Scrum put in not straight.

[didds]

asked the kicking team to kick the goal from in line with where they would have put the ball down unchallenged.

under which law? what if they'd said "no" ? Sounds like you'd be painting yourself in a corner...

didds

 

[Dave Sherwin]

Fully agreed it is not in law but even as a lawyer I am (just occasionally) tempted to believe there are scenarios which are not fully covered by the laws. In open play, if I clearly obstructed a defender from making a critical tackle through my own poor positioning I would generally award a scrum to the attacking team (I've done this in an international and not been reprimanded - except for the poor positioning of course!). I drew a parrallel. Fully agree not ideal and I don't like making it up!

 

[didds]

there are plenty of scenarios that are not covered by law... but if you make a law up and are challenged on it you have shot your self in the foot - at best you look a mug and at worst you've lost all credibility.

didds

 

[Dave Sherwin]

If the law fails to cover a scenario and that scenario arises, I'm not sure I see how you cannot at least try to apply equitable principles / good management. I would imagine one of the (many and various!) marks of a good referee is his ability to apply equitable principles / manage the situation in such a way (and with such a tone / management style etc.) as to avoid looking like a mug or losing credibility. I'm sure wome would disagree, and I have no problem with that. Just my way of handling it!

 

[OB..]

there are plenty of scenarios that are not covered by law... but if you make a law up and are challenged on it you have shot your self in the foot - at best you look a mug and at worst you've lost all credibility.

didds

If the law fails to cover a scenario and that scenario arises, I'm not sure I see how you cannot at least try to apply equitable principles / good management. I would imagine one of the (many and various!) marks of a good referee is his ability to apply equitable principles / manage the situation in such a way (and with such a tone / management style etc.) as to avoid looking like a mug or losing credibility. I'm sure wome would disagree, and I have no problem with that. Just my way of handling it!

If a situation is not covered by law, the referee still has to make a decision. This also happens with ambiguous law and disputed interpretations. Not ideal but on the pitch I see no alternative.

(Dave - i assume "wome" is a typo for "some", not "women" :biggrin

 

[Dave Sherwin]

Whoops! Excellent typo!