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Coaches Challenge

siv

First Grade
Messages
6,640
Here is my thoughts on the capatians challenge being proposed for teh All Stars match this year

One issue is how far back can you go in making a challenge ? I say it must be made within the current set of six or in a stoppage eg scrum / tap kick / before a try is awarded

Currently the rulebook allows for a Advantage Rule and allows a Touch Judge to come in at the end of a set of six if a infringement occured in backplay. Thus allowing advantage to occur if the infringement is to the advantage of the attacking team

Or he comes in immediately if it is ato be awarded to the defensive team

Most challenges will come from the "defensive team" - so WHEN to make the challenge and WHEN will play be stopped to review it will be a issue

Second issue is WHO raises the right of challenge - In NFL its coaches on the sideline, who ask for a review AFTER they see the replay on the big screen - while the team form up in the 45 sec in between play rucks. Rugby League has no such breaks

Also captains will be way too busy to ask "think" about a challenge and may not even be on the field, and it will take time to explain what they want to have reviewed

The coach or a sideline club representative to the video referee is still the best way make the "challenge" request

This allows the challenge to be reviewed while play is in progress - with a message on the big screen indicating Challenge In Progress - & Challenge dismissed. Thus allowing play not to be interupted for non events

If the Challenge is successful the video referee can then communicate at the next play the ball and ask the touch judge to run in flag up and stop play if the Challenge is successful. Allowing the challenge to be replayed on the big screen for the crowd and penalty awarded

2 coaches challenges seems the right number

I think using this model it could work. You may need two video refereees but that should not be a issue. Plenty of fans and ex-players, lady referees willing to have a go
 

mokn

Juniors
Messages
22
That is how i wanna see it done, i don't need our captain running out of his defensive position to try to get the refs attention when he wants to challenge. The coach should have a direct link the the video ref for challenges and if the challenge is successful he doesn't lose one.
They should also watch it at realtime speed, no slomo and have 20 seconds max to make the decision. As we don't wanna see play brought back a minute later.
 

Burwood

Bench
Messages
4,872
Let the captain make the call. They are on the field, they should be the ones that have control over the ebb and flow of the game.
 

siv

First Grade
Messages
6,640
Let the captain make the call. They are on the field, they should be the ones that have control over the ebb and flow of the game.

He may not have seen the issue - and may only want to talk to referee to slow down the game

Lets say it occurs on the 3rd tackle and he is in defence, can a captain really leave the defensive line to ask for a challenge ?
 

Burwood

Bench
Messages
4,872
He may not have seen the issue - and may only want to talk to referee to slow down the game

Someone sitting up in a box over 50m away will have a better view of the play?

Let the player involved in the incident look over at their captain and signal that they want to challenge the ref's call- captain then notifies the ref. A lot easier than players on the field trying to communicate effectively up to the coach's box and then having the coach notify the referee on the field.

As for the captain trying to slow down play, all the ref has to ask when approached by the captain is if they wish to challenge the call. If the captain says no then the ref just gets on with the game- no need to engage the captain in a lengthy conversation.

Lets say it occurs on the 3rd tackle and he is in defence, can a captain really leave the defensive line to ask for a challenge ?

What happens on the 3rd tackle that the captain wishes to challenge? The vast majority of things that happen on the field will already involve a stoppage of play in the form of a penalty or scrum- no need for the captain to leave the line of defence.
 

docbrown

Coach
Messages
11,842
Surely if a player sees an infringement on the field it only takes two words to call it out. First word is the opposition player's name/position/number and the second is the infringement type.

The captain - if he thinks it has merit - can then just signal with his hands without even having to look at the sideline or break the line - something like crossed arms over his head. The coaching support staff should be watching the broadcast and also have a spotter looking for the signal.

If the staff can't see the infringement then there's not much point calling/wasting a challenge.

If there's only two challenges a game you can bet that the majority will be called by the coaching staff and not by the players on field.

I also agree about real time review and a maximum review time length. It's a good concept but we don't want it slowing down the game.
 

AlwaysGreen

Immortal
Messages
49,080
The coach via onfield trainers are already telling the players what to do now. The coach relays a message to the captain who then calls the challenge.
 

Burwood

Bench
Messages
4,872
Aren't trainers only allowed on the field during attacking sets? They aren't running around the field relaying messages during defensive sets of play.
 

Quidgybo

Bench
Messages
3,052
The coach via onfield trainers are already telling the players what to do now. The coach relays a message to the captain who then calls the challenge.
If the coaches are going to call challenges then it'd be better to have the referees wearing wrist buzzers (like the vibrating coasters you get in some restaurants that tell you when your order is ready). Coach presses button, all on field officials get the signal immediately.

Leigh.
 

AuDragon

Juniors
Messages
2,253
As doc said, it only takes an agreed signal from the captain to the coach to request a review.
Let the coach(es) decide on the merits of a challenge, and relay it to the refs via a buzzer or some other signal if they think it's warranted. They carry a radio with them anyway nowadays...
 

siv

First Grade
Messages
6,640
If the coaches are going to call challenges then it'd be better to have the referees wearing wrist buzzers (like the vibrating coasters you get in some restaurants that tell you when your order is ready). Coach presses button, all on field officials get the signal immediately.

Leigh.

right idea but not the onfield offiacials - the coach buzzes the video ref
 
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