The Laws Explained - Part III - Law 10 Foul Play
Another Law, part of which seems not that well understood by players &/or spectators. Obviously some parts of this Law are, well bleeding obvious, but others seem mysterious.
Let's look at part of the Law, shall we?
10.1 OBSTRUCTION
(a) Charging or pushing. When a player and an opponent are running for the ball, either player must not charge or push the other except shoulder-to-shoulder.
(b) Running in front of a ball carrier. A player must not intentionally move or stand in front of a team mate carrying the ball thereby preventing opponents from tackling the current ball carrier or the opportunity to tackle potential ball carriers when they gain possession.
(c) Blocking the tackler. A player must not intentionally move or stand in a position that prevents an opponent from tackling a ball carrier.
(d) Blocking the ball. A player must not intentionally move or stand in a position that prevents an opponent from playing the ball.
(e) Ball carrier running into team mate at a set-piece. A player carrying the ball after it has left a scrum, ruck, maul or lineout must not run into team mates in front of the player.
(f) Flanker obstructing opposing scrum half. A flanker in a scrum must not prevent an opposing scrum half from advancing around the scrum.
The sanction for all of these is a penalty kick.
(a) Charging or pushing This one is pretty clear and obvious; when you are involved in a foot race for the ball, you can push shoulder-to-shoulder only. Leave your arms and hands in the usual running motion stuff.
(b) Running in front of a ball carrier Here it is folks! Obstruction, crossing, whatever you want to call it. The key phrase in this part of the law is ...thereby preventing opponents from tackling the current ball carrier or the opportunity to tackle potential ball carriers... So, the referee must determine whether the "crossing" has interfered with the defender's ability (or opportunity) to tackle. I suggest, therefore, that not all "crossing" is penalisable. Conversely, if the defender is sucked in to tackling the dummy runner, or is taken out by the dummy runner running into him, therby creating space for the actual ball carrier to run into, then he should be penalised.
(c) Blocking the tackler Pretty obvious this one. But sometimes it's much in the same vein as b.
(d) Blocking the ball Again pretty obvious, and quite rare to see in a game. If it does happen, the offender is usually berated by his team-mates for not just picking the thing up rather than AFL shepherding tactics. Or the offender has just crossed codes and forgotten where he is...
(e) Ball carrier running into team mate at a set-piece This is sllightly different to "accidental offside", which usually occurs at a non-set piece. The key here is that it's a set piece and the team mate is, therefore, likely loitering in an off-side position. And an intentional act. Probably.
(f) Flanker obstructing opposing scrum half Hardly ever seen in the game today....:iconrofl: Yeh, right. Flankers: take up whatever position you like in the scrum, but then hold that position. If you're virtually 90 degrees to your lock, well, wtf? You're not really helping to push are you? If ye change position after the ball is fed then ye shall be pinged.
Now, this is just a basic summary/explanation and I am more than happy to field all of those "what ifs" you want to throw at me. Bring 'em on!
