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 • Walla/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

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

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, but may join the lineout • 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 • At unplayables, the referee’s first focus will be on the tackler • If the tackle/ruck becomes unplayable due to the tackler becoming trapped, the Free Kick should be awarded to the ball carrier’s team (for “not rolling”) • If the tackle/ruck becomes unplayable due to no fault of the tackler’s team, a Free Kick should be awarded to the tackler’s team as per the ELV

35. Video – 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 • Sacking at a lineout is as per 2008 Law, ie. only one sacker and must be done immediately

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