Technical Coach
Bencher
Just thought i would throw it out there for any ideas/rules rugby league could use to enhance the game in the future. I have a few to start with and might add a few more but i'm sure on second thought some of my ideas are probably worthy of an upper cut lol.
1) Starting with extending the 40/20 rule to all 40m touch finders has been mentioned a few times and I don’t mind the idea but can also see the down sides also. Wingers will be in two minds to either follow the up and in defence of his inside defender or hang back to defend the kick which will create overlaps from wingers coming in too late or hanging back and being isolated.
The downside is with the increased opportunities to gain easy field position through kicks more time at training will be devoted to kicking skills increasing the skill level and also increasing the amount of kicking in the game. (we don’t want aerial ping pong and looking like Union) I admire and appreciate the repetitive grind of making the hard yards but we also need to encourage unpredictability also.
2) As I’ve mentioned in another thread 5m red zones in front of try lines to reduce the impact shallow bombs are having on the game. Any kick caught on the full is a 20m restart in this area and in goal. Another upside for implementing a red zone is that it takes the pressure away from refs to get the decision correct in relation to whether the defender caught the ball in the field of play or not. If the ref gets it wrong the only downside is whether it is a play the ball in the red zone or a 20m restart it does not overly punish the defending side to another set of six.
3) Each team has two “seven tackle play options†up their sleeve to use whenever they please. Its not a stop play and indicate to the ref option “like a cricket powerplay†the only rule that needs to be applied is if your tackled on the 6th with a 7 tackle option up your sleeve you must use it (this prevents the stoppage from occurring) I think this rule will compliment the 40/20 rule as outside defenders like wingers have to think twice about dropping back on the 5th tackle in the predictable manner it is today just in case the attacking teams runs it on the 6th tackle.
Another upside is when the attacking team runs it on the 6th tackle and it does not come off a short rushed small kick may eventuate to not waste a 7 tackle play giving good field position to the defending side. Teams may decide to use the play for various reasons from attacking in the red zone to a surprise long distance play or just needing an extra tackle due to a bad set of 6 and not gaining much yardage, there are many ways you can benefit.
The score board will indicate how many remaining seven tackle plays each team has which can add an exciting element coming down to the wire from the fans point of view.
1) Starting with extending the 40/20 rule to all 40m touch finders has been mentioned a few times and I don’t mind the idea but can also see the down sides also. Wingers will be in two minds to either follow the up and in defence of his inside defender or hang back to defend the kick which will create overlaps from wingers coming in too late or hanging back and being isolated.
The downside is with the increased opportunities to gain easy field position through kicks more time at training will be devoted to kicking skills increasing the skill level and also increasing the amount of kicking in the game. (we don’t want aerial ping pong and looking like Union) I admire and appreciate the repetitive grind of making the hard yards but we also need to encourage unpredictability also.
2) As I’ve mentioned in another thread 5m red zones in front of try lines to reduce the impact shallow bombs are having on the game. Any kick caught on the full is a 20m restart in this area and in goal. Another upside for implementing a red zone is that it takes the pressure away from refs to get the decision correct in relation to whether the defender caught the ball in the field of play or not. If the ref gets it wrong the only downside is whether it is a play the ball in the red zone or a 20m restart it does not overly punish the defending side to another set of six.
3) Each team has two “seven tackle play options†up their sleeve to use whenever they please. Its not a stop play and indicate to the ref option “like a cricket powerplay†the only rule that needs to be applied is if your tackled on the 6th with a 7 tackle option up your sleeve you must use it (this prevents the stoppage from occurring) I think this rule will compliment the 40/20 rule as outside defenders like wingers have to think twice about dropping back on the 5th tackle in the predictable manner it is today just in case the attacking teams runs it on the 6th tackle.
Another upside is when the attacking team runs it on the 6th tackle and it does not come off a short rushed small kick may eventuate to not waste a 7 tackle play giving good field position to the defending side. Teams may decide to use the play for various reasons from attacking in the red zone to a surprise long distance play or just needing an extra tackle due to a bad set of 6 and not gaining much yardage, there are many ways you can benefit.
The score board will indicate how many remaining seven tackle plays each team has which can add an exciting element coming down to the wire from the fans point of view.