Brycey
Juniors
- Messages
- 2,110
I watched over the weekend that a lot of backs usually when near their goalline or sideline tend to dive to the ground just prior to getting tackled rather than trying to contest the tackle. Now I am not 100% on this rule but I think how it is now if say they dived on the ground and the opposing player did not lay a hand on them to complete the tackle and they play the ball it is regarded as a penalty. The reason for this was ti discourage diving and to encourage contesting tackles.
I know it is a fine line but players seem to be diving more to force the opposition to complete a tackle without having to actually contest the tackle, should the rule be stretched over to say players must contest tackles and if not it shall be a penalty regardless of whether the tackle is complete. I know it would be hard to referee in some instances and should only be used for obvious cases, but I think its a bit of a blight on the game that a good kick and chase down the field is not getting rewarded because players chasing back for the ball do not necessarily have to contest the tackle.
I know it is a fine line but players seem to be diving more to force the opposition to complete a tackle without having to actually contest the tackle, should the rule be stretched over to say players must contest tackles and if not it shall be a penalty regardless of whether the tackle is complete. I know it would be hard to referee in some instances and should only be used for obvious cases, but I think its a bit of a blight on the game that a good kick and chase down the field is not getting rewarded because players chasing back for the ball do not necessarily have to contest the tackle.