Yardy Lard wrote:The natural instinct of a footballer is to go for the football - no matter where it is. This sliding in rule takes away the first thing a player is ever taught (to get the football)
Unfortunately this sliding rule, will mean the player who sweats off and stands there will be awarded a free kick if any part of the person going for the ball touches him below the knees.
Can see a valid point, if players dive in with their feet such as soccer players, as this would and will cause injury, but a player going in with his body or head should not be penalised for having the courage to go in and get the ball. Makes little sense.
The non-engaging, before a ruck contest really is a nothing rule. As soon as the ball is released by the umpires then the ruckmen then engage and lock arms. It only means you cant engage before an umpire lets the ball go. Ample time and opportunity to engage after either the central umpire or boundary umpire releases the ball. Cant quite work out why this rule is in, as it does nothing to stop the holding on at a clearance or stoppage IMO other than in the initial period.
Disagree completely! The sliding rule is excellent. It advantages and protects the first player to the ball, encourages contact and will help bring back the bump; just look at the Kerr example in the video.
The person who slides in is nearly always slightly second to the ball, the first person is normally standing over the ball and put in a very vulnerable position to someone who gets there momentarily later who can slide. This rules forces people to keep their feet and take contact through a proper bump.
Agree regarding the non-engaging ruck rule, the ruckman do the same thing, just after the ball goes up rather than before.
The rules should be applied in the SAAFL and its pretty crap that the umps aren't on the same page with it.
