SEASON 2007-08 (Michaelmas Term)
EXPERIMENTAL VARIATION TO LAW 19 – LINE OUT
|
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED
The management of the line out is becoming more difficult as team tactics develop.
Increasingly, players interchange positions before the ball is thrown in and the 1 metre gap is not retained.
The throwing in team occasionally varies the number of players they put in the line. This leads to confusion as the opposing team adjusts to the maximum number the throwing in side has decided.
Different players take up the position of receiver. The receiver is entering the gap before the ball is thrown in and becoming a line out player.
Referees need to be able to concentrate on the priorities of safety and fair competition at the lineout and not be distracted by all this movement.
|
SOLUTION COMPATIBLE WITH IRB CHARTER
It is important that these areas (contact, general play and set pieces) of play can be fairly contested.
The experimental variation removes the right for the team throwing in the ball to decide the numbers. It allows each team to have as many players participating in the line out as they wish.
All other requirements of the Laws for the Line - Out are unchanged.
|
LAW VARIATION DETAILS
Law 19. 7 FORMING A LINE OUT
Remove sub sections (b), (c) – maximum number dictated by team throwing in.
(e) and (f). - team not throwing in to adjust to numbers within reasonable time.
|
GUIDANCE FOR REFEREES
The EV removes any limit on the number of players either team can position between the 5m and 15m lines.
However, a formed line out must still have a minimum of two players from each side.
The Law permitting a quick throw in is not affected.
Law 19.7. (d) still applies. Once in the line out, players must stay there until it has ended.
Other players may join the lineout provided this does not delay its formation or beginning.
It is for the referee to decide whether there is any delay or to apply a sanction.
When teams put more players than normal in the line out or the numbers participating are unequal, the refereeing of Law 19.16 Offside at Rucks and Mauls in the Lineout will require more attention.
|
FEEDBACK REQUIRED
Are numbers always equal?
What tactics are emerging?
How has the EV affected the refereeing of the line out ?
a) formation of lineout
b) speed of restart
c) prioritising offences
d) use of touch judges
e) safety factors
f) other aspects
|
RFU.com 
Clubs Near Me
