Move to limit the distance the ball travels through the air

[Camquin]

I see the R&A are changing the specification of a golf ball, to rein in tee shots by the top golfers.

'New ball rules will hit golfers at every level'

Golf's rule makers choose to limit the distance the ball can be hit in decision that affects professionals and amateurs, writes Iain Carter.

www.bbc.co.uk

Do we think the IRB should do the same, to reduce the yardage gained through kicking and to encourage more running rugby?

 

[smeagol]

TPTB within golf are mandating changes to equipment to enforce such changes. Rugby doesn't have the same knobs to turn to attempt such a change.

 

[didds]

true - but ... CF the head gear stuff about kite marks etc.
Presumably WR/NGBs could have a regulation/law that a ball must conform to WR mark X which stipulates <whatever it is would minimise length of kick etc >

 

[Pinky2]

Make the minimum weight of the ball a bit more and it would reduce the distance that can be kicked and make carrying it more beneficial. Make it as heavy as a medicine ball and no one would be able to kick it at all!

 

[didds]

... or as light "as a feather" and it would have very little momentum./..

 

[Balones]

Quite simple. Bring back leather balls!

 

[Volun-selected]

Make the minimum weight of the ball a bit more and it would reduce the distance that can be kicked and make carrying it more beneficial. Make it as heavy as a medicine ball and no one would be able to kick it at all!

It works for Lelo:

The match ball is round and made of leather, filled with grass, horsehair or sheep's wool. It weighs 2.5 kg and is 85-90 cm long.

No kicking in Lelo. Or long passes.

Lelo burti - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jdeagro]

It works for Lelo:

No kicking in Lelo. Or long passes.

Lelo burti - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Interesting . Also:

lelo is played according to strictly defined rules on a proper pitch of 90-135 m in length

That's quite a variance in field length. As an American prop, that sounds tiring.

 

[BikingBud]

I feel that there is a lot of data to assess and understand but we do not seem to be seeing what has been captured or how it is being interpreted:

The Rugby Revolution.

This exciting new collaboration is centred around unlocking deep performance and fan engagement insights from the Gilbert smart rugby ball

The Gilbert smart rugby ball communicates with wireless beacons around the pitch enabling powerful augmented reality graphics which can power on-screen real-time match stats such as kick distance, pass distance and territory gained and presented across broadcast and digital channels.

Perhaps effective capture and analysis of this data should be undertaken before any decisions are taken on the form of the ball.

 

[Volun-selected]

Perhaps effective capture and analysis of this data should be undertaken before any decisions are taken on the form of the ball.

Not sure I follow, can you please provide some powerful augmented reality graphics to help me?

 

[BikingBud]

Not sure I follow, can you please provide some powerful augmented reality graphics to help me?

Not me mate, there's geeks that might but it seems not to be in use, unless someone knows different.

I do know that Frawley kicked a minter penalty goal to get a clear win for Leinster over La Rochelle, it seemed as they were close to no side it would just run the clock down but he slotted a beauty:

'It's a monster!' - Ciaran Frawley 60-metre penalty seals Champions Cup win for Leinster over La Rochelle - Rugby video - TNT Sports

Ciaran Frawley kicks 60-metre penalty in dying moments of Leinster's 16 Investec Champions Cup win over defending champions La Rochelle

www.tntsports.co.uk

Should we be messing with the ball to inhibit that kind of skill? That said if we can do anything to reduce the number of wasteful kicks some English 10s offer that would be a massive improvement.

Coming back the the Leinster v La Rochelle game it must also be said that Matt Carley was severely tested by 2 teams who were carrying quite a few left over niggles and unsettled scores from previous games. Under extreme pressure from both teams he did well to maintain control in a game of great intensity.