If throwing was allowed, how would it change the game?

[PerthBoy86]

Before you come at me, this is purely hypothetical. I'm in no way suggesting the rules should be changed to allow throwing, but sometimes it's fun to speculate on how certain rule changes would change the game.

I thought about it, and I wonder just how much of a difference it would make. It would begin to resemble rugby or gridiron more, and especially those who could throw far would be advantaged. But an AFL ball is a bit less stable than a fatter rugby ball, so it might not be as dangerous as you'd think. Teams with quick handballing would get even more of an advantage (in before the Bulldogs already do it reference). Teams that spread a lot would employ it less. Would the handball die out? Would it result in a higher scoring, more offensive game? Seems it'd advantage attack over defence. Or would we see more packs?

Sometimes I imagine experimental games where they modify rules to see how it'd turn out. Like what if we played a game where there was no free kicks for marks? Or no htb, just let the strongest player wrestle out the ball.

 

[kickazz]

I've thought about the idea of allowing throwing but by the same token, getting very strict on HTB.

Basically, when tackled you can either kick, handpass or - throw. But the caveat on the throw is that it MUST be caught on the full by a teammate otherwise it is HTB. No prior opportunity, no 'knocked out in tackle', none of that. Clear cut - get it to a teammate on the full or you are cooked.

Would speed things up and get rid of a whole lot of grey area.

 

[Orange crush]

It wouldn’t change things a lick for a couple of teams

 

[PerthBoy86]

I've thought about the idea of allowing throwing but by the same token, getting very strict on HTB.

Basically, when tackled you can either kick, handpass or - throw. But the caveat on the throw is that it MUST be caught on the full by a teammate otherwise it is HTB. No prior opportunity, no 'knocked out in tackle', none of that. Clear cut - get it to a teammate on the full or you are cooked.

Would speed things up and get rid of a whole lot of grey area.

Yeah I was also thinking an AFL ball isn't really designed to be thrown, but it can be quite well, and players would get better at that skill. It would be interesting to see a variety of throwing techniques (one hand, two hands etc).

You mean when you're tackled after getting a possession from a throw? I wouldn't want to change that rule, but I think there'd be more tackling overall. More double teaming tackles etc maybe. Then it'd be easier to find space up close.

 

[PerthBoy86]

It wouldn’t change things a lick for a couple of teams

Was waiting for this lol

 

[ferball]

I've thought about the idea of allowing throwing but by the same token, getting very strict on HTB.

Basically, when tackled you can either kick, handpass or - throw. But the caveat on the throw is that it MUST be caught on the full by a teammate otherwise it is HTB. No prior opportunity, no 'knocked out in tackle', none of that. Clear cut - get it to a teammate on the full or you are cooked.

Would speed things up and get rid of a whole lot of grey area.

That's an interesting idea. Dunno if its a good one or not...

Could you throw when you're not being tackled?

 

[kickazz]

That's an interesting idea. Dunno if its a good one or not...

Could you throw when you're not being tackled?

I think you'd have to allow that otherwise you introduce the grey area of "are they being tackled".

So then I'd extend the rule so that any "incomplete pass" , if a may is a gridiron term, would result in a free against.

I too don't know if it is a good idea or not but it is interesting to think about.

 

[kickazz]

You mean when you're tackled after getting a possession from a throw? I wouldn't want to change that rule, but I think there'd be more tackling overall. More double teaming tackles etc maybe. Then it'd be easier to find space up close.

No I basically mean that any throw must be caught on the full by a teammate or it is a free against. The tackle part just means that with such a rule, things like prior opportunity, spilled in tackle, etc all get taken away - so on one hand it is harder for the tackled player, but on the other they have a new tool at their disposal (pun intended) to mitigate that.

 

[PerthBoy86]

No I basically mean that any throw must be caught on the full by a teammate or it is a free against. The tackle part just means that with such a rule, things like prior opportunity, spilled in tackle, etc all get taken away - so on one hand it is harder for the tackled player, but on the other they have a new tool at their disposal (pun intended) to mitigate that.

Seems like a strange rule, why not just let it spill?

I think having the throw would certainly create a more offensive/attacking game and open it up, which is what most seen to want. Though if there was too much scoring we'd get tired of it. I'm sure they could find a balance.

 

[kickazz]

As for question about the handball dying out, it probably would. If you wanted to keep the handball perhaps only allowing two handed throws would mean handballs still get used for greater distance?

 

[Cyclonus]

Google the Australian Rules Football schism. The VFA introduced throwing for a while and stole many patrons from the VFL.

 

[Caj]

Haven’t watched a Bulldogs game in the last decade?

 

[matthew_s]

Should go the other way. Only allowed to punch or handball. No taps (unless in a ruck contest).

 

[sherb]

I wouldn't be in favour of getting rid of a unique feature of our game.

 

[GetDimmaBack]

VFA allowed throwing back in the 40s, I think.

Lasted one season.

 

[Occidental]

From 1938 to 1949, the VFA allowed throwing. The rule was two hands had to be used and no overarm throws allowed. It would have looked just like a rugby pass.
The VFA brought this with a group of other rules in order to open up play so that crowds would see their version as more attractive. It was to deliberately make a point of difference with the VFL.
Other rules the VFA brought in were; kicking in danger, the 15 meter penalty and the free kick downfield.
Crowds increased, scoring did increase, but not in a major way. Ball ups were markedly reduced. The speed of the VFA game was noticeably quicker than the VFL.
The rules almost split the game, as some country leagues adopted the VFA rules, as did a league in Tasmania.
Critics said the VFA game was “too soft” with the ball scooting around too easily. Too many players were ‘flankers’ and not key position players.
The VFL saw the success of some of the new VFA rules and brought in kicking in danger, the 15 meter penalty and the downfield free kick to the VFL game.
VFL crowds had again become to dominate, and the VFA voted to agree that all footy leagues should have the same rules and gave away the throw after their 1949 Grand Final.