How does the AFL now define holding the ball?
Roar Rookie By Widget, 26 Jun 2012 Widget is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- 2012 AFL season, AFL, AFL umpires, holding the ball
I know I am not alone when I ask what is defined as holding the ball in the AFL these days. It is quite obvious that even the players in the AFL just aren’t quite sure.
As supporters of course we want to see free flowing and open football, but sometimes we want to see players putting their head over the footy to create a stoppage to help their team.
Quite clearly the AFL has instructed the umpires to try and get rid of players holding the ball in in tight situations.
Gone are the days when the rule was clear cut and players and supporters knew what was holding the ball and what was play on.
Now it seems as if there is a different interpretation of the rule, not just every week but in every game.
There is no wonder that players get frustrated in some situations, especially when an umpire’s explanation of holding the ball changes each time the players see them.
Even some of the legends of the game have come out and said that it is not that the rule needs to be changed but it just needs to be defined and enforced consistently.
For the sake of every footballer and every supporter’s sanity, something needs to be done.
- Explore:
- 2012 AFL season, AFL, AFL umpires, holding the ball
June 26th 2012 @ 2:16pm
Widget said | June 26th 2012 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
Dear Fitzy,
I would like to see you try to write an article worth publishing.
June 26th 2012 @ 2:37pm
Widget said | June 26th 2012 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
I agree with you 100% abbz
June 26th 2012 @ 3:37pm
swannies05 said | June 26th 2012 @ 3:37pm | Report comment
Agreed with abbz and Widget on disposal of the ball. As for umpires needing to make a decsion to clear the pack and keep the game flowing, why don’t they just blow the whistle for a ball up earlier, rather than penalise a bloke on the bottom of the pack going the ball, 20m out from goal who often doesn’t even have it anymore when the pack of players is disbanded.
I agree with Kennoth, goals are just too hard to come by to be given away by umpires who don’t have X-ray vision and can’t see who has the ball in a pack of 8+ players.
June 26th 2012 @ 5:55pm
Maximus said | June 26th 2012 @ 5:55pm | Report comment
I’d like to see them adopt rugbys rule where a player cant play the ball on the ground ie must get to his feet before playing at the ball and if you hold the ball in to the tackled player then you should be penalised then all players on the ground will keep their hands wide of the ball…. .
June 27th 2012 @ 6:18pm
tonysalerno said | June 27th 2012 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
Rules are just made to complicate matters, particularly this rule.
Discretion is the best policy for decisions on whether players are holding the ball.
Fact of the matter is; if the umpire’s view is obstructed the call will naturally be inconclusive.
The context of the match is an important factor; which may make a referee’s decision clearer or whether it will cloud there judgement or make them hesitant to award a free kick to the opposition.
We all know players hold the ball.
Whether it be in the dying seconds of a quarter when the side is inside their own 50 and clinging onto a small margin. In this case the umpire understands a player although doesn’t want to- there is a case he is holding the call.
But given the magnitude of the decision the umpire is reluctant to make such a big call which could heavily influence the game and impact the match’s outcome.