Bump … as a result of a Society question, the 'directive' was included in WR Update to Referees, distributed by RFU in Sep 2015:
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but this is completely out of date now, as the offside line is no longer the hindmost foot of the stanidng, bound-in team mate
The offside line is now any old bit of any old player...
[LAWS]Each team has an offside line that runs parallel to the goal line through the hindmost point of any ruck participant. If that point is on or behind the goal line, the offside line for that team is the goal line.[/LAWS]
So you think that every aspect of that presentation is out of date? FFS the thread did not identify where the 'directive' came that no hands were allowed on the ground ahead the offside line. Whilst it never became specifically incorporated in Law (did it really have to be?) this is where it was provided from WR. In September 2015. As stated. It closes off the thread if someone else searches for it, and provides re-assurance for those who want it. You are free to ignore it if you wish.
It's not any old bit of any old player as the laws still define a ruck participant as being on their feet so from a law standpoint the hindmost point should be a foot. Nothing contradictory in the laws that I can see even if it doesn't pan out like that in practice.
I don't see a definition of ruck participants?
What do you consider is the meaning and impact of the 2019 Law change ?
The definitions of the offside lines may have changed, but the principle still stands surely - that defending players should have their hands either on or behind the offside line.The presentation was from 2015. The definitions of the offside line change in 2019 (as a result of the England v NZ game)
The definitions of the offside lines may have changed, but the principle still stands surely - that defending players should have their hands either on or behind the offside line.
Taff in fact the defenders should not have their hands on the ground at all, but if they are touching the ground it should be behind the offside line
Since the laws make no attempt to define what constitutes being in front of the offside line, pedantry cannot help.I'm going to get pedantic now,
Nothing, but as Pinky says, provided their hands are behind the offside line.I'm going to get pedantic now, but what law stops a player from having their hands on the ground in a defensive, sprinter style start position? Surely we're not saying they're on the ground and out of the game? Even if you do as soon as they lift that hand they are back OK again?
I'm going to get pedantic now, but what law stops a player from having their hands on the ground in a defensive, sprinter style start position? Surely we're not saying they're on the ground and out of the game? Even if you do as soon as they lift that hand they are back OK again?