Rules Players shoving each other in the chest for no reason

[beside the seaside]

My 4 year old has been really getting into footy and we've been watching a lot of games together. There's an aspect of the game though that I'm having a lot of trouble explaining to him.

We just let players shove each other needlessly even when the ball isn't in play. I know we've become so accustomed to it but when you think about it it's really quite bizarre, players are just allowed to push each other to let out agro or show how tough they are.

Surely it wouldn't be that hard to just make it a free kick if you push someone when the ball isn't in play?

I know some will disagree and that's fine but I'm keen to hear everyones thoughts.

 

[aCunningPlan]

My 4 year old has been really getting into footy and we've been watching a lot of games together. There's an aspect of the game though that I'm having a lot of trouble explaining to him.

We just let players shove each other needlessly even when the ball isn't in play. I know we've become so accustomed to it but when you think about it it's really quite bizarre, players are just allowed to push each other to let out agro or show how tough they are.

Surely it wouldn't be that hard to just make it a free kick if you push someone when the ball isn't in play?

I know some will disagree and that's fine but I'm keen to hear everyones thoughts.

There are two golden rules to keep in mind, allow the player who's sole object is the ball to contest the play, and punish any action that is likely to cause harm or injury. The push and shove you describe is usually back and forth which cancels each other out, and it doesn't met the likelihood of injury threshold. I get what you mean, but all the niggle is just play on.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

My 4 year old has been really getting into footy and we've been watching a lot of games together. There's an aspect of the game though that I'm having a lot of trouble explaining to him.

We just let players shove each other needlessly even when the ball isn't in play. I know we've become so accustomed to it but when you think about it it's really quite bizarre, players are just allowed to push each other to let out agro or show how tough they are.

Surely it wouldn't be that hard to just make it a free kick if you push someone when the ball isn't in play?

I know some will disagree and that's fine but I'm keen to hear everyones thoughts.

Totally agree. All the unnecessary pushing and shoving drives me nuts as well. One particular aspect of this that annoys the hell out of me is when a player tackles an opponent. It's a poor tackle and is penalized. That should be it, but you can almost bet there is some idiot who comes in pushing and shoving the tackler. I'd dearly love to see the decision reversed and stop this irritating habit.

 

[Ice-Wolf]

It showcases a lack of professionalism from both the players and the umpires that permeates the AFL competition as a whole.

 

[Cosmic Energy]

Yes I’d love a crackdown on this also, pushing/making contact off the ball in general. This pushing and shoving happens a lot more than it used to, perhaps as in ‘the old days’ if someone kept pushing someone else off the ball then there was the threat of being knocked out in retaliation out of sight of the umpire.

I’m of the general view that we don’t actually pay enough frees in general, and that stats would back that up - much less frees now than in the 70s & 80s, despite the game having so many more players around the ball.

I think this one would be easy enough to police & clean the game up a bit, and players would adjust very quickly. Allow the umpires to give a warning even - ‘keep doing that and I’ll pay a free kick against you’.

 

[ferball]

Jesus.

 

[Vankri]

I am 100% with you, but that is an extremely unpopular opinion in footy.

Fact is, when you look at the evolution of other sports eg soccer, basketball it’s almost a given that this crap will be stamped out of the game within 10 years.

No issue with physicality in contests and when the ball is nearby but the random back and gut punches from poorly skilled players to try and play rough on the skilled players when the ball is out of action is just garbage to watch.

 

[div12ressie]

I am 100% with you, but that is an extremely unpopular opinion in footy.

Fact is, when you look at the evolution of other sports eg soccer, basketball it’s almost a given that this crap will be stamped out of the game within 10 years.

No issue with physicality in contests and when the ball is nearby but the random back and gut punches from poorly skilled players to try and play rough on the skilled players when the ball is out of action is just garbage to watch.

why try and compare AFL with basketball and soccer though? What about the physicality of hockey and NFL?

gut punches shouldn't be a thing but nothing wrong with a push and shove

 

[ferball]

Totally agree. All the unnecessary pushing and shoving drives me nuts as well. One particular aspect of this that annoys the hell out of me is when a player tackles an opponent. It's a poor tackle and is penalized. That should be it, but you can almost bet there is some idiot who comes in pushing and shoving the tackler. I'd dearly love to see the decision reversed and stop this irritating habit.

One of the reasons this happens is that the stupidity this thread is an example of means something as physical as a tackle is looked on as unnecessary aggression.

Its a physical contact sport, not rounders or hackey sack.

 

[Vankri]

why try and compare AFL with basketball and soccer though? What about the physicality of hockey and NFL?

gut punches shouldn't be a thing but nothing wrong with a push and shove

I don’t watch the hockey and NFL so I guess that gives you an answer, though I just don’t think you can compare ice hockey to footy. Field perhaps and then it’s a vastly different story contest wise.

Push and shove for what purpose? 9/10 times it’s just a shit player trying to make up for it by blocking and bruising another off the ball. Not the point of the game and no different to how everything else is adjuticated off the ball or 10+m away (holding, blocking, marking interference). It’s a matter of time before it goes I reckon.

 

[Spearman]

I don’t watch the hockey and NFL so I guess that gives you an answer, though I just don’t think you can compare ice hockey to footy. Field perhaps and then it’s a vastly different story contest wise.

Push and shove for what purpose? 9/10 times it’s just a shit player trying to make up for it by blocking and bruising another off the ball. Not the point of the game and no different to how everything else is adjuticated off the ball or 10+m away (holding, blocking, marking interference). It’s a matter of time before it goes I reckon.

I think it is an attempt at physical intimidation by a guy fairly secure in the fact that he would much retaliation. The 'tough guy' usually doesn't have the skill or physical attributes to stay with the other player and intimate him through a legit hard tackle or spoil. The AFL will legislate out the later, while keeping the weak-ass niggle.
Too bad they can't have the biff like in hockey or lacrosse. Would stop that crap right away. Although it seems in NHL the enforcer drops gloves even in legitimate body contacts. Letting the affected player go Scarlet on the faux thug would improve things. IMHO

 

[Osho]

Jesus.

I'll be back in a couple of days.

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

I don’t watch the hockey and NFL so I guess that gives you an answer, though I just don’t think you can compare ice hockey to footy.

In ice hockey, if you have someone going around being a tough guy, the opposition will set their goon onto them.

In ice hockey, you only act tough if you're actually prepared to punch on.

 

[Pieshighflyer]

My 4 year old has been really getting into footy and we've been watching a lot of games together. There's an aspect of the game though that I'm having a lot of trouble explaining to him.

We just let players shove each other needlessly even when the ball isn't in play. I know we've become so accustomed to it but when you think about it it's really quite bizarre, players are just allowed to push each other to let out agro or show how tough they are.

Surely it wouldn't be that hard to just make it a free kick if you push someone when the ball isn't in play?

I know some will disagree and that's fine but I'm keen to hear everyones thoughts.

It's part of the physicality and psychology of the game. I personally enjoy it tbh.

This stuff happens in all sports, it just manifests itself in different ways. In soccer for example players will occasionally push and shove, while standing on toes, pulling jumpers etc. outside of play is common.

 

[beside the seaside]

One of the reasons this happens is that the stupidity this thread is an example of means something as physical as a tackle is looked on as unnecessary aggression.

Its a physical contact sport, not rounders or hackey sack.

Yep you've totally missed the point of the thread. It's about off the ball hits and shoves not tackles. The game is obviously incredibly physical and no one is asking that to change.

 

[ferball]

Yep you've totally missed the point of the thread. It's about off the ball hits and shoves not tackles. The game is obviously incredibly physical and no one is asking that to change.

The point of the thread is to whinge about physicality. I haven't missed it at all.

 

[Hoops]

I hate when a run down table occurs and its holding the ball. And the recipient gives the tackled player an aggressive shove. So arrogant and obnoxious. Would love to see it reversed.

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

The point of the thread is to whinge about physicality. I haven't missed it at all.

Is it physicality though?

Both players know the other won't actually hurt them, and both players know they won't be picked off later on in retaliation.

I think that's the point of the thread isn't it? That it's not tough. It's not 'physicality'.
It's just pointless bravado.