We are going to start looking at Law 15, which relates to free kicks over the next couple of weeks. This week we will focus on Law 15.2, as noted below;
15.2 FREE KICKS RELATING TO POSSESSION OF THE FOOTBALL
15.2.1 In Possession of the Football
A Player is in possession of the football if, in the opinion of the field Umpire:
(a) the Player is holding or otherwise has control of the football;
(b) the Player is in the act of bouncing the football; or
(c) the Player dives or lies on top of or drags the football underneath his or her body.
15.2.2 Remaining in Possession and Bouncing the Football
(a) A Player may remain in possession of the football for any length of time:
(i) unless the Player is Correctly Tackled by an opponent; or
(ii) unless directed to dispose of the football by a field Umpire; or
(iii) provided the Player complies with Law
(b) Where a Player is moving whilst in possession of the football, he or she must bounce or touch the football on the ground at least once every 15 metres, irrespective of whether such Player is running in a straight line or otherwise. For the purposes of this Law, a Player shall be deemed to be in possession of the football during the period when the Player handballs the football to himself or herself and regains possession without the football touching the ground.
(c) A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player if he or she is of the opinion that a Player has contravened Law 15.2.2(b).
Above all else, the field umpires will try and attain the best position on the playing surface, to observe the player with possession of the ball and when the situation arises, the tackler. All tackles must be legal and if not, the tackler will be penalised. For avoidance of doubt, in the very first article that was published for the Boot this season, we highlighted Law 15.4.5, which relates to prohibited contact and payment of free kicks.
Our field umpires are instructed to always err on the side of the ball player, as that person is the one ‘setting’ or making the play. The onus is on the tackler/s to make their tackles legal.
Next week we will look at the next parts of Law 15, Law 15.3 and hopefully if there’s enough room, 15.4.
Last Modified on 25/08/2010 16:52