RECENT CHANGES IN RUGBY LAWS

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 138, 17 September 1954, Page 3

RECENT CHANGES IN RUGBY LAWS

TAKING PENALTY KIGKS

(By

J. W.

Woodward)

Mention has been made from time to time of a penalty kick awarded for various infringements, and these notes would not be complete without an explanation of the change in the rule governing the taking of such a kick. Under the old rule the opposing team had to retire ten yards from the spot where the kick was awarded and then the ball, when kicked, had to reach this line unless first .played by an opponent. Now the offending team still has to retire ten yards but "the ball may be kicked in any direction towards the opponents goal-line, but it must travel at least five yards." The intention of the change, as in the case of most of the others, is to brighten up play, by creating an incentive to keep the ball in play and also to give added value to the penalty kick. Under the old law, when a penalty kick was taken it\ was necessary for the kicker's team to give away possession of the ball to comply with the ten yards rule. Now, it will be seen, the non-offending team may take the kick and retain possession. They may, as before, take the kick from the mark or as far behind it as they desire and so could, for instance, place twenty or thirty yards between themselves and their opponents and then kick the ball a yard or two in fropt of a team-mate for him to regain possession and carry on. This gives great scope for attack when in a suitable position or when circumstances warrant it, yet seldom is this manoeuvre attempted. A pity, but it will no doubt come as coaches and players become more accustomed to the rule and realise the possibilities that are there. We find differenees in the rule concerning taking the ball over the player's own goal-line. Under the old rule a drop-out was allowed if the ball was unintentionally taken back and made dead. Now, in every case, a scrum is awarded, and not as before at the spot where the ball was kicked, but "five yards from the goal-line opposite the place from which it was kicked, passed, knocked or carried back." The referee's task is thus made easier as he no longer has to judge whether the action was intentional or otherwise — and it is often an onerous job trying to interpret the intention of some players. I cannot conclude these articles without mentioning an alteration to the law on obstruction and the holding of players not in possession of the ball. We learn from the rule book that "Players should, however, not be penalised for holding if they drag away a player lying on the ground in close proximity to the ball but not in a scrummage." It becomes^ „apparent that allowing this "dragging away" of players to develop into the accepted thing would lead to no end of trouble and would result in many matches ending in brawls. Still, it is the law, so the N.Z.R.U. have asked that referees act quickly and penalise the player lying on or near the ball and remaining there so as to obstruct his opponents. j He is a very exasperating type as far as his opponents are concerned, and should rightly be ' penalised. This quick awarding of a penalty kick against the offender will prevent the mauling of players that otherwise would inevitably occur and will also prevent many frayed tempers and injured limbs. After all, Rugby is intended to be a recreation and a sport and the more that is done to keep it that way the better for all concerned. (Concluded)