I am sorting out the tackle-holding-on-a-ball situation.
Here is a representative situation:
A ball carrier (BC), Buck, in a Red (attacking) team runs into an opponent player, Rip, in a Blue (defending) team, who attempts to rip the ball. Buck resists and voluntarily drops to his one knee, while Rip is still upright and has a grip only on the ball. Then, clearly after Buck's knee drop, Rip has ripped the ball away from Buck.
a) Does holding only on a ball means holding the BC?
b) Does BC continuously have a ball possession until the ball is completely ripped off?
c) Does voluntarily going to ground make the tackled situation?
My understanding is generally all yes to the 3 questions above (for me question b can be no). Thus, it is a penalty on Rip for tackle holding (14-8a). Ref should have called “Tackle. Release holding.” Even when it is not called for some reasons, it is the same penalty.
My ruling could be "Play on." with this situation if I cannot see some registance by BC while he is on his knee but I can accept the all-yes judging as well if consistent. No acceptance for "Not releasing the ball", though.
Any thoughts?
Here is a representative situation:
A ball carrier (BC), Buck, in a Red (attacking) team runs into an opponent player, Rip, in a Blue (defending) team, who attempts to rip the ball. Buck resists and voluntarily drops to his one knee, while Rip is still upright and has a grip only on the ball. Then, clearly after Buck's knee drop, Rip has ripped the ball away from Buck.
- No other players from Red was binding to Buck so no maul was formed.
- Buck clearly had an option to stay standing but didn't do so but dropped his knee.
a) Does holding only on a ball means holding the BC?
b) Does BC continuously have a ball possession until the ball is completely ripped off?
c) Does voluntarily going to ground make the tackled situation?
My understanding is generally all yes to the 3 questions above (for me question b can be no). Thus, it is a penalty on Rip for tackle holding (14-8a). Ref should have called “Tackle. Release holding.” Even when it is not called for some reasons, it is the same penalty.
My ruling could be "Play on." with this situation if I cannot see some registance by BC while he is on his knee but I can accept the all-yes judging as well if consistent. No acceptance for "Not releasing the ball", though.
Any thoughts?