TonyK
CibbuanoAFL makes law changes
November 24th 2006 06:56
The AFL Commission has approved one change to the Laws of the Game to provide greater protection for a player with their head over the ball.
The Commission decided that under Rule 15.4.5 that a free kick will apply wherever a player bumps or makes forceful contact from front on when that player has his head down over the ball.
It was also decided that under Rule 19.2.2 that “intentionally, recklessly or negligently bumping or making forceful contact to an opponent from front on when that player has his head down over the ball” will be a reportable offence and strict sanctions will be applicable.
Under the ruling a player can bump an opponent’s body from side on but any contact forward of side on will be deemed to be front on.
A player with his head down in anticipation of winning possession of the ball or after contesting the ball will be deemed to have his head down over the ball for the purposes of this law.
The AFL Tribunal Table of Offences – Demerit Points will specifically include this offence with a high weighting compared with other offences.
The changes will come into effect for the NAB pre-season Cup and the 2007 premiership season.
AFL football operations general manager Adrian Anderson said the law changes would provide greater protection for players who are playing the ball and also minimise the chance of causing a serious spinal and head injury in our game.
“We are committed to protecting the head, neck and spine of players,” he said.
“The rationale for the change is that a player with his head down over the ball is in a vulnerable position and needs to be protected. We want to reduce any possibility of serious spinal and head injuries.”
There will also be stricter policing in 2007 of hands in the back in marking contests and relating to dangerous tackles such as by unnecessarily and dangerously driving an opponent into the ground with their arms pinned.
The charging rule is also being reviewed as part of the 2006 review of the tribunal and match review panel system.
Once finalised details and examples of all interpretations will be included in the umpires’ pre-season rules presentation and the revised instructional DVD.
The Commission decided that under Rule 15.4.5 that a free kick will apply wherever a player bumps or makes forceful contact from front on when that player has his head down over the ball.
It was also decided that under Rule 19.2.2 that “intentionally, recklessly or negligently bumping or making forceful contact to an opponent from front on when that player has his head down over the ball” will be a reportable offence and strict sanctions will be applicable.
Under the ruling a player can bump an opponent’s body from side on but any contact forward of side on will be deemed to be front on.
A player with his head down in anticipation of winning possession of the ball or after contesting the ball will be deemed to have his head down over the ball for the purposes of this law.
The AFL Tribunal Table of Offences – Demerit Points will specifically include this offence with a high weighting compared with other offences.
The changes will come into effect for the NAB pre-season Cup and the 2007 premiership season.
AFL football operations general manager Adrian Anderson said the law changes would provide greater protection for players who are playing the ball and also minimise the chance of causing a serious spinal and head injury in our game.
“We are committed to protecting the head, neck and spine of players,” he said.
“The rationale for the change is that a player with his head down over the ball is in a vulnerable position and needs to be protected. We want to reduce any possibility of serious spinal and head injuries.”
There will also be stricter policing in 2007 of hands in the back in marking contests and relating to dangerous tackles such as by unnecessarily and dangerously driving an opponent into the ground with their arms pinned.
The charging rule is also being reviewed as part of the 2006 review of the tribunal and match review panel system.
Once finalised details and examples of all interpretations will be included in the umpires’ pre-season rules presentation and the revised instructional DVD.
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