"Playing on" from outside the boundary line...

[PowerForGood]

Is Aussie Rules the only sport that allows the ball to be in play outside the designated field boundaries?

I notice it more and more these days - players getting a free kick or a mark on the boundary, and then playing on sideways from outside the field of play. In one instance Carl v Port last week, Fevola played on sideways from what would have been at least 1 metre outside the boundary line.

I know someone will say this is pedantic, but the rules state that a player must kick over the mark when kicking from the last line of defence (ie if you go back from the mark between the goal and point post, you must come in the same way - not sideways). Why doesn't this apply elsewhere, in that you must go over the mark if you are outside the field of play? Otherwise, if the ump calls play on then you are outside the field of play, hence a throw in should result.

 

[jacko57]

Is Aussie Rules the only sport that allows the ball to be in play outside the designated field boundaries?

I notice it more and more these days - players getting a free kick or a mark on the boundary, and then playing on sideways from outside the field of play. In one instance Carl v Port last week, Fevola played on sideways from what would have been at least 1 metre outside the boundary line.

I know someone will say this is pedantic, but the rules state that a player must kick over the mark when kicking from the last line of defence (ie if you go back from the mark between the goal and point post, you must come in the same way - not sideways). Why doesn't this apply elsewhere, in that you must go over the mark if you are outside the field of play? Otherwise, if the ump calls play on then you are outside the field of play, hence a throw in should result.

On a similar note : one of the funniest things I've seen was a Sydney game where Capper took a mark just before the 1/4 time siren, which went while he was lining it up. He took a couple of steps sideways to open up the angle, had his kick & the ump said no score because he had 'played on'. Would you believe, he did the same thing with a kick after the 3/4 time siren !!???!!

 

[Spook]

Is Aussie Rules the only sport that allows the ball to be in play outside the designated field boundaries?

I notice it more and more these days - players getting a free kick or a mark on the boundary, and then playing on sideways from outside the field of play. In one instance Carl v Port last week, Fevola played on sideways from what would have been at least 1 metre outside the boundary line.

I know someone will say this is pedantic, but the rules state that a player must kick over the mark when kicking from the last line of defence (ie if you go back from the mark between the goal and point post, you must come in the same way - not sideways). Why doesn't this apply elsewhere, in that you must go over the mark if you are outside the field of play? Otherwise, if the ump calls play on then you are outside the field of play, hence a throw in should result.

Mate, what rules are you reading? I think what you are getting confused with is that the statment "Kicking over the mark" doesnt mean you have to kick the ball over the man on the marks head but it means you cant go of the line off the mark (if youa re still outside the bound) but you can kick it in any direction.

There are 2 different rules for the 2 different cicumstances you mention.


16.4 DISPOSAL BY A DEFENDING PLAYER — GOAL LINE AND BEHIND LINE
If a defending Player is awarded a Free Kick or a Mark and is given or
takes possession of the football beyond the Goal Line or Behind Line,
the following shall apply:
(a) the Player standing the mark must be positioned 5 metres away
from the Goal Line or Behind Line, as the case may be;
(b) the defending Player may Play On in any direction provided he or
she first crosses the Goal Line or Behind Line prior to disposing
of the football;
(c) if the defending Player decides to play from beyond the Goal
Line or Behind Line, he may Kick or Handball the football in any
direction provided he does not move off the direct line between
himself and the Player standing the mark. If the defending
Player does move from this line, the field Umpire shall call “Play
On” and the goal Umpire shall signal and record a Behind; and
(d) if the defending Player, in disposing of the football, hits either
the goal or behind post, the Player shall be given the football



16.5 DISPOSAL — FROM OUT OF BOUNDS
16.5.1 When Permitted
(a) A Player who is awarded a Free Kick or a Mark may bring the
football into play from beyond the Boundary Line provided that
the Player moves in one direction whilst in the act of Kicking,

Handballing or moving to cross the Boundary Line.
(b) If a Player taking his Kick from outside the Boundary Line
(i) fails to bring the football into play;
(ii) attempts to play on outside the boundary line; or
(iii) does not bring the ball into play in accordance with 16.5.1 (a)
then the ball shall be deemed to be Out of Bounds and the
boundary Umpire shall throw the ball back into play at the spot
where the original Mark or Free Kick took place.

16.5.2 Standing the Mark Adjacent to Behind Post
Where a Player is given or takes possession of the football beyond the
Boundary Line within 2 metres of the behind post, the Player standing
the mark must be positioned 5 metres away from the Boundary Line.
16.5.3 Football Back in Play
The football is deemed to be back in play when any portion of it is
on or above the Boundary Line.