Martin Doughty
New member
I'm looking at the variations to the Law on lineouts, in particular the "no competition, play on" on a not straight lineout.
If the throw is straight to the jumper - or even to his outside shoulder - or maybe even as far as he can reach(?) - and the opposition do not jump then we say "no competition, play on".
But where do we draw the line on not straight?
If the throw goes straight to the scrum half (a 'participant' in the lineout) without any jump from the opposition then I think we'd all blow for not straight. But this is not written anywhere in the Laws.
The advice I've heard, from one of our senior referees, is that if the jumper/catcher has to leave the line before he can reach the ball then it is not straight.
Does anyone have any guidance or opinions here? I'd rather have this discussed here before someone tries it in one of my matches
If the throw is straight to the jumper - or even to his outside shoulder - or maybe even as far as he can reach(?) - and the opposition do not jump then we say "no competition, play on".
But where do we draw the line on not straight?
If the throw goes straight to the scrum half (a 'participant' in the lineout) without any jump from the opposition then I think we'd all blow for not straight. But this is not written anywhere in the Laws.
The advice I've heard, from one of our senior referees, is that if the jumper/catcher has to leave the line before he can reach the ball then it is not straight.
Does anyone have any guidance or opinions here? I'd rather have this discussed here before someone tries it in one of my matches
