Dissident wrote:doggies4eva wrote:I agree with the above - the question is what is prior opportunity?
In my view the current pace of footy means that about 2 seconds is long enough to take possession and dispose of it - some of the skillful players can get a ball out of a pack faster than that.
After that once a tackle is laid a player must dispose of it by either a handball or kick - if an arm is pinned reward the tackler.
If the ball is jarred free by the tackle play on.
This all seems straightforward. Why does it not appear to happen on a consistent basis?
I don't agree with rewarding the tackler if one arm is pinned. Maybe that's just the way I look at it though? As I said before - if you have no opportunity before the tackle and then one arm is pinned (thereofre still creating no opportunity) then how can a free kick be given. I'm all for rewarding a tackle - but you have to remember that you're *penalising* the person being tackled who, in that instance, would have none nothing wrong.
As for the pace of the game - well I don't think that affects what prior opportunity is. For every bit faster that a person can get rid of the ball, the person chasing to tackle is that little bit faster too. It's all relative.
What I said was 1. Allow prior opportunity -otherwise play on or ball up.
2. If a tackle is then laid and an aem pinned it should be a free - they had prior opportunity. That's what the rule says!
The point about pace of the game was a player at league level should have the skills to move the ball quickly.
