ELV Implementation in Community Rugby for 2009

ELVs for 2009 IRB recently approved some Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) for use across the world from 1st August 2008 IRB asked nations who were already trialing extra ELVs to continue to do so ELVs have been trialled in Premier Rugby over the last 2 years, including down to 4 th Grade in Sydney in 2008 In 2009, we are extending the current trials to all levels of rugby in Australia

ELVs for 2009 For the first time since 2006, all levels of the game, from S14 to U19s will be playing the same game Walla/Mini/Midi Laws will adopt some of the ELVs We are not the first country to play ELV at all levels (In 2008, South Africa did the same thing)

Structure of Presentation For each ELV, this presentation will cover: What the Law change is and some practical interpretations for referees Other game management issues Some implications for coaches We will stop for questions after each section

Scrum - ELV An offside line 5m behind the hindmost feet of the scrum This offside line moves as the scrum moves Referee’s focus on defending team should be similar to lineout Incorrect binding by props is a Free Kick Back-row not staying bound = Offside = Penalty Kick

Video – Scrum

Scrum - ELV Scrum-half offside lines change Ball-winning scrum-half is allowed to leave the scrum in any direction after feeding the ball If he does so, he must have at least one foot behind the ball The non-feeding scrum-half may choose to stand 5m back, but otherwise MUST stand next to the feeding scrum-half

Scrum - ELV After the ball is fed, the scrum-half whose team does not win the ball has two options: 1) Follow the ball through the scrum on the side the ball was fed, staying within 1 metre of the scrum 2) Go directly back to the hindmost foot in the scrum and then take up a position anywhere behind this offside line (ie. he can leave the scrum and drift into midfield)

Scrum – Other Management Engagement sequence remains CROUCH, TOUCH, PAUSE, ENGAGE Hands in the scrum is now a Free Kick

Scrum – Coaching Tips Strength of scrum determines how you play FKs –Ability to slow the game down (change tempo) –Provides excellent attacking platform Technically proficient to get ball in and out quickly If wheel, need to follow through the wheel after the ball exits, to keep opposition backrow out of the 10m channel Defensive scrum-half positioning (use 6 or 7 or other players to play the role of the scrum-half?)

Quick Throw - ELV May be thrown in straight or toward the throwing team’s own goal line Must still cross the 5m line (not just travel 5m) A player tackled over the sideline must give the ball up to an opposition player – otherwise Penalty Kick

Video - Quick Throw 1

Quick Throw - ELV A player who attempts to block a quick throw-in, must not stop the ball from travelling across the 5m line – otherwise Free Kick Only the player throwing the ball in may touch the ball after it has gone into touch (incl. spectators, ball boys, and other teammates) Does not include fences, bins, dogs or other objects (ie. you may still take a Quick Throw after the ball touches any of these things)

Video - Quick Throw 2

Quick Throw - ELV Referees should be sure to manage offside players at kicks even when the ball is clearly going out Offside players should not be able to block attempted quick throws Once the ball lands in touch, offside players may then head towards the place for the line-out

Quick Throw – Coaching Tips Dictating game tempo Avoid a poor lineout by taking quick throw – especially with no numbers at lineout Develop a kick return strategy Provides broken play attack opportunities Importance placed on kick-chase and defensive lines

Put back into 22m - ELV If a team puts the ball back into their own 22m area, and the ball is subsequently kicked out on the full = no gain in ground Once a tackle, ruck or maul is formed inside the 22m area, the team may then kick for touch on the full = gain in ground allowed

Put back into 22m - ELV A tackled player with some part of their body on the 22m line or inside the 22m area is considered to have been tackled inside the 22m area A scrum/lineout where the ‘mark’ is on the 22m line is considered inside the 22m area This ELV principle also applies to the ball once it is in touch as per following scenarios…

Put back into 22m - ELV A ball in touch gathered in front of the 22m line, run back behind the 22m line and thrown in quickly = no gain in ground from a kick out on full A ball in touch gathered behind the 22m line, and thrown in quickly = gain in ground from a kick out on full allowed This is regardless of where the ball went into touch

Put back into 22m - ELV A quick throw-in taken outside the 22m, and thrown across the 22m line into the 22m area = no gain in ground from a kick out on full The referee may assist teams by calling “Inside!” or “Passed back!” to indicate whether a ball may be kicked out on the full

Video – Put Back into 22

Put back into 22m – Coaching Tips Player knowledge of their options important Ask open questions to players: when and why would we kick return or run return? Probability of aimless kicking - Kick option must target landing outside 22m area Provides more counter-attack opportunities (for kick receipt team) Think ahead – opposition have a set piece outside the 22m – what are their options? So where do we stand?

Lineout – ELV Neither side determines numbers in a lineout (minimum remains 2 from each team) Lineout players may pre-grip and lift teammates Lifting on legs still illegal at U19 Level

Video – Lineout 1

Lineout – ELV The receiver (usually the half-back) must be at least 2m from the lineout when formed, but may join the lineout Since there are no numbers, either receiver may join independently of each other A receiver is optional

Lineout – ELV It is mandatory to have an immediate opponent of the thrower (usually the non-throwing hooker) This player must: –Stand between the 5m line and the touch-line and –Be 2 metres from both the 5m line and the line-of-touch (ie. can’t be 9m back!)

Video – Lineout 2

Lineout – Coaching Tips Same principles apply – especially for 2/4 ball Fewer lineouts, so you need to balance time given to them at training Provides setup variation on defensive lineouts –Scrum-half / winger as non-throwing hooker –Ability to have 9 defensive players (3 x 3 pods) without a receiver

Tackle – ELV All offences at the tackle are Free Kicks except: Incorrect entry (not through the gate) Foul play (this includes deliberate, cynical and repeated infringements – to discuss later)

Video – Tackle

Ruck – ELV All offences at the ruck are Free Kicks except: Offside (includes ‘in the side’ at ruck) Foul play (this includes deliberate, cynical and repeated infringements – to discuss later)

Video – Ruck

Tackle/Ruck – ELV The order of priority for the referee remains: –Tackler –Tackled player –Arriving players If the ball becomes unplayable at the tackle/ruck, then the team not in possession at the commencement of the tackle/ruck is awarded a Free Kick

Tackle/Ruck – ELV At unplayables, the referee’s first focus will be on the tackler If the tackle/ruck becomes unplayable due to the tackler becoming trapped, the Free Kick should be awarded to the ball carrier’s team (for “not rolling”) If the tackle/ruck becomes unplayable due to no fault of the tackler’s team, a Free Kick should be awarded to the tackler’s team as per the ELV

Video – Unplayables

Tackle/Ruck – Other Management Post-tackle, referees should not call ‘ruck’ before a ruck has actually formed, denying the defensive team a turnover Referees should ensure both defensive and attacking players enter through the gate A player who does not go to ground in the act of making a tackle is NOT a tackler and must enter through the gate

Video – Not a Tackler

Tackle/Ruck – Other Management Rucking is not illegal – you may ruck the ball with studs pointing toward your own goal line Stamping and trampling are illegal The ball is not out of the ruck until it is completely clear of bodies The half-back may dig for the ball (ie. hands on is NOT out)

Tackle/Ruck – Coaching Tips “The Gate” – more important that player know the Law as it is a “full arm” penalty Counter-Rucking - Who? When? Where? Attacking the isolated attacker / kick receiver Turn-over ball - how can we best utilise it? Key Points: –Identify Threat / React / Skills Set

Maul – ELV If the ball becomes unplayable at the maul, then the team not in possession at the commencement of the maul is awarded a Free Kick A collapsed maul is considered unplayable unless the ball is immediately available Joining a maul from the side = Offside = Penalty Kick

Video – Maul 1

Maul – ELV When joining a maul, a player’s head and shoulders may be lower than their hips ‘Truck and trailer’ obstruction is still illegal Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down (does NOT apply at U19 level) Players attempting to pull down a maul may only play at opponents between the shoulders and the hips

Maul – ELV If defending players attack the legs, neck or head, they should be penalised If defending players go to ground intentionally to ‘speed hump’ the maul, they should be penalised Sacking at a lineout is as per 2008 Law, ie. only one sacker and must be done immediately

Video – Maul 2

Maul – Coaching Tips Maul is not dead! Need to develop: –Supporting structure: getting the ball to the back –Building the face Less speed = more control –Rolling maul with breakout Defensive options available: –Sack / Tackle / Drive back / Isolate ball carrier

Sanctions – ELV Sanctions are reduced from Penalty Kick to Free Kick wherever possible (full list will be provided) Referees are encouraged to call ‘Penalty advantage’ to let teams know when they have a full-arm penalty advantage More FKs means more Free Kicks taken quickly Referees should make a mark as quickly as possible, and move away, to allow for free kicks to be taken quickly

Sanctions – ELV If Free Kicks are taken quickly, they must be taken correctly The ball must leave the hands The kick must be taken on or behind the mark Players may charge a Free Kick as soon as the kicker starts his approach to kick If they prevent the kick being taken, or being taken on the mark, a scrum is awarded to the non-kicking team

Sanctions – ELV Zero tolerance on players preventing a Free Kick being taken quickly by throwing the ball away or not releasing it – Advance 10m Players must give the ball to an opponent who tries to take it from him, or put it on the ground where he is standing

Video – Free Kicks

Sanctions – ELV More Free Kicks has two major implications for the way advantage is played: First, a team may gain a greater advantage from the Free Kick being awarded quickly than they would from advantage being played Second, Free Kick advantages, when played, will often be over quickly, as all that is required is time and space, quick possession and players to use the ball

Sanctions – ELV Law 10 allows for the referee to award a Penalty Kick for an action usually sanctioned by a Free Kick if the referee considers the action to be: A repeated infringement An intentional infringement This allows the referee to escalate sanctions throughout the game as or if required

Sanctions – ELV Repeated infringements can be: –A number of different offences within a short period of time –A pattern of similar offences without a time limit –Repeated infringements by an individual without a time limit Repeated infringements can result in an immediate escalation to a Penalty Kick without warning A referee must warn a team about repeated infringements before taking Yellow Card action

Video – Repeated Infringements

Sanctions – ELV Intentional infringements can result in: An immediate escalation to a Penalty Kick without warning, or An immediate escalation to a Penalty Kick and a Yellow Card without warning This is dependant on the cynical nature of the infringement

Video – Intentional Infringements

Sanctions – Coaching Tips Make use of the FK charge Speed of the ball to the mark determines options Designate “tappers” and have a calling system to identify weaknesses in opposition Communication and support roles essential - don’t have players get isolated! No set starting point (in Attack v Defence) Full arm penalty utilisation (don’t waste em!)

Minor ELVs Accredited touch judges will now be known as Assistant Referees These people have an unrestricted role in assisting the referee (but ONLY as requested by the referee) Non-accredited individuals will remain as Touch Judges and cannot report foul play

Minor ELVs The corner post is no longer considered to be touch-in-goal If the ball is grounded against the post, or a player steps on the base of the post, the ball is considered touch-in-goal If the ball hits the corner post and bounces back into the field of play – play on If the ball hits the corner post and bounces into touch – lineout

Other ELV Coaching Tips ELVs focus more importance on support play: –Pass / Offload / Post-tackle Support Distinct patterns on turn-over ball: –Attack / Transition / Defence Need to develop more “game based training”: –Identify a scenario and train that –Look at turning it into a mini-game at training –More ‘Attack’ v ‘Defence’ with unstructured numbers

Other changes for 2009 Swearing directed at a referee, assistant referee or touch judge is an automatic red card offence U19 Laws have been altered by the ARU to bring them into line with IRB International U19 Laws: Sin-bin and send-off players may not be replaced (except in Walla, Mini and Midi) Sin-bin is now 10 mins (except Walla, Mini and Midi where it remains 5 mins)

Questions?