Iron_Lung
Referees in America
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2010
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To begin this thread let us open our hymnals to Law 19.7 - Incorrect Throw In, and address clause (b):
(b) The throw-in at the lineout must be taken without delay and without pretending to throw.
The question then becomes what defines "pretending to throw". I had a situation last game where the hooker would stand relaxed with the ball up, then when the calls were made, he would move his weight to his front foot and then throw the ball in. A couple of times the defending team jumped as he moved onto his front foot, causing them to jump early.
So does any movement qualify as "pretending to throw" under the law, or does only an act that could be construed as throwing (but isn't) be considered? In this case I was comfortable that his throwing pattern was consistent and he was simply preparing to throw rather than trying to cause the defending team to jump early.
As a side note for the pedants, why is it that players yell "balking" when it isn't included or defined by the laws??
(b) The throw-in at the lineout must be taken without delay and without pretending to throw.
The question then becomes what defines "pretending to throw". I had a situation last game where the hooker would stand relaxed with the ball up, then when the calls were made, he would move his weight to his front foot and then throw the ball in. A couple of times the defending team jumped as he moved onto his front foot, causing them to jump early.
So does any movement qualify as "pretending to throw" under the law, or does only an act that could be construed as throwing (but isn't) be considered? In this case I was comfortable that his throwing pattern was consistent and he was simply preparing to throw rather than trying to cause the defending team to jump early.
As a side note for the pedants, why is it that players yell "balking" when it isn't included or defined by the laws??