Interestingly enough, the pull rule has provoked more discussion than any
of the other things I said. I'm not sure what conclusions to draw from that...
So, I've had a few discussions off-list, and this is my current preference
for a new set of rules.
i) A dropped pull is not a turnover.
ii) A pull is only 'out' if it is more than 2 metres high when it leaves
the pitch. If it leaves the pitch lower than that, it should be played from
underneath where it went out.
iii) Only if a pull is 'out' by the above definition, the offence has the
option of a brick to halfway.
iv) A disc that lands in (genuinely in, not just <2m) will be played from
where it touches the ground, not where it rolls or slides to.
Notes:
i) If the pull is dropped, it should be picked up and taken from where it
was dropped, i.e. not where it lands or rolls to. Also, you've got to TRY
and catch it - deliberately macking it down would be a turnover.
ii) Underneath where it went out includes playing it from the very back of
the endzone. If it's less than 2m high, and there's no penalty for dropping
it, you should have caught it; so it's not unfair to start in a difficult
place.
iii) Most people have agreed that a brick to halfway is fair, but some
think it's harsh. With these rules, if you really can't get it under 2m
when it leaves the pitch, you're not trying, and you deserve a harsh penalty.
iv) This is partly because it's virtually impossible to stop a disc 'in' on
slippy indoor floors, and partly to outlaw the bounce-pull which could
otherwise circumvent the other rules.
Note also that there is no need for the disc to be flat and catchable,
since there's no penalty for dropping it. If the puller really wants to
throw a knife, then the offence will just get the disc quicker.
Advantages of these rules:
More definite than a wishy-washy flat-and-catchable rule.
No advantage to rollers or bounce-pulls.
Reward for good high floaty pulls.
No penalty for missing a small indoor pitch by only a yard or two.
If offence always tries to catch the pull, the game will be speeded up.
There'll be no walking to the disc when you're three points ahead (of which
I 'm as guilty as anyone, of course).
Disadvantages:
More complicated to explain than a wishy-washy flat-and-catchable rule. But
really, I think, it'd be simple enough in practice.
Different to outdoors, which may confuse beginners.
Opinions, please.
Benji
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