A free kick will be awarded against the last player to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds in the opening round of the 2011 AFL pre-season NAB Cup.
The trial rule has been introduced to provide a point of difference when the six groups of three teams play shortened matches against each other.
But if the umpires are unable to determine who touched the ball last, or if it is spoiled or smothered over the line, the boundary umpire will throw the ball back into play.
Other trial rules for the NAB Cup are:
– A player who is awarded a 50m penalty which takes them inside the 50m area either kick from outside the arc for a nine-point goal or kick from inside 50 for six points.
– The official scorer can assist goal umpires with scoring decisions if a video replay is immediately available.
– Boundary umpires can pay free kicks for holding and high contact at stoppages.
– A free kick will be paid against a player who drags or holds the ball under an opponent who is trying to knock it out.
The opening round begins on February 11.
The six group winners and the two other sides with the best records will advance to the knockout quarter-finals when the pre-season competition reverts to full four-quarter games.
Redb
Roar Guru
The problem with the throw ins as a result of multiple interchanges is there are too many players 'on the ball'. Throw ins have become a bit congested as there is time to set up. A quick in kick keeps the play moving.
football of the gods
Guest
Fine to experiment in the NAB, but I dont think this will have the desired effect for a faster game with less hold-ups. As stated by others, it eliminates the major contest for ruckmen and thus one of the crucial strategic arms that makes Australian Football so good to play and watch. I also feel that encouraging teams away from boundary lines and instead to fight for the corridor will lead to less free-flowing games and thus more stoppages in the long-run. Current rules and interpretations make a very exciting use of wing areas close to fans, much more interesting tactics and strategic differences between teams and simply more space through which to run. If you want a faster game, just leave the rotations as they were for 2010. Best year of football yet. Simple.
Jetta
Guest
this would also encourage teams to stay away from the sidelines and help it to flow a bit better
Koops
Guest
Art, i finally agree with you, i await with interest, out of bounds on the full used to be at throw in as well.
Fez's are cool
Guest
As an outsider, I think this is a good idea. There are a lot of messy rules unique to AFL that are there for posterity's sake that need changing. Having a distinct in or out goal rule is good too.
SideShowBob
Roar Rookie
Very interesting. The EU (Euro) Cup 9-a-side tournaments used this rule from 2005-2009 on the basis that it would almost always see the ball returned to the middle corridor of the field (and avoid an additional boundary throw in), as much as solve a problem with finding boundary umpires for the games. It sure made a game a lot faster (which was seen as important for a match of 24 minutes clock time)! In 2010, we decided to revert to a "ball up" 10m from the boundary line instead, to both slow down the game a touch, and to bring back some emphasis on teams fielding a ruckman. It's still fast though! Will be interesting to see how this rule affects full format footy on a full sized field at a non-amateur level.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
I hate, hate, hate this idea. The deliberate out on the full itself needs to be watered down. The greatest aspect of the game is the neutral restracts, bounces around the grounds, after goals and boundary throw ins. Remove the boundary throw in and the ruckmen lose importance. However, what they DO need to do, is kill off the 3rd man up, and have a player from each side nominate and they MUST contest it. Not doing that simply lessens the value of the ruckman. Now - - for a conspiracy here - is this a potential trade off for 3 on the bench plus a sub. That clubs want to devalue ruckmen so they free up the contracting 'full' bench??
Redb
Roar Guru
I think this rule has potential for the main season. As you say deliberate out of bounds would be gonski and only an undertermined 'last touch' would result in a throw in.
Art Sapphire
Guest
AFL has finally realised that too many stoppages is ruining the game. By reducing the number of throw ins they will also reduce the numbers of ball ups that result when throw ins are not cleared.
Forgetmenot
Guest
The AFL is looking at limiting stoppages which can only improve the spectacle of the game. Should be interesting to watch this year.
BigAl
Guest
Anything that gets rid of the 'deliberate out of bounds' will be a godsend to the game. Honestly, how can an ump. be expected to read the mind of a player ?
Joel
Guest
Ian, there's experimentation and then there's farce.
Richclancy
Guest
This out of bounds rule was trialed back in the mid 90's forthe coca cola lightning premiership. Kept the game flowing well but the deliberate out of bounds rule was not so tight in those days. I wait with interest -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Joel, Maybe you'd prefer these rules changes tried out in the actual season instead ? Look, it's preseason. It *is* a joke - but it's also a testbed for some things that might be brought into the real game.
Joel
Guest
Gawd the NAB cup is a joke.