (above) directly by removing those factors in interpretation, and we address point 1 indirectly, as it becomes the only thing an Umpire has to judge.
The main point being, we define the sole purpose of tackling a player as a means to inhibit his movement and/or that of the ball. NOT to try and be awarded a free kick.
So wont that introduce an increased amount of "throwing"? Possibly. So supplement the rule by saying that the tackled player may only dispose of the ball to a team mate, if disposal is within the rules, otherwise, should the ball leave the tackled players possession in a manner not deemed a legal disposal, it must hit the ground before a team mate can take possession.
So the resulting rule would be:
A player in possession of the ball may be tackled fairly (as per current rules) to impede his movement or remove the ball from his possession.
/discuss
OK, so the interpretations of holding the ball that get us all wound up each season are:
1. Incorrect tackle
2. Incorrect disposal
3. Prior opportunity
These grievances exist largely because they are factors in whether a free kick should be paid, and if so, to whom. As far as a I can tell, Aussie Rules is the only sport that rewards tackles with a free kick. Rugby League and Union dont, Gridiron doesnt. Tackles in those codes are not a means to get a free kick, rather to stop a play. As long as the tackle is deemed fair, the ball carrying team generally does not lose possession if a fair tackle is made.
So what if we applied that concept to Aussie Rules. The rule would simply state that a player in possession of the ball may be tackled fairly (as per existing guidelines). If the ball is knocked or spills free, it's play on, if the ball is held up (ie congestion) the ball is thrown up. If the tackle is illegal, then a free against the tackler is paid.
In implementing this rule, we remove the tackle as a means to get a free. We address points 2 and 3 (above) directly by removing those factors in interpretation, and we address point 1 indirectly, as it becomes the only thing an Umpire has to judge.
The main point being, we define the sole purpose of tackling a player as a means to inhibit his movement and/or that of the ball. NOT to try and be awarded a free kick.
So wont that introduce an increased amount of "throwing"? Possibly. So supplement the rule by saying that the tackled player may only dispose of the ball to a team mate, if disposal is within the rules, otherwise, should the ball leave the tackled players possession in a manner not deemed a legal disposal, it must hit the ground before a team mate can take possession.
So the resulting rule would be:
A player in possession of the ball may be tackled fairly (as per current rules) to impede his movement or remove the ball from his possession.
- If the tackle is deemed illegal, a free kick will be paid to the ball carrier.
- If the ball spills free in a manner not deemed a legal disposal, the ball must hit the ground before a team mate can take possession
- If the ball is disposed of legally, then any player may take direct possession without waiting for the ball to hit the ground
- If the ball becomes held up (ie congestion), a ball up will occur.
/discuss