GUIDANCE FOR REFEREES
This phase of the Game must be refereed consistently to a high standard if the aim of this EV is to be achieved.
Be close and be there early. Spot the first offence. Communicate by voice. Watch arriving players.
Deal promptly and effectively with
a) the tackler who fails to release the tackled player and does not move away from it immediately,
b) the tackled player who does not release the ball or play it immediately and
c) other players who do not stay on their feet and intentionally go to ground at the tackle.
Encourage the immediate release and lay back of the ball. Communicate by voice.
The award of a Free Kick against the team in possession should the ball become unplayable is intended to be an incentive to that team to release the ball immediately.
Prevent pile-ups from occurring. Penalise players who wilfully fall on or over players lying on the ground.
Apply the principles defined in Law 14 that “the game is to be played by players who are on their feet and a player must not make the ball unplayable by falling down.”
It is an offence either to fall with no attempt to pick up the ball or to dive to seal off the ball.
To place hands on players on the ground for support constitutes going to ground and is an offence
Enforce the requirements that players arriving at the tackle must only do so “Through the Gate”.
The width of the gate is equal to the width of the area covered by the bodies of the players involved in the
tackle, as measured across the pitch, and will vary at each event.
For Advantage to be played when an offence happens at the tackle, the non-offenders need to get quick, quality ball so that they can achieve a tactical or territorial gain without the need for a P.K.
Do not penalise players who arrive at the tackle legally, attempt to play the ball correctly and have their hands on the ball just as a ruck is formed.
When the ball is clearly available to one team, allow players of that team who are on their feet to use a hand to exit the ball but not to pick it up.
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