Should the umpires bounce the ball?

[GOALden Hawk]

Should the umpires bounce the ball at all? It appears this will be a hot topic in the next few weeks, as the AFL may change the rule for next season.

What's your view?

 

[GOALden Hawk]

I think they should just bounce the ball at the start of each quarter. That way the tradition of starting the game with the bounce is still there - but we don't have it affecting the rest of the game.

The umpires are out there to make decisions - yet they instead spend a lot of their time practicing a skill. Players and coaches are judged by how they perform on the field, yet umpires are judged by not only the reason they are there but also their ability in bouncing the ball.

Bouncing the ball leads to a longer hold up in play while the umpire sets up, and this means more players have time to get round the ball and form a pack.

Also, if the umpire does do a bad bounce usually the ruckman it favours just grabs the ball, is tackled and then we have another ball up. A bad bounce also increases the chances of serious injuries to ruckmen as they have to readjust their position.

Throwing the ball up would mean a faster game with less stoppages, less injuries and allow the umpires to concentrate on what they are out there for - making decisions.

 

[Dave]

Read the age do you GH?

I'm against any major changes to the current rules. Yes, from time to time there is a skewed bounce. So what? In general play the ball bounces at odd angles all through the game. What's the difference? All that is really required is a little common sense so that when you get a bounce like that in the Geelong Hawthorn game a couple of weeks back two things happen. One, the ball gets called back and bounced again. Two, that umpire if he's having a shocker (as in that case) doesn't bounce the ball.

If we are going to get rid of the bounce to make the ruck contests more predictable then why not change the shape of the ball so that it bounces more predictably too?

Throwing up the ball wont stop ruckmen from grabbing it either, it'll still happen. I also seriously doubt it will reduce the number of stoppages during general play.

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Yeah, well you can't tell me the Age isn't better than the Hun

But I did raise this point 2 weeks ago, and i think momentum is gathering to get rid of the bounce.

The difference with the skewed bounce in general play is it's caused by a player's kick or handball, and that's their job. It shouldn't be the job of the umpire to get it right or wrong or in between. The umpires can't even get basic decisions right - something as complex as bouncing the ball is just another thing they have to worry about.

If an umpires having a shocker and he can't bounce the ball, what can they do? Hide him in a forward pocket? Let him blow the whistle for a ball up and then he runs off and let's another umpire bounce it?

As for ruckmen grabbing it, they should immediately ping anyone who grabs it out of the ruck and doesn't get clean possession out of it. Thought they were going to crack down on that this year - lucky they are concentrating on more important things like players socks and excessive bleeding

 

[Dave]

Preaching to the converted here GH wrt the HUN

As for the bounce, sometimes the ball bounces skewed and it isn't the player who is attempting to take possesions fault either . It's just part of the game. That's the way I see bad bounces when it's the umps too. If we try to take away too much of the unpredictability of the game we'll end up ruining it as a spectacle.

Predictability = boring football. Isn't that what all you non Bombers fans were saying last year?

Yes, it would be hard to "hide" an ump, perhaps he would just throw it up. Or maybe he could be replaced by the emergency if he's having a bad day. Hey, here's an idea, and interchange bench for the maggots!!!!

Pinging ruckman, that was supposed to be brought in in the comp I play in this year too but I've tey to see it. To me it's too harsh as it discourages a player from taking possesion of the footy, and sometimes that's all a ruckman can do in a ruck contest.

 

[Catman]

They should throw it up all the time. At the Geelong V Hawthorn game 2 weeks ago, they couldn't get it to bounce straight up at all. It constantly favoured each team at one stage and was unfair. Also it doesn't look to professional for these umpires to be bouncing a ball like that. They are MEANT to be professionals.

By throwing it up you will get an even contest all the time.