Same Game, Almost the Same Rules

As the 2007 season slowly creaks into gear, the snow melts and the boys and girls of our great game start running around the parks and kicking the footy, it’s time for us to get the rules into action. 

As usual, there is plenty of speculation, interpretation and confrontation about our great game.  You only have to read any newspaper following the preseason cup to know that umpires are in the news for all of the wrong reasons.  Stricter interpretations are the blame and the AFL has produced a fantastic DVD explaining how these will impact our game in Australia.  I am here to help you interpret the interpretations on the DVD (if that makes sense).

As usual, we follow the development of the game from Australia, and follow their expectations, however we are in a unique position, so we need to adapt to our situation.  The LAWS OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL 2007 highlights a number of different areas that they feel need clarification.  I have interpreted these through the lens of the USAFL and commented below.   Some of these are repeated from last year, but still need clarification, so bear with me.

AFL LAWS OF THE GAME- 2007 INTERPRETATIONS
The AFL Commission has approved a number of changes to the Laws of the Game for the 2007 AFL Premiership Season.  These are detailed on the DVD- LAWS OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL 2007 that will be forwarded to all clubs as soon as it becomes available to the USAFL.
The changes/interpretations are as follows:
1 - Removing the requirement for defensive players to wait until the flags have been waved after a point has been scored, before bringing the ball back into play;
THE RULE WILL NOT BE USED IN THE USAFL.

2 - Allowance of a shot for goal to be taken from directly in front of the goal for any mark taken, or free kick awarded, within the goal square;
THIS RULE WAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE USAFL LAST YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE.
3 - Automatic re-start of time-on from the time the umpire crosses arms to when the ball is bounced.
WE DON’T HAVE TIME ON.

4 - Limit the time for players to line up for set shots to 30 seconds;
UMPIRES ARE AWARE OF THIS RULE AND WILL APPLY IT AS NECESSARY.

5 - Reduced tolerance of holding players up after a mark or free kick;
SECOND YEAR OF THIS RULE AND EXPECT IT TO BE ENFORCED AS NECESSARY.

6 - Less time taken to award a 50m penalty;
UMPIRES WILL AWARD THESE PENALTIES QUICKLY WITHOUT CONSULTATION.

7 - Stricter interpretation of the deliberate out of bounds law;
ALL PLAYERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS FOLLOWING THE INTERPRETATION FROM LAST YEAR.

8 - Stricter policing of holding and blocking in marking contests;
SPIRIT OF THE LAW- EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO CONTEST THE FOOTBALL

9- Greater focus on detecting infringements by tagging players.
COACHES NEED TO BE AWARE THAT UMPIRES WILL BE WATCHING SO THAT PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED TO CONTEST THE FOOTBALL.

10.  Stricter enforcement of holding and blocking in marking and ruck contests.

SAME SPIRIT OF THE LAW- PLAYERS HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTEST THE FOOTBALL.

NEW LAW FOR 2007

15.4 Free Kick- Permitted and prohibited physical contact.
15.4.5 Prohibited contact and payment of a free kick.

A player makes prohibited contact with an opposition player if he or she;
(n) bumps of makes forceful contact to an opponent from front on when that player has his/her head down over the ball.
NOTE: a player can bump an opponent’s body from side on but any contact forward of side on will be deemed as front on.
A player with his head down in anticipation of winning possession of the ball will be deemed to have his head down over the ball for the purposes of this law.

I don’t reckon that this is a contentious issue or new rule at all.  It’s all about protection of the player going for the ball and this has always been of utmost importance in all leagues in all countries where our game is played.  The DVD has explicit examples of this rule and as umpires we look forward to ensuring the safety of players as they put their head over the ball.

STRICTER INTERPRETATIONS
There are three stricter interpretations that have been adopted by the AFL and ultimately the USAFL this year.

MARKING CONTESTS, ROUGH CONTACT, and CHARGING.
Again, these are clearly discussed and explained on the DVD, and should not be controversial.
Players need to keep their hands away from the bodies of the opposition as they attempt to mark the football or they will be penalized.  For some players, this will be a steep learning curve after years of mal, but accepted, practice.  I hope that they are able to adapt as quickly as our umpires must.
Rough Contact and Charging, are common sense interpretations, and I would request that coaches show the DVD examples to all of their players as soon as they receive this tool.

So there you have it.  It’s all about to happen again.  I personally can’t wait, and on behalf of all umpires throughout the United States, thanks for your anticipated support as we work with you this year.

Could I ask that Coaches make their players aware of the article attached, about the treatment of officials?  I think that throughout the USAFL that football teams and umpires work wonderfully together, but it never hurts to make this relationship stronger.  PREVENTING ABUSE OF OFFICIALS gives us as opportunity to understand just how important this relationship is to us all.

Cheers,
Brian Green
USAFL Umpire Coach

- Brian Green
(874)