Offside ruling

[Belgian Saint]

If the touch judges marshalled offside properly, couldn't that free the ref to position himself at the play-the ball and stop the nonsense going on there? That might also obviate the need for the ref to scream instructions to the players at the top of his voice.

Too easy a fix for the RFL

[The Wee Waa Womble]

If the touch judges marshalled offside properly, couldn't that free the ref to position himself at the play-the ball and stop the nonsense going on there? That might also obviate the need for the ref to scream instructions to the players at the top of his voice.

All the touch judges do is wave their flags for goals and call the odd forward pass, that and walk on the pitch for absolutely no reason to shout at play of the balls that are anywhere near the sideline. They are arguably the most useless entities in sport.

[DewiSant]

If the touch judges marshalled offside properly, couldn't that free the ref to position himself at the play-the ball and stop the nonsense going on there? That might also obviate the need for the ref to scream instructions to the players at the top of his voice.

That really does seem to be the most blindingly obvious way to clean up both the ptb and observance of the 10 metres so it's a mystery to me why (so far as I recall) it has never been tried. But even the Aussies preferred to experiment with a second ref, rather than trust the touchies.

That makes me think there must be some technical reason for the reluctance, but I can't for the life of me think what it is. Do any of our more technically knowledgable posters (esp. those with experience of reffing) know what it is? (Or would care to hazard a guess?)

[brook]

That really does seem to be the most blindingly obvious way to clean up both the ptb and observance of the 10 metres so it's a mystery to me why (so far as I recall) it has never been tried. But even the Aussies preferred to experiment with a second ref, rather than trust the touchies.

That makes me think there must be some technical reason for the reluctance, but I can't for the life of me think what it is. Do any of our more technically knowledgable posters (esp. those with experience of reffing) know what it is? (Or would care to hazard a guess?)

I'm sure they tried the touch judge doing the offside not long after the beginning of superleague. Didn't last to long for some reason.

[DewiSant]

I'm sure they tried the touch judge doing the offside not long after the beginning of superleague. Didn't last to long for some reason.

I don't remember that, but if they did and scrapped it it reinforces my suspicion that there must be some reason why it can't work. Just seems odd that no-one seems to know what it is!

[STIDDY]

I don't remember that, but if they did and scrapped it it reinforces my suspicion that there must be some reason why it can't work. Just seems odd that no-one seems to know what it is!

I think they concentrate more on the ruck maul and the resulting PTB looking for infringements when its about 15 metres from the touch line. Its the ref who sets the 10 metres and although the ref and touch judge are wired up maybe they are not in synch when the ref tells to play. Also the ref allows a bit of tolerance of around a metre to let the game flow, if the touch judge play a stricter off side we would probably have an off side in every set loads of penalties and a stop start game.

[DewiSant]

I think they concentrate more on the ruck maul and the resulting PTB looking for infringements when its about 15 metres from the touch line. Its the ref who sets the 10 metres and although the ref and touch judge are wired up maybe they are not in synch when the ref tells to play. Also the ref allows a bit of tolerance of around a metre to let the game flow, if the touch judge play a stricter off side we would probably have an off side in every set loads of penalties and a stop start game.

It certainly would be a nightmare for a few games but, as RM suggested above, there is no reason to assume that it wouldn't settle down to the benefit of the game if the RFL stuck with it. (Though they don't have a very good record on that)

(And it seems a bit nonsensical (to me) to worry about giving the refs help policing the ruck 15 m from the touchlines but no help further infield!)

[clintsmate]

It certainly would be a nightmare for a few games but, as RM suggested above, there is no reason to assume that it wouldn't settle down to the benefit of the game if the RFL stuck with it. (Though they don't have a very good record on that)

(And it seems a bit nonsensical (to me) to worry about giving the refs help policing the ruck 15 m from the touchlines but no help further infield!)

For the benefit of the game the clubs and players need to buy into the idea, and unless ALL clubs did so it is unlikely to work, I suspect. But it must be worth a try, as it is pretty obvious from this thread that we are all fed up with players coming up early and denying the attacking side space to play an attractive brand of the game.

[DewiSant]

For the benefit of the game the clubs and players need to buy into the idea, and unless ALL clubs did so it is unlikely to work, I suspect. But it must be worth a try, as it is pretty obvious from this thread that we are all fed up with players coming up early and denying the attacking side space to play an attractive brand of the game.

If it were enforced rigorously and consistently I don't see that the clubs would have any choice but to 'buy into' it but, as I say, the RFL is not noted for its 'rigour and consistency' in such matters.

[BackrowSaint]

That really does seem to be the most blindingly obvious way to clean up both the ptb and observance of the 10 metres so it's a mystery to me why (so far as I recall) it has never been tried. But even the Aussies preferred to experiment with a second ref, rather than trust the touchies.

That makes me think there must be some technical reason for the reluctance, but I can't for the life of me think what it is. Do any of our more technically knowledgable posters (esp. those with experience of reffing) know what it is? (Or would care to hazard a guess?)

Difficult for the players to gauge the appropriate 10m without a reference point nearby, hence why the referee sets it within a close distance to PTB. If the PTB was middle of the pitch, players would have to look to the sideline to see if they were onside.

[clintsmate]

If it were enforced rigorously and consistently I don't see that the clubs would have any choice but to 'buy into' it but, as I say, the RFL is not noted for its 'rigour and consistency' in such matters.

I agree, and it would only take one or two coaches to 'push it' a little and before you know it all the clubs would be at it and the RFL would probably say " it isn't working". And that would be that.

[DewiSant]

Difficult for the players to gauge the appropriate 10m without a reference point nearby, hence why the referee sets it within a close distance to PTB. If the PTB was middle of the pitch, players would have to look to the sideline to see if they were onside.

That's the most rational explanation I've heard so far, but there would be linesman at both sides of the pitch and I don't see why it would be too difficult for a player to glance to each side to make sure they are in line with both. And of course once one or two players are in position they all become a reference point for each other. And it shouldn't then be too difficult for the touchies to see if anyone is in front of the 'line' the two of them make across the pitch.

So, on balance, I'm still awaiting a convincing explanation!

[BackrowSaint]

That's the most rational explanation I've heard so far, but there would be linesman at both sides of the pitch and I don't see why it would be too difficult for a player to glance to each side to make sure they are in line with both. And of course once one or two players are in position they all become a reference point for each other. And it shouldn't then be too difficult for the touchies to see if anyone is in front of the 'line' the two of them make across the pitch.

So, on balance, I'm still awaiting a convincing explanation!

One linesman would be on the line of the ball monitoring for forward passes so generally will only be one linesman on one side. Each ptb is about 6-8 seconds so for the set line to navigate all the way across the pitch in that time (bearing in mind 3 or 4 seconds will be retreating 10m) it'd be pretty chaotic.

[Belgian Saint]

Difficult for the players to gauge the appropriate 10m without a reference point nearby, hence why the referee sets it within a close distance to PTB. If the PTB was middle of the pitch, players would have to look to the sideline to see if they were onside.

I don’t see why the refs can’t still set the 10 mtrs with the touch judges ensuring players stay behind him.