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Seeing as kicking is fast becoming the highlights of the game, I propose a tweaking of Law 18 be added to the ELVs to potentially reduce the number of kicks.
To quickly refreshen the memories of some:
Current Law 18 - Mark
To make a mark, a player must be on or behind that player’s 22-metre line. A player with one foot on the 22-metre line or behind it is considered to be ‘in the 22’. The player must make a clean catch direct from an opponent’s kick and at the same time shout “Mark”. A mark cannot be made from a kick off, or a restart kick except for a drop out.
A kick is awarded for a mark. The place for the kick is the place of the mark.
A player may make a mark even though the ball touched a goal post or crossbar before being caught.
A player from the defending team may make a mark in in-goal.
I propose the following changes:
To make a mark, [delete a player must be on or behind that player’s 22-metre line. A player with one foot on the 22-metre line or behind it is considered to be ‘in the 22’] the player must make a clean catch direct from an opponent’s kick and at the same time shout “Mark”. A mark cannot be made from a kick off, or a restart kick except for a drop out.
A free kick is awarded for a mark. The place for the kick is the place of the mark. Add The ball can be kicked directly into touch and the resultant lineout awarded to the kicking team at the place where it went into touch.
A player may make a mark ....cont.
In a nutshell, I'm proposing a mark can be awarded anywhere in the field of play. A free kick is awarded with the option of kicking the ball out on the full and getting the lineout. Open to debate ofcourse.