is there merit in discussing changing the ball slightly?

[RugbyFuture]

I was just thinking about all the complaints about excess kicking etc ( and yes i know some of you like it how it is, however im a progressive heathen) and i seem to remember some sort of controversy over soccer balls for a world cup at some point, and considering balls are all synthetic now etc compared to older leather balls, they would probably have a better kicking performance, so would it be right to think that perhaps someone (gilbert and the IRB) could design a ball which is more highly optimised for the running game and limiting some of the kicking performance. especially when you consider the performances of modern kickers.

this could be changes in overall design, materials, weight, size, shape, air resistance etc.

the other codes have adapted their balls in such conditions, so (even with the history that rugby is joined at the hip to, and the conservative nature of administrators and enthusiasts) why cant rugby?

 

[PaarlBok]

cause rugby is a unique sport and they should stop changing it because for the sake of changing.

 

[Moses]

Wasn't their talk of putting a GPS in the ball at one point, or was that soccer?

 

[RugbyFuture]

i think that was soccer and mungoball more recently

 

[Godfrey]

The biggest influence on the amount of kicking in a game, in my opinion, is the attitude of the team kicking the ball.

 

[RugbyFuture]

and you can adjust that attitude through either the laws or the operational ability allowed

 

[Godfrey]

Nah. I'm pretty sure a lot of teams will still just kick it.

 

[Reddy!]

Just make the ball weigh 20kg, and then it would never make it out to the backs.

 

[Moses]

Just make the ball weigh 20kg, and then it would never make it out to the backs.

I'd pay good money to watch Francois Steyn try and dropkick a 20kg ball from 60 metres

 

[feed_me]

While changes to the ball that make kicking a less attractive option, and pens more difficult, could encourage running rugby, the problem i see is that changes to the ball will also have an effect on passing, so overall it might have a negative effect. Possibly worth trialling though.

 

[saulih]

Far easier to create more incentive for try scoring by raising their point value over penalty kicking ie tries worth 6 points. Now, if you intend to lessen the number of kicks in general play (which I wouldn't really be onside with) that is a different story.

Just my 2 cents worth

 

[liquor box]

a really light ball wont go far, I had a ball once that was extremely light, the outer layer of fake leather peeled off and you could not kick it as far, but could still pass it just as good.

 

[PaarlBok]

Much easier and cheaper to make it flatter. A flat ball will make it easier to catch and pass and you can even hide it in your pants and use it as a ball box, so this will benefit running rugby.

 

[cyclopath]

Far easier to create more incentive for try scoring by raising their point value over penalty kicking ie tries worth 6 points. Now, if you intend to lessen the number of kicks in general play (which I wouldn't really be onside with) that is a different story.

Just my 2 cents worth

It's a nice idea, but if you change one variable in a system, which this indeed would be, the whole system may change, and not necessarily for the better. The "obvious" outcome of increased points / try would seem to be more attacking play for potentially greater reward.
From the defending team's point of view, it might mean a greater incentive to commit a penalty offence to prevent tries being scored. This would be fine if we could rely on some uniformity in the way these offences were refereed - cards etc. This uniformity has not been the case. And so, it might be counter-productive.

 

[Pfitzy]

It's a nice idea, but if you change one variable in a system, which this indeed would be, the whole system may change, and not necessarily for the better.

Like the ELVs only being half-arsedly* implemented



* patent pending. Hands off

 

[Jethro Tah]

Much easier and cheaper to make it flatter. A flat ball will make it easier to catch and pass and you can even hide it in your pants and use it as a ball box, so this will benefit running rugby.

Gold PB :lmao:

I can just picture Richie going in for the steal and getting a whole lot more than he bargained for.

 

[RugbyFuture]

i knew things would get this sort of response, but think about it, you most likely wouldnt have to change any rules, play would probably stay much the same other than kicking which couldnt be done as easily, therefore eveing out the risk of going at it with ball in hand to the relatively low risk kick and chase and kick again.

it would keep the game the same, just the way they play it different, keeping everyone (most) happy

 

[saulih]

a greater incentive to commit a penalty offence to prevent tries being scored.

Which is happening now. The attacking team faced with a decision whether to kick or run as a result of the penalty, would opt more often to run than kick, with a greater reward being offered.

IMO, the rules right now are just fine. I was simply offering an alternate to the "change the ball" option to solving a 'problem' as stated.

 

[PhucNgo]

Just make the ball weigh 20kg, and then it would never make it out to the backs.

It's called tunnelball and you're correct, the ball never gets to the backs. :