1. Game Management Guidelines Australian Domestic Competitions 2004

2. Scrum (1) Scrum checklist –Make the mark –Scrum assembles off the mark –“Crouch & hold” –Zero tolerance on early engagement & pulling out –Angle of engagement – square –Front row to bind on engagement –Scrum to be square after engagement –Scrum half to stand on middle line –Credible feed –Check binding and angle of front row –Back row binding –Ball out

3. Scrum (2) The engagement –Invite players to crouch and hold –No problem if a team goes straight to crouch position –If front rows too close manage –Creeping liable to FK –Only engage on invitation to do so –Zero tolerance on early engagement and pulling out

4. Scrum (3) Binding –Props to bind on initial hit –If incorrect bind – liable to penalty –Hands on ground only Ok to save collapse –TJ to assist referee (normal protocol) –Ensure back row binds and leaving early –Flankers bound to locks – not props –No. 8 can change position – provided done legally –Be aware of obstruction at back of scrum (No. 8 & No. 9)

5. Scrum (4) Feed and angle of pack –Steady, square and parallel –No lateral movement –Referee movement after engagement –Delayed feeds – liable to Free Kick –Straight feed – must be credible –Props binding – No boring, twisting or dipping

6. Scrums (5) Collapsed scrum –Do not guess –Be consistent Scrum wheels –Early wheel –Whip wheel –Tight head pulling back

7. Tackle Tackle checklist –Tackler –Tackled player –Arriving players

8. Tackler MUST roll away regardless of where they fall Ball must be available immediately Be aware of tacklers preventing ball being played Unplayables can’t be a “cop out” Blow unplayables quickly A number of unplayables indicates a problem Must release ball carrier Must get to feet before playing ball Can’t prevent tackled player from releasing ball Definition of a tackler – check the Law

9. Tackled player Must play ball immediately Must release ball to player on his feet. Squeeze ball acceptable, provided ball immediately available

10. Arriving players Players on their feet holding ball in Voluntarily go to ground – penalty, both Attackers and Defenders “Players voluntarily going off their feet” Positively clearing out (making new tackle) Must use arms when cleaning out

11. Analogies for Arriving players Plane taking off – acceptable Plane landing – not acceptable Fork lift truck - acceptable If not fork lift – players are planes landing

12. Cleanout at the tackle Near the ball No wide hits or should charges Coffee table – 1 metre either side of ball

13. Tackle Approach Tackler only from “wrong side’ Definition of tackler (must be on ground) Other players from behind and parallel to touch line “Through the gate”

15. Other Tackle Issues Dangerous tackles –High –No arms –Spear –On the collar Tackles could be –Late –Early –Late and dangerous –Early and dangerous

16. Ruck/Maul Joining the ruck –Join from behind – not side –Not charge into side and clean out Cleaning out –Near the ball Rucking –Feet on bodies – not acceptable –Half back freeing ball (rucking ball) –Roll away to allow half back access to ball

17. Offside – Onside at Ruck/Maul Players in front of last feet Pillars to be “onside” Ball out Players on wrong side of Ruck/Maul TJ Role on offside at Ruck/Maul Players 2 – 3 wide of Ruck Lazy runners Referee Positioning

18. Other Maul issues Intent to collapse – liable to penalty Maul moving sideways – considered stationary

19. Lineout Slow formation Delayed throw Managing the 10m – attacking & defending Non throwing hooker Throwers foot in field of play Sacking Ball travelling 5 m Gaps Interference on jumper e.g. crushing Receiver joining the line

20. Touch Rulings Player inside 22 – ball outside and stationary –Has taken ball back – no gain in ground Player inside 22 – ball outside and in motion –Has not taken back – gain in ground Player plays ball outside 22, it then goes into 22 – considered to have put ball back –No gain in ground

21. Law 10 Foul Play High/Dangerous tackles –Safe environment –Benefit of doubt to safety Repeated infringements – team (sin bin) Deliberate infringements – sin bin 1 st time Law 10 sanctions Act sooner rather than later

22. Restarts House keeping –Correct kick, –Behind the line, –Players behind kick Receiver in the air Receivers running obstruction

23. Penalty & Free Kicks PK must be on or behind the mark Quick tap –On the mark or behind No. 8 (scrum) –Players on the ground – legal kick – play on –Hard line on throwing ball away and not releasing (delaying quick tap) –Players inside 10 m –“Milking” of 10 m

24. Advantage Knock-on advantage –Option is a scrum –Clear possession equivalent of a scrum Penalty advantage –Option is a penalty –No material gain – return for penalty

25. Other matters Offside in general play –Manage movement downfield, if player stops & no material effect, play on Option runners –Must be on-side –If runs in front of ball carrier before pass – liable to penalty if obstructs opponents –After pass, option runner must not obstruct opponents Touch Judge Role –Advice only (refer “pillars”) –Priorities Primary/secondary/tertiary roles