AFL tackles head-high contact (afl site)

[one-eyed]

AFL tackles head-high contact

By Nathan Schmook
afl.com.au
Thursday, August 8, 2013

PLAYERS drawing head-high contact will be prominent on the agenda when senior coaches and the AFL umpires list meet in November to discuss the laws of the game.

In a new initiative ahead of the 2014 season, the AFL will bring together coaches and umpires to "deliver greater clarity and consistency around key interpretations of the laws".

Players drawing head-high contact by dropping their knees or shrugging their arms have become a growing source of frustration for supporters. 

There are also fears for the safety of players who choose to lead with their head once taking possession of the ball, as Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis did in round 18.

Others topics set for discussion are:

- Players drawing free kicks other than for head-high contact
- Illegal disposal in tackling
- Marking contests
- The protected area around the player with the ball
- Ruck contests

AFL football operations manager Mark Evans said the planned sessions were designed to assist the way umpires and clubs prepared for an upcoming season.

Evans outlined the proposal to club CEOs on Wednesday at their two-day conference in Creswick in central Victoria and wrote to all club football departments on Thursday.

"In recent seasons we have seen both umpires and clubs adjusting to the requirements of the laws … once the season is underway," Evans said.

'This has often led to some confusion in the opening weeks of the year around some key points before the game settles as the year progresses."

November's sessions will take place after the AFL Commission has determined its view on the laws of the game.

The 18 coaches will still have a voice on the laws of the game committee, however, after Collingwood interim football manager Rodney Eade was added to the panel.   

Evans said it was hoped umpires would be coached to apply the laws in a particular way, and coaches could prepare their players on how the laws would be applied.

"Our umpiring department is always striving for consistency through the entire list across a weekend of matches and through a whole season," he said.

'The aim here will be to have these matters finalised before pre-season training starts, to improve both the decision-making process and how clubs prepare their players."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-08-08/high-tackle