Are you allowed to slap the ball up with an open hand?

[94_Eagles]

I was under the impression that it was a throw but time and time again I see it let go.

 

[Souup]

Edit: Read the title wrong

 

[94_Eagles]

No, I don't see how it would.

 

[david_345]

Pretty sure it's legal as long as you don't carry the ball which would make it a throw.

Ruckman do it all the time.

 

[94_Eagles]

Pretty sure it's legal as long as you don't carry the ball which would make it a throw.

Ruckman do it all the time.

They usually tap down with an open hand and rucking is different to the normal field of play.

 

[ClarkeM]

slap overhead is ok but when on ground it is ok unless you carry it in the palm an then throw

 

[david_345]

They usually tap down with an open hand and rucking is different to the normal field of play.

There's really no difference between a slap and a tap, open hand disposal vs clenched fist. There's also no rule that differentiates disposal in ruck and general play.

 

[94_Eagles]

There's really no difference between a slap and a tap, open hand disposal vs clenched fist. There's also no rule that differentiates disposal in ruck and general play.

Ok, so slapping up with an open hand is legal then?

 

[dales.girl38]

Pretty sure it's legal as long as you don't carry the ball which would make it a throw.

Ruckman do it all the time.

Yeah, that's what I thought the rule was...people slap the ball away all the time, but when the follow through is there, then it's a throw.

 

[ClarkeM]

if its a tap not a carry

 

[Super Goalie]

Ok, so slapping up with an open hand is legal then?

I'm not sure there's a specific law relating to "slapping" the football(I can't find it atm), just incorrect disposal. The motion of slapping the ball (at all) is, IMO, a grey area. You're not disposing of the ball illegally, because you haven't taken possession of the ball. It comes back to interpretation and the "Spirit of the Laws"

 

[david_345]

I'm not sure there's a specific law relating to "slapping" the football(I can't find it atm), just incorrect disposal. The motion of slapping the ball (at all) is, IMO, a grey area. You're not disposing of the ball illegally, because you haven't taken possession of the ball. It comes back to interpretation and the "Spirit of the Laws"

Have a look here:

http://www.aflpa.com.au/media/2007 Laws of the game.pdf

at 15.3. It states that the way to dispose of a ball is by kick or handpass. Then it goes on to say the illegal way to dispose of a ball is by throwing or handing the ball to a team mate.

I still recon it's legal as long as the ball isn't carried.

 

[GoBackToVFL]

basically, yes it is legal, but not a legal disposal.

So once you take posession, you cannot slap it away, or it is incorrect disposal and free kick

 

[Super Goalie]

Have a look here:

http://www.aflpa.com.au/media/2007 Laws of the game.pdf

at 15.3. It states that the way to dispose of a ball is by kick or handpass. Then it goes on to say the illegal way to dispose of a ball is by throwing or handing the ball to a team mate.

Thanks, was looking in the 2006 book

 

[bigrayohall20]

i saw adam mcphee get pinged for an open handed slap last year.

he was on his knees, the ball popped up in the air and he slapped it away. one of the worst decisions ive seen. mcphee couldnt believe it.
and yet i saw one last night from a richmond player, slapped up from close to the ground that was let go.
umpires confuse the s*it out of me

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

It can be a fine line between a "slap" and a "scoop", where the ball is momentarily in the players control and is basically thropwn. A lot of ruck taps come into the "scoop" category for mine.
There would be less room for opinion and interpretation if the rule was changed so that only a fist could be used, but it would also be much more difficult to control the ball on a tap and ruckmen would again have to completely adjust their game.

 

[old_clint]

I was under the impression that it was a throw but time and time again I see it let go.

It depends on how long the interaction between hand and ball lasts and this should appear to be instantaneous. The ball should be clearly struck rather than guided.

 

[yandb]

if you don't elevate the ball or sling it then an open handed slap is ok