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I haven't posted here for a while, but the Super Rugby season has just started; we are into round four next week. I have been seeing something happening that is beginning to really annoy me, so time to vent!
I am talking about "creepers", tackled players that crawl or creep forward, roll over forward (sometimes twice or more) or jump forward to a new position, and all after going to ground with the ball. I am sure this action is illegal
[LAWS]Law 14: Tackle
7. Tackled players must immediately:
a. Make the ball available so that play can continue by releasing, passing or pushing
the ball in any direction except forward. They may place the ball in any direction.
b. Move away from the ball or get up.
c. Ensure that they do not lie on, over or near the ball to prevent opposition players
from gaining possession of it.[/LAWS]
I see nothing in there about players being able to do anything other than release, pass, push or place the ball, which they must do immediately. If they creep, roll or jump forward, that is the action they have done immediately, which means they have not immediately done any of the allowed actions. PK for not releasing IMO.
I am also sure it is being coached, and I think I know why
1. Players are able to gain metres of ground that they were unable to gain before they were tackled. In a game of narrow margins, the ground they are gaining by rolling forward can be the difference between making or not making the advantage line.
2. In order for an arriving player to turn over the ball by taking it from the tackled player, the arriving player has to get his timing almost perfect. By rolling into the arriving player's legs. not only does the tackled player bugger up the arriving player's timing, but there is also a chance they will bump the legs of the arriving player, causing him to lose balance, and have to put a hand down to maintain it, thereby eliminating that arriving player as a turnover threat.
I was wondering if any of you active referees have seen this at grass roots. I think this technique needs to be stopped.
I am talking about "creepers", tackled players that crawl or creep forward, roll over forward (sometimes twice or more) or jump forward to a new position, and all after going to ground with the ball. I am sure this action is illegal
[LAWS]Law 14: Tackle
7. Tackled players must immediately:
a. Make the ball available so that play can continue by releasing, passing or pushing
the ball in any direction except forward. They may place the ball in any direction.
b. Move away from the ball or get up.
c. Ensure that they do not lie on, over or near the ball to prevent opposition players
from gaining possession of it.[/LAWS]
I see nothing in there about players being able to do anything other than release, pass, push or place the ball, which they must do immediately. If they creep, roll or jump forward, that is the action they have done immediately, which means they have not immediately done any of the allowed actions. PK for not releasing IMO.
I am also sure it is being coached, and I think I know why
1. Players are able to gain metres of ground that they were unable to gain before they were tackled. In a game of narrow margins, the ground they are gaining by rolling forward can be the difference between making or not making the advantage line.
2. In order for an arriving player to turn over the ball by taking it from the tackled player, the arriving player has to get his timing almost perfect. By rolling into the arriving player's legs. not only does the tackled player bugger up the arriving player's timing, but there is also a chance they will bump the legs of the arriving player, causing him to lose balance, and have to put a hand down to maintain it, thereby eliminating that arriving player as a turnover threat.
I was wondering if any of you active referees have seen this at grass roots. I think this technique needs to be stopped.