Quote: PopTart "Why bother penalising someone for playing the ball. For me, just accept it was a tackle and move on.
In reality, it isn't really a knock on to put it on the floor and role it back with your foot. Can't see why he can't just play on. There is no advantage to the offending side.
It would take the doubt out of the play. If you don't think you ae tackled and run off, you can come back. If you do think you are tackled when you are not, why not let him give up a tackle and play on?'"
At first I agreed with you, but then I thought more on it, and now I don't.
If you think about it, if you allow players to play the ball before not properly tackled, it will turn into touch and pass as sides would do it deliberately. The wrestle in the tackle is what gives the defensive line time to get set. If the play the ball is early, they are not set and the likes of Roby would create havoc, making breaks through ragged lines or getting penalties for offside, all for not properly contesting the game. So the rule is just right and Phil Clarke is talking out of his hat.
