ELV Implementation in Community Rugby for 2009

1. ELV Implementation in Community Rugby for 2009

2. ELVs for 2009 • IRB recently approved some Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) for use across the world from 1st August 2008 • IRB asked nations who were already trialing extra ELVs to continue to do so • ELVs have been trialled in Premier Rugby over the last 2 years, including down to 4th Grade in Sydney in 2008 • In 2009, we are extending the current trials to all levels of rugby in Australia

3. ELVs for 2009 • For the first time since 2006, all levels of the game, from S14 to U19s will be playing the same game • Mini/Midi Laws will adopt some of the ELVs • We are not the first country to play ELV at all levels (In 2008, South Africa did the same thing)

4. Structure of Presentation • For each ELV, this presentation will cover: • What the Law change is and some practical interpretations for referees • Other game management issues • Some implications for coaches • We will stop for questions after each section

5. Scrum - ELV • An offside line 5m behind the hindmost feet of the scrum • This offside line moves as the scrum moves • Referee’s focus on defending team should be similar to lineout • Incorrect binding by props is a Free Kick • Back-row not staying bound = Offside = Penalty Kick

6. VIDEO SCRUM 1

7. Scrum - ELV • Scrum-half offside lines change • Ball-winning scrum-half is allowed to leave the scrum in any direction after feeding the ball • If he does so, he must have at least one foot behind the ball • The non-feeding scrum-half may choose to stand 5m back, but otherwise MUST stand next to the feeding scrum-half

8. Scrum - ELV • After the ball is fed, the scrum-half whose team does not win the ball has two options: • 1) Follow the ball through the scrum on the side the ball was fed, staying within 1 metre of the scrum • 2) Go directly back to the hindmost foot in the scrum and then take up a position anywhere behind this offside line (ie. he can leave the scrum and drift into midfield)

9. Scrum – Other Management • Engagement sequence remains CROUCH, TOUCH, PAUSE, ENGAGE • Hands in the scrum is now a Free Kick

10. Scrum – Coaching Tips • Strength of scrum determines how you play FKs • Ability to slow the game down (change tempo) • Provides excellent attacking platform • Technically proficient to get ball in and out quickly • If wheel, need to follow through the wheel after the ball exits, to keep opposition backrow out of the 10m channel • Defensive scrum-half positioning (use 6 or 7 or other players to play the role of the scrum-half?)

11. Quick Throw - ELV • May be thrown in straight or toward the throwing team’s own goal line • Must still cross the 5m line (not just travel 5m) • A player tackled over the sideline must give the ball up to an opposition player – otherwise Penalty Kick • Quick throw only allowed between where the ball went into touch and the throwing team’s goal line • At a kick out on the full you cannot run up-field to throw beyond where the ball went into touch

12. VIDEO QUICK THROW 1

13. Quick Throw - ELV • A player who attempts to block a quick throw-in, must not stop the ball from travelling across the 5m line – otherwise Free Kick • Only the player throwing the ball in may touch the ball after it has gone into touch (incl. spectators, ball boys, and other teammates) • Does not include fences, bins, dogs or other objects (ie. you may still take a Quick Throw after the ball touches any of these things)

14. VIDEO QUICK THROW 2

15. Quick Throw - ELV • Referees should be sure to manage offside players at kicks even when the ball is clearly going out • Offside players should not be able to block attempted quick throws • Once the ball lands in touch, offside players may then head towards the place for the line-out

16. Quick Throw – Coaching Tips • Dictating game tempo • Avoid a poor lineout by taking quick throw – especially with no numbers at lineout • Develop a kick return strategy • Provides broken play attack opportunities • Importance placed on kick-chase and defensive lines

17. Put back into 22m - ELV • If a team puts the ball back into their own 22m area, and the ball is subsequently kicked out on the full= no gain in ground • Once a tackle, ruck or maul is formed inside the 22m area, the team may then kick for touch on the full= gain in ground allowed

18. Put back into 22m - ELV • A tackled player with some part of their body on the 22m line or inside the 22m area is considered to have been tackled inside the 22m area • A scrum/lineout where the ‘mark’ is on the 22m line is considered inside the 22m area • This ELV principle also applies to the ball once it is in touch as per following scenarios…

19. Put back into 22m - ELV • A ball in touch gathered in front of the 22m line, run back behind the 22m line and thrown in quickly = no gain in ground from a kick out on full • A ball in touch gathered behind the 22m line, and thrown in quickly= gain in ground from a kick out on full allowed • This is regardless of where the ball went into touch

20. Put back into 22m - ELV • A quick throw-in taken outside the 22m, and thrown across the 22m line into the 22m area = no gain in ground from a kick out on full • The referee may assist teams by calling “Inside!” or “Passed back!” to indicate whether a ball may be kicked out on the full

21. VIDEO PUT BACK INTO 22

22. Put back into 22m – Coaching Tips • Player knowledge of their options important • Ask open questions to players: when and why would we kick return or run return? • Probability of aimless kicking - Kick option must target landing outside 22m area • Provides more counter-attack opportunities (for kick receipt team) • Think ahead – opposition have a set piece outside the 22m – what are their options? So where do we stand?

23. Lineout – ELV • Neither side determines numbers in a lineout (minimum remains 2 from each team) • Lineout players may pre-grip and lift teammates • Lifting on legs still illegal at U19 Level

24. VIDEO LINEOUT 1

25. Lineout – ELV • The receiver (usually the half-back) must be at least 2m from the lineout when formed, and may join • Since there are no numbers, either receiver may join independently of each other • A receiver is optional

26. Lineout – ELV • It is mandatory to have an immediate opponent of the thrower (usually the non-throwing hooker) • This player must: • Stand between the 5m line and the touch-line and • Be 2 metres from both the 5m line and the line-of-touch (ie. can’t be 9m back!)

27. VIDEO LINEOUT 2

28. Lineout – Coaching Tips • Same principles apply – especially for 2/4 ball • Fewer lineouts, so you need to balance time given to them at training • Provides setup variation on defensive lineouts • Scrum-half / winger as non-throwing hooker • Ability to have 9 defensive players (3 x 3 pods) without a receiver

29. Tackle – ELV • All offences at the tackle are Free Kicks except: • Incorrect entry (not through the gate) • Foul play (this includes deliberate, cynical and repeated infringements – to discuss later)

30. VIDEO TACKLE

31. Ruck – ELV • All offences at the ruck are Free Kicks except: • Offside (includes ‘in the side’ at ruck) • Foul play (this includes deliberate, cynical and repeated infringements – to discuss later)

32. VIDEO RUCK

33. Tackle/Ruck – ELV • The order of priority for the referee remains: • Tackler • Tackled player • Arriving players • If the ball becomes unplayable at the tackle/ruck, then the team not in possession at the commencement of the tackle/ruck is awarded a Free Kick

34. Tackle/Ruck – ELV • This new ELV places more importance on ensuring the tackler complies with Law • In the past, on occasions, the referee may have given the tackler the “benefit of the doubt” if he thought he couldn’t roll away • Now, referees should be strict on the tackler and unplayables should be rare • Zero tolerance should apply to tacklers who illegally slow up or stop the attacking team gaining possession

35. VIDEO TACKLER FOCUS / UNPLAYABLES

36. Tackle/Ruck – Other Management • Post-tackle, referees should not call ‘ruck’ before a ruck has actually formed, denying the defensive team a turnover • Referees should ensure both defensive and attacking players enter through the gate • A player who does not go to ground in the act of making a tackle is NOT a tackler and must enter through the gate

37. VIDEO NOT A TACKLER

38. Tackle/Ruck – Other Management • Rucking is not illegal – you may ruck the ball with studs pointing toward your own goal line • Stamping and trampling are illegal • The ball is not out of the ruck until it is completely clear of bodies • The half-back may dig for the ball (ie. hands on is NOT out)

39. Tackle/Ruck – Coaching Tips • “The Gate” – more important that player know the Law as it is a “full arm” penalty • Counter-Rucking - Who? When? Where? • Attacking the isolated attacker / kick receiver • Turn-over ball - how can we best utilise it? • Key Points: • Identify Threat / React / Skills Set

40. Maul – ELV • If the ball becomes unplayable at the maul, then the team not in possession at the commencement of the maul is awarded a Free Kick • A collapsed maul is considered unplayable unless the ball is immediately available • Joining a maul from the side = Offside = Penalty Kick

41. VIDEO MAUL 1

42. Maul – ELV • When joining a maul, a player’s head and shoulders may be lower than their hips • ‘Truck and trailer’ obstruction is still illegal • Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down (does NOT apply at U19 level) • Players attempting to pull down a maul may only play at opponents between the shoulders and the hips

43. Maul – ELV • If defending players attack the legs, neck or head, they should be penalised • If defending players go to ground intentionally to ‘speed hump’ the maul, they should be penalised • In U19s, sacking at a lineout is as per 2008 Law

44. VIDEO MAUL 2

45. Maul – Coaching Tips • Maul is not dead! Need to develop: • Supporting structure: getting the ball to the back • Building the face • Less speed = more control • Rolling maul with breakout • Defensive options available: • Sack / Tackle / Drive back / Isolate ball carrier

46. Sanctions – ELV • Sanctions are reduced from Penalty Kick to Free Kick wherever possible (full list will be provided) • Referees are encouraged to call ‘Penalty advantage’ to let teams know when they have a full-arm penalty advantage • More FKs means more Free Kicks taken quickly • Referees should make a mark as quickly as possible, and move away, to allow for free kicks to be taken quickly

47. Sanctions – ELV • If Free Kicks are taken quickly, they must be taken correctly • The ball must leave the hands • The kick must be taken on or behind the mark • Players may charge a Free Kick as soon as the kicker starts his approach to kick • If they prevent the kick being taken, or being taken on the mark, a scrum is awarded to the non-kicking team

48. Sanctions – ELV • Zero tolerance on players preventing a Free Kick being taken quickly by throwing the ball away or not releasing it – Advance 10m • Players must give the ball to an opponent who tries to take it from him, or put it on the ground where he is standing

49. VIDEO FREE KICKS

50. Sanctions – ELV • More Free Kicks has two major implications for the way advantage is played: • First, a team may gain a greater advantage from the Free Kick being awarded quickly than they would from advantage being played • Second, Free Kick advantages, when played, will often be over quickly, as all that is required is time and space, quick possession and players to use the ball