OFFSIDE IN FRONT OF A KICKER
Rationale: Teams and players have recognised that in a kick battle with opponents, the kicking team - providing they are more than 10 metres away from the ball alighting - can be put onside by the actions of the catcher who runs 5 metres,
passes or kicks.
This has created freedom for players to loiter in the middle and wait for a kick tennis battle to conclude. The new wording makes clear that any player who is offside in open play needs to take action to put themselves onside and not just remain stationary.
The clauses relating to the catcher running 5 metres and passing the ball to put an opponent onside, will be removed.
Law 10.1 A player is offside in open play if that player is in front of a team-mate who is carrying the ball or who last played it. An offside player must not interfere with play. This includes:
a. Playing the ball.
b. Tackling the ball-carrier.
c. Preventing the opposition from playing as they wish.
d. Loitering in an offside position
Law 10.4 An offside player may be penalised, if that player:
a. Does not make an effort to retreat and interferes with play; or
b. Move towards the ball; or
Law 10.7 Other than under Law 10.4c, an offside player can be put onside when:
a. An onside team-mate of that player moves past the offside player and is within or has re- entered the playing area.
b. An opponent of that player:
i. Kicks the ball; or
ii. Intentionally touches the ball without gaining possession of it.
QUESTIONS
The kick receiver intentionally plays the ball with hand or foot without gaining possesion?
All the players in front of their kicker must retreat. Then they can move forward once the ball has been intentionally played without gaining possession
What happens if there is no player to put players onside?
i.e. kicker tackled with no support?
All the players in front of their kicker must retreat until put onside
When ball goes into touch – what is the obligations for the players who was in front of kick inside 10m and those outside 10m?
The ball is still live (ie a Quick throw is on) then the offside players still need to be retreating
and can’t benefit from loitering. Only when ref blows whistle or AR arm goes out for a full
lineout makes ball dead and so the players can move to the line. (2012 LAG)
What is a retreat?
Players in a offside position must move backwards – walk, jog
New Definition – Loiter / Loitering
A player who remains in an offside position is loitering. A loiterer who prevents the opposing team from playing the ball as they wish is taking part in the game, and is liable to sanction. A loiterer must not benefit from being put onside by the opposing team’s action.
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