: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:49 pm  

just as they won't be enough teams to play under the old set of rules.

However, just to keep in mind

OzTag is the only sport bigger than Touch rugby played in Australia. It has over 36,000 registered players at the last count. In Ireland Tag Rugby is also one of the biggest played sports, with over 2,000 registered players. Slight different sport (and bigger county), but in Knoxville Flag Football (tag version of American Football) they have around 50 to 60 teams (made up of around 10 - 15 players) each season.

Last year we had about 250 players who played in the league. And even in the IMBRL days when Wigan and Warrington (and Castleford, Heavy Wollen Donkeys plus others I've missed) played Tag the most in one season would have only reached around 400.

What is the biggest difference between them and us? They play no contact.

You might be unhappy, but for the sport its the best thing to happen. There is already interest from a group of people in Wakefield looking to set up a second team (to play in the tournaments rather than the league), while plans are already being made to create a weekly tag rugby league to rival the touch ones already in operation.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:09 pm  

With respect to all those who have put a lot of work into the new rules, I think we're potentially in just as big a mess now. The Fax v Hull game today was probably one of the most frustrating experiences I've ever had. I don't think there could have been more than half a dozen completed sets in the whole game and at one point four or five consecutive plays resulted in a penalty. Nobody wants to play a game like that (no criticism of the ref mind you who did a good job under the circumstances).

As discussed at length in other places there was clearly a need to moderate some of the near full contact stuff that was going on last year but some common sense has to prevail. There is already a form of the game where no contact is allowed (fingertips aside) - it's called touch. The main gripe today wasn't the use of the shoulder to assist a tag but the absolute ban on any type of fending/using your arm to defend your tag. Nobody wants to see a straight arm to the mush but using your arm to protect yourself - or in our game, the tag - and thwart a defender as you reach the 'contact' area is a fairly fundametal part of the game.

I appreciate what the RFL is trying to achieve but frankly, the concept of any form of competitive rugby that can be played in total safety by individuals of any age, gender etc is basically flawed. In trying to acheive that we could alienate a whole swath of players who for various reasons don't want to play full contact but still want to play something which broadly resembles the game we all enjoy.

Perhaps what we really need is some clarity on what leeway is available for teams to agree before a game which rules they want to play.

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:27 am  

the-rickster wrote:

With respect to all those who have put a lot of work into the new rules, I think we're potentially in just as big a mess now. The Fax v Hull game today was probably one of the most frustrating experiences I've ever had. I don't think there could have been more than half a dozen completed sets in the whole game and at one point four or five consecutive plays resulted in a penalty. Nobody wants to play a game like that (no criticism of the ref mind you who did a good job under the circumstances).

As discussed at length in other places there was clearly a need to moderate some of the near full contact stuff that was going on last year but some common sense has to prevail. There is already a form of the game where no contact is allowed (fingertips aside) - it's called touch. The main gripe today wasn't the use of the shoulder to assist a tag but the absolute ban on any type of fending/using your arm to defend your tag. Nobody wants to see a straight arm to the mush but using your arm to protect yourself - or in our game, the tag - and thwart a defender as you reach the 'contact' area is a fairly fundametal part of the game.

I appreciate what the RFL is trying to achieve but frankly, the concept of any form of competitive rugby that can be played in total safety by individuals of any age, gender etc is basically flawed. In trying to acheive that we could alienate a whole swath of players who for various reasons don't want to play full contact but still want to play something which broadly resembles the game we all enjoy.

Perhaps what we really need is some clarity on what leeway is available for teams to agree before a game which rules they want to play.

I agree, playing in that game was extremely frustrating. the first tag i made i got penalised for too much contact, the fax guy stepped inside, i was sliding in defence and he stepped right into me. i made the tag and got penalised!!!!

Also, i thought the "hand-off" rule was still in place, but hand offs were below the chest, when did it change to none whatsover!??

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:47 am  

I understand why the rules were put in place, but they just do NOT work.
I have played this tag thing for about 7 years now, played lots of games in lots of tourneys from both Hull IMBRL to Keele University 7's and I have NEVER seen anyone seriously injured, in fact, the worst injuries I have come across having suffered some myself have been broken/dislocated fingers caused by trying to grab a small tag from someone running as fast as, so in some ways the new rules are counter productive. Contact should be minimal, of course if it gets out of hand it should be dealt with by the ref, and I do agree that their should be no fending to the chest and above, but the new rules effectively take the skill out of the game. If you cant run into someone, defensively you could just form a big line in the middle of the field and stop any progress to the forwards. This game we play was in no better place than when we were having regular tourneys at Hull and Sheffield with teams such as York, London, Shef Union, Shef, Cas, Wakey, Halifax, Hull, Hull KR, Shef pros, Fev, Leigh, Leeds playing in good spirit. The introduction of redtape and box ticking will only serve to drive away those who set the foundations upon which this whole thing was built and the players who set it up, which frankly is tantamount to criminal. Fax lost at least 3 experienced players yesterday, not including myself and my bro who will not play again unless something is done, one of which was a founder member of our club and a very experienced player, myself and my brother are both very experienced players, Jakey being one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the comp and myself being player of the tourney at the Hull IMBRL 7's in 2005, you are losing the backbone of the whole game!

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:24 am  

beax wrote:

I understand why the rules were put in place, but they just do NOT work.
I have played this tag thing for about 7 years now, played lots of games in lots of tourneys from both Hull IMBRL to Keele University 7's and I have NEVER seen anyone seriously injured, in fact, the worst injuries I have come across having suffered some myself have been broken/dislocated fingers caused by trying to grab a small tag from someone running as fast as, so in some ways the new rules are counter productive. Contact should be minimal, of course if it gets out of hand it should be dealt with by the ref, and I do agree that their should be no fending to the chest and above, but the new rules effectively take the skill out of the game. If you cant run into someone, defensively you could just form a big line in the middle of the field and stop any progress to the forwards. This game we play was in no better place than when we were having regular tourneys at Hull and Sheffield with teams such as York, London, Shef Union, Shef, Cas, Wakey, Halifax, Hull, Hull KR, Shef pros, Fev, Leigh, Leeds playing in good spirit. The introduction of redtape and box ticking will only serve to drive away those who set the foundations upon which this whole thing was built and the players who set it up, which frankly is tantamount to criminal. Fax lost at least 3 experienced players yesterday, not including myself and my bro who will not play again unless something is done, one of which was a founder member of our club and a very experienced player, myself and my brother are both very experienced players, Jakey being one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the comp and myself being player of the tourney at the Hull IMBRL 7's in 2005, you are losing the backbone of the whole game!

well said beax

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:49 am  

I feel, without wanting to be a bore, that we have had during my time losts of inexperienced players come thru, all who have enjoyed the experience. This includes several female players and young people. I myself play tag because tbph I am nearly 40 years old, have only partial use of my left shoulder due to a serious injury and am only 5'3" tall!! I just wanted to point that out as I am hardly looking for a physical freeforall am I!!

Ta Shaun, was just so frustrating to see what our great game has been reduced to at the moment, not without good intentions I am sure, but sense has to win thru.

[triran]

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:28 am  

Hello All We have had about 6 or 7 games played so far with some going well and some not going as well. Tom and I were looking for feedback for a training course and pack that we can give out that will help teams progress. Yesterday Halifax played Hull, a lot came out of that game and will be delivered. Points to note: Contact levels - its all about the avoiding of dangerous play and not penalising every form of contact. If a dangerous play happens this is up to the official to use common sense and speak to the teams. Contact will happen is unavoidable but as long as its not dangerous - play on! Diving for a try - as long as the player is not in tagable distance or again not causing a potential danger. Fending of the tags - we want to avoid the huge karate type chopping actions, a small tap away is usually deemed fine - again common sense of the official. These are small notes from yesterday but a course will be held soon. Regards Pete Chairman of the Scrum Down Under Tag Merit League www.tagmeritleague.co.uk

Hello All We have had about 6 or 7 games played so far with some going well and some not going as well. Tom and I were looking for feedback for a training course and pack that we can give out that will help teams progress. Yesterday Halifax played Hull, a lot came out of that game and will be delivered. Points to note: Contact levels - its all about the avoiding of dangerous play and not penalising every form of contact. If a dangerous play happens this is up to the official to use common sense and speak to the teams. Contact will happen is unavoidable but as long as its not dangerous - play on! Diving for a try - as long as the player is not in tagable distance or again not causing a potential danger. Fending of the tags - we want to avoid the huge karate type chopping actions, a small tap away is usually deemed fine - again common sense of the official. These are small notes from yesterday but a course will be held soon. Regards Pete Chairman of the Scrum Down Under Tag Merit League www.tagmeritleague.co.uk

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:33 pm  

Can i just add we want every team to play in the league i feel we can do this with a minor tweak to the rules however we will wait and see what the RFL say as they have promised alot and as yet have not delivered. Any Complaints send to me in my in box and i will take everyone to Tom and go through it. You have 2 weeks in which to get the e-mails to me chris@matrixsolutions.karoo.co.uk Please feel free to write anything you want down i will reply to everyone of you so you know i have got it.

Can i just add we want every team to play in the league i feel we can do this with a minor tweak to the rules however we will wait and see what the RFL say as they have promised alot and as yet have not delivered. Any Complaints send to me in my in box and i will take everyone to Tom and go through it. You have 2 weeks in which to get the e-mails to me chris@matrixsolutions.karoo.co.uk Please feel free to write anything you want down i will reply to everyone of you so you know i have got it.