Just look at where a players hands are pointing when the ball is released, if they're in a forward movement then it's easy to spot the forward pass.

Hmm so you listen to everything said by the touch judges through the communication kits?

Nope, but why do forward passes seem to be let go frequently and potential offsides and feet in touch always go upstairs?

The simple answer to avoid the requirement for complex motion analysis instruments is to rule that the ball should be caught behind the point of release. That way you don't need to work out the physics of the forces involved, you just have to note:
a) where it was released
b) where it was caught
That way, if Billy Whizz lets a pass go at 90 mph it's HIS responsibility to make sure that the ball is not only propelled backwards, but actually goes backwards relative to the point of release.

The basics of this game are simple - no need to faff around with them.

(It won't make any difference to Brent Webbs passing though - I think he's got some physical disability that prevents him passing backwards. He only gets away with it so much 'cos he plays for Leeds)

Forward passes aren't always the touch judges calls but yeah some are missed.

Feet in touch are referred to the VR for clarification by the touch judge who makes the spot. If the technology is present, why not use it? James Child made a few good in touch calls today at the DW; I imagine most would have been referred to the video ref if one was present just to be sure.

Woo, what a great innovation for Rugby League that would be - effectively banning passing on the run.

You're wacko man.

MjM didn't mis-understand your post, so no need to re state your intention.
MjM is correct in that applying your interpretation would effectively ban players passing on the run.

God help us, are you John Senior in disguise? It won't be much of a spectator sport if you put your rule in place. Do you realise how far backwards a player running full pelt would have to pass the ball to make it go backwards relative to the point on the ground from which it was passed?!

You may be needing rlthisrl.

Although we are, of course, unable to link directly to popular video sharing websites, in the interests of research I have treated myself to the pleasure of reviewing footage of my heroes, the Leeds team of the 1990s, being torn a new ****hole by Martin Offiah in the Premiership semi of 1992.

Can we apply the 'wakeyrule rule' retrospectively? If so, more than half of Offiah's ten tries against the retreating, panic-stricken Leeds defence would be chalked off. I demand this game is nulled and voided!

We know. Everyone has a right to their opinion. Even really stupid people.

Time to let the VR rule on forward passes. Some may still get missed, the odd one may still get called forward when it's not, but more decisions will be right than are wrong and it might put a stop to this ridiculous advantage that particularly wingers are getting in the game these days - at least in TV games.

I wonder what the "these days" thing is all about though? Flat attacking lines for sure mean that a whole host of passes are much more marginal in the modern game (just look at footage of the 1985 cup final to see how deep teams used to stand).

The current 10 metre pitch markings though must surely be a factor also in simply highlighting passes which travel forward relative to the ground, creating the erroneous impression of them being a "forward pass".