Bounce the Bounce

[dimelb]

The umpires have been trying to get rid of the bounce for some time for various reasons, including back troubles caused by repeated use of the bounce to restart games. They have been blocked repeatedly by conservatives among the management. I was particularly taken by this reference to Mike Fitzpatrick (and the Fat Controller):

The AFL Laws of the Game committee is believed to have long been sympathetic to the umpires' cause, but has had attempts to remove the bounce completely stymied by the intransigence of conservative elements of the game's executive.

The link: AFL umpires up the pressure to get rid of centre bounce

[Meg]

Thanks Don, that's a really interesting article. Ever since they introduced the throw-up around the ground I have wondered why they persisted with the centre bounce. Always seems unfair to me when the bounce skews badly to one side, out of reach for one of the ruckmen but just within the limits of the circle so it is not recalled. I have been thinking about it some more while watching the women's matches where the umps throw the ball up at the centre as well.

However I had never thought about the physical toll on the umpires' bodies nor the added difficulty for women umpires.

And yes, very interesting re the 'conservatives' who opposed attempts to remove the bounce altogether. So perhaps the group of people quietly cheering with the news of Fitzpatrick's resignation is even larger than we realised!

[CureTheSane]

Start of each quarter has to be a bounce.
after that I really don't care.

[Meg]

Bounce the Bounce

Further re the centre bounce, I have heard commentators for the women's matches put forward two (complementary) reasons why the umps are not using the centre bounce.

One was that the umpires for the AFLW matches are from the development level and bouncing the ball is a difficult skill which they haven't yet mastered. That is consistent with what is said in The Age article. I note also that there are a high number of female umpires in AFLW matches.

The second reason, which in a sense is a subset of the first, was that it was said it is more difficult to bounce the smaller ball being used in AFLW matches.

Does anyone have any experience with the different size balls to have an opinion about whether the smaller ball is more difficult to bounce? I notice the women players are having a lot of difficulty in bouncing the ball when they go for a run and have wondered if the smaller size ball is part of the reason. For some of the women who haven't previously played much Aussie Rules there is almost certainly a skill deficiency. But for the experienced players, whom I understand are accustomed to playing with the standard size ball, I wondered if the smaller ball may be a contributory factor.

NB: exception to my general statement re the women players - Kate McCarthy from the Brisbane Lions bounced the ball five times as she sprinted from the centre to kick the goal of the comp to date. Worth watching, below. Enough to make Lewis Jetta envious!

AFLW: Brisbane?s Kate McCarthy kicks five-bounce goal against Collingwood | Fox Sports

[Meg]

Start of each quarter has to be a bounce.

Because?

[CureTheSane]

Because tradition.

I'm happy to fly in the face of tradition, new and old.
New song? - yes please
New guernsey? - cool
Names on the backs of players? - why not?
Shorted season and longer finals - absolutely

But I so like the build up and the bounce at the start of the game.
And at the start of each quarter as well.
Don't think that's too much to ask, but I'm not gonna cry if it goes.
Evolution never suits everyone.

[Meg]

Fair enough. Personally I've always been sad they did away with the white lab coats and hats for the goal umpires. They were a distinguishing feature of Aussie Rules.

[Meg]

More on "bounce or not to bounce".

'UMPIRES coach Hayden Kennedy has called for the iconic centre bounce to be scrapped.'

There's really no benefit: Umpires coach in favour of scrapping bounce - AFL.com.au

[mcs]

Fair enough. Personally I've always been sad they did away with the white lab coats and hats for the goal umpires. They were a distinguishing feature of Aussie Rules.

I am a bit like you Meg, I enjoyed the distinguishing feature of the lab coats and hats for goal umpires, though very traditional.

I'm with CTS, a bounce at the start of each quarter and leave it at that.

[neilfws]

But I so like the build up and the bounce at the start of the game.

Me too. The opening bounce, especially first game of a new season, it's the theatre of football! Siren, cheer goes up, bounce, thrilling stuff.

But it sounds like the tide has turned against it, so I should prepare to move on.