Offseason Rule Change Idea #1

[magpie_man]

what if, when an attacking player with the ball crosses the sideline, it's simply classified as a tackle and the attacking team retains possession, plays the ball from where the scrum would otherwise be and continues through its set, sort of similar to in American football?
The advantage to a rule change like this is that it would encourage attacking teams to throw the ball out wide more and, hence, encourage more open play. It would bring the action towards the sidelines more frequently which would be better for spectators at the ground to see, rather than play mainly staying in the middle third of the field.
Thoughts?

 

[t-ba]

Implemented 40 years ago, great idea. Would have been great in tandem with limited tackles.

Horse has well and truly bolted, changes games structure far too much.

 

[Parra Pride]

Instead if a scrum, a team should get multiball after kicking a 40/20.

 

[t-ba]

Instead if a scrum, a team should get multiball after kicking a 40/20.

To be fair, this idea has merit, unlike everything topball related, but there's no way it can be implemented now.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

One problem with it that I can see is that it could be dangerous to have players running into touch more often. If you watch the NFL you'll notice how often some poor bloke on the sideline gets knocked over because the play has gone over the side line. Of course in NFL players deliberately run out of bounds, but even by encouraging them to push the limits we would see a lot more players being tackled right on the touch line and there would be a danger to both players and anyone on the sideline. It might be less on an issue in the NRL, but at some grounds in lower level competition it could be a real problem. Yes, it does happen with the rules as they are, but if players are less worried about the sideline it would happen a hell of a lot more.

 

[ozbash]

When a team is penalised the attacking team should be able to take a quick tap, not have to wait for the defending team to set themselves defensively.

 

[hellteam]

Instead if a scrum, a team should get multiball after kicking a 40/20.

Multiball would be actually pretty fun to watch (2 balls in play at once).... just sayin :sarcasm:

 

[muzby]

Multiball would be actually pretty fun to watch (2 balls in play at once).... just sayin :sarcasm:

That's something Paul Wood is saying after his injury..

 

[gerg]

Multiball would be actually pretty fun to watch (2 balls in play at once).... just sayin :sarcasm:

Why stop at 2 balls? Give every player a ball and then sit back and watch everybody run in different directions - no thats no good - it would look like AFL.

 

[canberra_raiders2k2]

Good idea but it makes the sideline cover defense useless.

Also notice whenever a post about changing the rules, the first thought is Topball? Hahaha

 

[Apey]

Ugh no, not now, not ever.

 

[Slackboy72]

How about unlimited tackles?

But seriously if I wanted to see something changed it would be the role of the 'pocket' referee.
WTF do those bludgers do?
Why is there a senior and junior ref with the senior ref marking the 10?
The pocket ref needs to be in there calling each tackle and being ruthless on slowdown tactics.

 

[Hoggy]

Baseball bats.

 

[LineBall]

Charging down a kick should NOT restart the tackle count.

 

[bartman]

Most important off season rule change should be to ditch the two ref system, and all the complex interpretations that have gone along with it.

 

[slamminsam246]

Charging down a kick should NOT restart the tackle count.

Amen!

 

[lockyno1]

1. Benefit of the doubt to the DEFENDING SIDE. Any doubt, "no try". Simple.
2. Obstruction, ANY player that runs through the line, it is an obstruction, make it very simple, I don't care if he runs through, he is obstructing the defence.
3. No golden point, golden try.
4. 18th player as a "substitute" to replace an injured player during the game.
5. Any person put on report spends 5 minutes in the sin bin

 

[Bring it home Knights]

1. Benefit of the doubt to the DEFENDING SIDE. Any doubt, "no try". Simple.
2. Obstruction, ANY player that runs through the line, it is an obstruction, make it very simple, I don't care if he runs through, he is obstructing the defence.
3. No golden point, golden try.
4. 18th player as a "substitute" to replace an injured player during the game.
5. Any person put on report spends 5 minutes in the sin bin

Do you honestly think that teams wouldn't abuse this rule? With 15 minutes to go, it's highly likely that players will go down injured. This way the fresh player can make an impact. I think this rule would negatively effect the game.

 

[LazyDreamer]

Charging down a kick should NOT restart the tackle count.

This has been my bugbear for years. Rewards sloppy work. Of course, we need refs/touchies competent enough to ensure the chasers were onside, so that may be why it hasn't been changed.

On a side note, would also like to see the rule that for every try a team scores, their cheergirls have to remove one item of clothing. Couple this with a 10 minute period of no tackling...

 

[umina panther]

Do you honestly think that teams wouldn't abuse this rule? With 15 minutes to go, it's highly likely that players will go down injured. This way the fresh player can make an impact. I think this rule would negatively effect the game.

Maybe the injured player has to miss the next week?
I still wouldn't want the rule