Head high tackles

[Impatient Sainter]

Why are we giving away so many head high tackle free kicks? I have noticed this creeping into our games over the last few weeks, and of the 31 frees the Crows got tonight 90% of them would have been for high tackles. Adelaide are a shorter team and dove forward with the ball, but we have to improve our tackling technique its that simple.

Im all for fierce physical pressure, but we need to limit the number of these dumb frees we are giving away, they will end up costing games!

[Banger9798]

When players get the ball and dive at your knees what are you supposed to do.

The one against Hill in the last quarter was ridiculous...literally couldn't do anything else as the guy dived at him

[bigcarl]

When players get the ball and dive at your knees what are you supposed to do.

The one against Hill in the last quarter was ridiculous...literally couldn't do anything else as the guy dived at him

A ploy from Adelaide which they milked all night. Not a great way to win a game, but it almost worked for them.

[Waltzing St Kilda]

Let's hope the same umpires don't officiate in any Geelong game as Selwood will end up with 56 frees.

[Sainter_Dad]

Let's hope the same umpires don't officiate in any Geelong game as Selwood will end up with 56 frees.

Nope - I do not like Selwood for the way he moves an arm up high by raising his arm but the Crows were leading with their head - a very dangerous practice....

What the Crows were doing was asking for a neck related injury - maybe that is what has happened to the player that needed neck surgery....

[desertsaint]

It's down to the afl and umpires to consider player safety and stop rewarding players that deliberately go low to draw the high tackle. it was definitely a tactic many of the smaller crows used to their advantage. one day it'll cripple someone.

[CURLY]

Fact is umpires got it wrong time and time again last night. When you pay that garbage early players catch on and replicate it at every chance. Blame the umpires they’re rewarding it.

[spert]

We did a fair bit of dumb tackling last night, just sloppy, but also the umpires were umpiring to the home crowd a bit to obviously.

[CURLY]

Five forward 50 frees to zero.

Huge advantage.

[The_Dud]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

[CURLY]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

[The_Dud]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

[CURLY]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Show you what.
It’s been mentioned countless times that if you duck or lead with your head it’s play on.

[Sainter_Dad]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Prior Opportunity: a designation to a Player in Possession of the Football who:
(a) is balanced and steady; or
(b) attempts to evade or fend an opponent; or
(c) has taken a Mark or been awarded a Free Kick; or
(d) has driven their head into a stationary or near stationary opponent.

[The_Dud]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Prior Opportunity: a designation to a Player in Possession of the Football who:
(a) is balanced and steady; or
(b) attempts to evade or fend an opponent; or
(c) has taken a Mark or been awarded a Free Kick; or
(d) has driven their head into a stationary or near stationary opponent.

That’s defining what ‘prior opportunity’ is, not what a legal or illegal tackle is.

Legal Tackle or Legally Tackled: a tackle by a Player where:
(a) the Player being tackled is in possession of the football; and
(b) that Player is tackled below the shoulders and above the knees.
For the avoidance of doubt, a Legal Tackle may be executed by holding (either by the body or playing uniform) a Player from the front, side or behind, provided that a Player held from behind is not pushed in the back.

[The_Dud]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Show you what.
It’s been mentioned countless times that if you duck or lead with your head it’s play on.

By who, commentators and fans?

That’s the rule book, show me.

[Scollop]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Show you what.
It’s been mentioned countless times that if you duck or lead with your head it’s play on.

By who, commentators and fans?

That’s the rule book, show me.

[CQ SAINT]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Prior Opportunity: a designation to a Player in Possession of the Football who:
(a) is balanced and steady; or
(b) attempts to evade or fend an opponent; or
(c) has taken a Mark or been awarded a Free Kick; or
(d) has driven their head into a stationary or near stationary opponent.

It should be considered charging and prior opportunity. Holding the ball rule should then apply.

[CURLY]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Show you what.
It’s been mentioned countless times that if you duck or lead with your head it’s play on.

By who, commentators and fans?

That’s the rule book, show me.

Ok sorry your right when you get the ball you can rhino charge head first into your opponent.

Free kick

[desertsaint]

Dudley is correct as far as i'm aware. the onus is still on the tackler regardless. The afl needs needs to instruct the umpires to adjudicate it so that deliberately leading with the head isn't rewarded. change the rules if need be, as interpretation is something most umps have little consistency in. i've heard calls on coaches to train players out of leading with the head - not going to happen if its winning them frees and games.

[The_Dud]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Prior Opportunity: a designation to a Player in Possession of the Football who:
(a) is balanced and steady; or
(b) attempts to evade or fend an opponent; or
(c) has taken a Mark or been awarded a Free Kick; or
(d) has driven their head into a stationary or near stationary opponent.

It should be considered charging and prior opportunity. Holding the ball rule should then apply.

For a ‘holding the ball’ free kick to be awarded there needs to be a legal tackle made.

18.6.2 Free Kicks - Holding the Ball: Prior Opportunity
Where a Player in Possession of the Football has had Prior Opportunity, a field Umpire shall
award a Free Kick if that Player does not Correctly Dispose of the football immediately when they are Legally Tackled.

[The_Dud]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Show you what.
It’s been mentioned countless times that if you duck or lead with your head it’s play on.

By who, commentators and fans?

That’s the rule book, show me.

Ok sorry your right when you get the ball you can rhino charge head first into your opponent.

Free kick

As opposed to being given carte blanche to smash in the head/neck any player not standing upright?

As I’ve said many times, you don’t actually know the rules, and you show it week after week with you rantings.

[The_Dud]

Dudley is correct as far as i'm aware. the onus is still on the tackler regardless. The afl needs needs to instruct the umpires to adjudicate it so that deliberately leading with the head isn't rewarded. change the rules if need be, as interpretation is something most umps have little consistency in. i've heard calls on coaches to train players out of leading with the head - not going to happen if its winning them frees and games.

I agree. I’m not a fan of ‘playing for frees’ in any sport, I don’t think it’s a good look, but the rules are the rules and teams/players are always going to try exploit them to their benefit.

The rules needs to change (along with a few others), but until then we need to be smarter.

[Scollop]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Show you what.
It’s been mentioned countless times that if you duck or lead with your head it’s play on.

By who, commentators and fans?

That’s the rule book, show me.

Ok sorry your right when you get the ball you can rhino charge head first into your opponent.

Free kick

It happened a couple of times early in the game and the Adelaide short-arses were getting rewarded by the umpires so… What would you do if you were in their position? Of course you’d milk it! It’s what Lonie used to do for a while there …wasn’t it?!

Our blokes should have been smarter. Stand your ground but don’t go the full arm swing. Don’t try and wrap up a player in a bear hug if their head is pointing straight at your hips. Put the arms up in the air to highlight that you are basically stationary

I agree that it looked like a rhino charge. I was furious with the first couple paid against us, but after that I thought, surely our guys have learnt from that. That’s where leadership on field matters. That’s where some one including the assistant coaches should make players aware of their tactics early on

[CQ SAINT]

Just because you’re going low to win the ball doesn’t give the opposition free reign to whack you high.

Tackling technique was poor and didn’t adapt throughout the game.

If you take possession then dive into the on coming tackler it’s not supposed to be a free. Not my rule the AFLs.

Nothing to do with technique

Show me.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docume ... ooklet.pdf

Prior Opportunity: a designation to a Player in Possession of the Football who:
(a) is balanced and steady; or
(b) attempts to evade or fend an opponent; or
(c) has taken a Mark or been awarded a Free Kick; or
(d) has driven their head into a stationary or near stationary opponent.

It should be considered charging and prior opportunity. Holding the ball rule should then apply.

For a ‘holding the ball’ free kick to be awarded there needs to be a legal tackle made.

18.6.2 Free Kicks - Holding the Ball: Prior Opportunity
Where a Player in Possession of the Football has had Prior Opportunity, a field Umpire shall
award a Free Kick if that Player does not Correctly Dispose of the football immediately when they are Legally Tackled.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl ... heh3g.html

Read that Dud. Its all about interpretation. Blind Freddy and even you could see what was going on. The interpretation is clearly inconsistent, despite the guidelines. Its just easier to pay the high contact but its clearly not correct and omI can't remember one careless tackle being laid, let alone a reckless one. The ducking and diving is the reckless bit and should be penalised as such. What if there was a concussion and the free was paid and he dove. Do we pay weeks in suspension or rely on interpretation?