Set Shot Misses To Be Penalised
February 9th 2009 13:17
The AFL has this evening announced that a player who misses his set shot for goal will be penalised with a free kick against. AFL Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson said the move was a positive initiative from the Rules Committee.
The AFL has long had battles with both wastage of time and deliberately allowing the ball to leave the field of play, and it claims that set shot misses are one of the key offenders of both of these.
"When a player lines up a shot, it takes far too long. Measures are already in place to ensure that shots are taken within 30 seconds," Anderson said. "This is time that could be used for fast, TV-friendly action that would captivate audiences and, most importantly, attract sponsors.
"Having the shot miss the target and only advance the team's score by only one point seems like that half-minute has been wasted.
"Of course, the player is also, quite clearly, deliberately booting the ball out of the field of play. That action cannot be condoned."
Anderson explained that this move would encourage shots at goal on the run, rather than from over the mark.
"Everyone prefers shots on the run - they are much more exciting. I always get goosebumps when, say, Buddy Franklin turns and plays on from the mark. It's what people want to see," he added.
Under the new rule. a player who misses a set shot will have to kick the ball in the wrong direction from the spot the shot had been taken, and the opposition would regain possession from the point the ball landed, instead of the traditional kick-out from the goal square.
"The AFL feels that viewers would rather see more action football and less of players pulling their socks up," Anderson explained. "We are confident that, in general, the football world will understand the reasons for this decision and will support it."
The new rule will be implemented in the NAB Cup, and could be in place for Round One of the season proper if the Rules Committee deems it successful.
The AFL has long had battles with both wastage of time and deliberately allowing the ball to leave the field of play, and it claims that set shot misses are one of the key offenders of both of these.
"When a player lines up a shot, it takes far too long. Measures are already in place to ensure that shots are taken within 30 seconds," Anderson said. "This is time that could be used for fast, TV-friendly action that would captivate audiences and, most importantly, attract sponsors.
"Having the shot miss the target and only advance the team's score by only one point seems like that half-minute has been wasted.
"Of course, the player is also, quite clearly, deliberately booting the ball out of the field of play. That action cannot be condoned."
Anderson explained that this move would encourage shots at goal on the run, rather than from over the mark.
"Everyone prefers shots on the run - they are much more exciting. I always get goosebumps when, say, Buddy Franklin turns and plays on from the mark. It's what people want to see," he added.
Under the new rule. a player who misses a set shot will have to kick the ball in the wrong direction from the spot the shot had been taken, and the opposition would regain possession from the point the ball landed, instead of the traditional kick-out from the goal square.
"The AFL feels that viewers would rather see more action football and less of players pulling their socks up," Anderson explained. "We are confident that, in general, the football world will understand the reasons for this decision and will support it."
The new rule will be implemented in the NAB Cup, and could be in place for Round One of the season proper if the Rules Committee deems it successful.
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