When Required. A player is to perform a Rollball under the following circumstances:
When a touch has been effected;
When possession changes due to the sixth touch;
When possession changes due to the ball going to ground;
When possession changes due to an infringement by an attacking player at a penalty or a tap;
When possession changes when the half is touched (or places the ball on or over the scoreline) whilst in possession of the ball;
When possession changes due to a player in possession of the ball running across the sideline, or
When so directed by the referee.
Method. The attacking player is to position on the mark, face the opponent's (defending) scoreline, stand parallel to the sidelines, and roll the ball backwards along the ground between the feet a distance of not more than one (1) metre. Once the ball is placed on the mark, the attacking player may step over the ball.
RULING - A change of possession at the mark.
Attacking Team. Any other player of the attacking team may receive the ball from the Rollball and thus become the half. The half may pass or run with the ball. However, if touched, loses possession.
RULING - A change of possession.
The half is not to delay picking up or gathering the ball. The player who performs the Rollball is not permitted to obstruct or otherwise prevent the defending team from gaining possession or effecting a touch on the half.
RULING - A penalty awarded to the non-offending team at the mark where the infringement occurred.
Defending Team. All Players of the defending team are to retire a distance of not less than five (5) metres from the mark for a Rollball. Players of the defending team are not permitted to move forward of the five (5) metre position until the half has made contact with the ball.
RULING - A penalty awarded to the attacking team along a line five (5) metres forward of the mark for the Rollball and nearest the infringement.
Actions Without Half in Position. When the player in possession is required to Rollball without a half in position, players of the defending team may move forward of the five (5) metre positions as soon as the ball leaves the hand/s of the player in possession. Should a defending player gain possession, the match is recommenced with a Rollball at the same mark.
Voluntary Rollball. A player in possession is not to perform a Rollball unless a touch has been effected.
RULING - A penalty awarded to the non-offending team at the mark where the Rollball occurred.
The ball must touch the ground in a Rollball but does not necessarily have to be rolled. The foot may be used to control the ball.
The player performing the Rollball must be stationary and will not be penalised if the Rollball is performed while balancing on one foot providing the ball passes on the inside of the supporting foot.
Defending players who are offside at the Rollball are liable to penalty and should remain out of play until a touch has been effected or until they have assumed an onside position.
The player performing the Rollball cannot retrieve the ball.
Any defending player involved in a touch must immediately retire to a position along a line five (5) metres forward of the touch or to their own defending scoreline.
The mark for a tap from a penalty is awarded under Rule 9.4 is along a line five (5) metres forward of the mark for the Rollball and nearest the infringement.
The half is permitted to use the foot to control the ball. However, play must not be delayed. Defending players may move forward as soon as the half has made contact with the ball.
A player in possession may run or stand with the ball extended towards the ground without penalty. However, Rule 9.6 (Voluntary Rollball) applies as soon as the ball is rolled.
In an attempt to encourage a free-flowing match, referees should warn offside players (or teams) and use the advantage rule as applicable (e.g. If a warned offside player moves to make a touch, the referee may call "play on" rather than stop play and penalise the offender). However, if the referee hasn't warned the player (or team) he cannot call "play on" and must allow the touch or penalise the offending player.
Players who delay the Rollball are to be penalised.
Should the half or other attacking players effect a touch on an offside defender following a quick Rollball, the touch will count (and the half would lose possession).
The half is not permitted to score touchdowns. They are unrestricted as to where they can run and may cross the scoreline to link up with support players.
Should the half be touched or place the ball on the ground within the boundaries of the Touchdown Zone, whether the ball is released or not, a change of possession will occur five (5) metres from the scoreline (and no closer than five (5) metres from the sideline)opposite where the half was touched or where the ball touched the ground.
There is no requirement for the ball to be picked up to commence the Rollball, but the referee should ensure the Rollball takes place at the mark.
A player in possession runs up to effect a touch on a defender (or alternatively expects to be touched by a defender) and at the moment of the expected touch the defender backs away causing the player in possession to voluntary Rollball.
Penalty awarded to the defending team. Rule 9.6.
At a change of possession, the attacking player places the ball on the ground and walks over it.
Play on. The attacking player has brought the ball into play. The same would apply if a defending player placed the ball on the mark.
A defending player trying to retire has an attacking player running at him. The defender effects a touch not knowing if he/she has retired the required distance.
The touch counts if the defender has retired the correct distance.
A penalty is awarded if the defender failed to retire the correct distance.
NOTE: The referee WOULD NOT call "Play on" as he failed to WARN the defender they were still offside. If warned, the referee may call "Play on".
An attacking player performs a Rollball. The half traps the ball with his foot BUT another onside attacking player picks the ball up. When can the defence move forward and what happens if a player other than the half picks up the ball?
As soon as the half touches the ball the defence can move forward.
The half once having touched the ball must pick it up immediately otherwise a penalty will be awarded against them (Rule 9.3).
Once the half has touched the ball, no other player can pick it up from the Rollball.
The ball hits the foot of the half before it is picked up. When can the defence move forward?
Defence can move forward as soon as the ball touches the foot of the half. Rule 9.4 and Referee Note B.
The half deliberately uses a foot to trap the ball prior to picking it up.
Play on, defence can move forward. - Rule 9.4 and Referee Note B.
Half in attempting to trap the ball causes it to go more than one (1) metre.
Change of possession at the mark. - Rule 9.2.
After a touch, the player in possession places the ball on the ground and uses his foot to Rollball. There is no half in position. When can the defence move forward?
As soon as the ball has left the hands of the "touched" attacking player. - Rule 9.5.
The half in attempting to gather the ball rolls it towards himself along the ground.
Play on. - Rule 7; Referee Note B.
The ball is placed on the mark at a change of possession. An attacking player takes up a position in front of the ball and steps over it backwards so as to be quickly in position to support the half.
Such actions would constitute a Rollball in a forward direction and would result in a change of possession. Rule 9.2; Rule 9; Player Note D and Referee Note G. Refer also Situation 9:14
At a change of possession, the team losing possession places the ball on the mark. An attacking player steps over the ball and there is no half in position. When can the defence move forward?
When the attacking player's foot or body passes over the ball.
At a change of possession, the team losing possession places the ball on the mark. An attacking player uses his foot to bring the ball into play. There is no half in position. When can the defence move forward?
When the attacking player places a foot on the ball. - Rule 9; Player Note A and Referee Note G.
Player in possession deliberately touches the ground with the ball, does not release it and does not get touched, he then proceeds to play on hoping his ploy will confuse the opposition.
Play on. - Rule 7; Referee Note B.
A penalty is awarded and offending team places the ball on the mark. Attacking player chooses to bring the ball into play by using the Rollball method. The attacking player however steps backwards over the ball to bring it into play.
Change of possession at the mark. Stepping backwards over the ball constitutes a Rollball in a forward direction. Rule 9.2; Rule 9 - Player Notes D and G. [DD: There is no Player Note G; Player Note D does not seem relevant; Referee Notes D and G do not seem relevant either.] - Refer also to Situation 9:10
The half who is over the scoreline passes to a team mate. The ball is deflected by the defender, (either by an unintentional attempt to prevent the pass, or a deliberate attempt to intercept the pass), back to the hands of the half who places in on the ground and claims a touchdown.
A touchdown would be awarded as the action of releasing the ball no longer designates the player as the half.
The half who is over the scoreline releases the ball either in an attempt to throw a pass or otherwise, but before the ball comes into contact with another player or the ground, he re-gathers it and places it on the ground claiming a touchdown.
The fact that the player has released the ball does not automatically mean he is no longer the half. Because the ball did not come in contact with another player the pass (in effect to himself), does not relinquish his role as the half and the touchdown would be disallowed.
An attacking player drops the ball from waist height and traps it with his foot for a Rollball. Is such action allowable?
Yes! 'Dunking' is allowed therefore using the foot to 'dunk' the ball is also allowed (provided all other Rule re Rollball are adhered to). No Rule says the ball has to be placed on the ground (mark) with the hand. See PN A and PN B.
An attacking player drops the ball from say upper thigh height to Rollball without using the foot. Is such action allowable?
No! Such action would constitute an incorrect Rollball. Rule 9.2
An attacking player in an attempt to execute a quick "dump" deflects the ball off the ground the knee or leg (or any other part of his body) thus causing the ball to project either sideways or forward without control. Should the player be asked to collect the ball and Rollball correctly?
No! It was the attacking players decision to effect a quick Rollball and if they have "mucked" it up, they loose possession. Hand over to opponents.
Note here, that if the ball is dislodged by a defender or dropped accidentally then the ball is regarded as dead and the attacking player retains possession, unless it is the sixth touch.
A player who has been awarded a change of possession incorrectly taps the ball assuming that a penalty was awarded. Is this a penalty or change of possession to the non offending team?
The referee would award a change of possession.
A player in possession attempts to make a touch and places the ball on the ground in anticipation of the touch (the ball is not released). However contact is not made with the original defender so the player reaches to touch another defender. Is such action allowed?
Yes. The placing of the ball on the ground, whilst attempting to effect a Rollball, (provided the ball is not released), does not constitute a Rollball. The fact a touch has not been effected is irrelevant as the ball must leave the hands of the attacking player for the action to constitute a Rollball. The attacking player would not be penalised for a voluntary Rollball.
The ball is rolled and there a half is in position. When can the defence move forward?
Provided they were onside at the Rollball the defending players can move forward as soon as the ball has made contact with the half. - Rule 9.4
The ball is rolled and there is no half in position. When can the defence move forward?
Provided they were onside at the Rollball the defending players can move forward as soon as the ball has left the hands of the player effecting the Rollball. - Rule 9.5
The ball is rolled and there is no half in position. A defending player moves to the ball and walks over it claiming he has taken possession and bought the ball into play. Is such action legal?
Provided the player was onside at the Rollball, possession must be claimed by the defending player. Merely walking over the ball is not deemed to be sufficient. The ball must be claimed (that is touched) by the defender either with the hand or foot. The referee would instruct the player to touch the ball and that once they touch the ball they must perform a Rollball to bring it into play .See Rule 9.5
The half crosses the scoreline untouched and runs around trying to link up with a team mate. Before the ball can be passed the half is touched. Where is the mark for the subsequent Rollball?
Change of possession and Rollball to the defending team is five metres from the scoreline opposite where the touch was effected:- See Rule 9.3
A player performs a Rollball and notices there is no half in position so they turn around and pick up the ball. What action can the Referee take? Would the action be different if the player after picking the ball up passed it to a team mate?
According to Rule 9 Player note D. The player performing the Rollball cannot retrieve the ball. Should this happen the Referee would order a change of possession. If however the player passes the ball, the referee would penalise the player in accordance with an incorrect changeover procedures, that is, a penalty ten metres forward of the mark for the changeover. - Rule 7.2