Grappling in the Box - suggestions please

[Chessie dave]

Can any rules change to end this tedious repeated activity. It’s hard to know which side is doing the offending so is there a rule change that might work?

Eg No player puts a hand on an opponent in the 6 yard box at a corner or free kick? Hands to side or be hind back in 6 yard box.

Penalty if a defender touches an opponent. Free kick if attacker does. What about refs assistant moves close to monitor the penalty box rather than worry re offside- there was a competition where they had extra officials to monitor penalty area. Not sure where or why it didn’t continue.

Anyway, glad we’re got a penalty yesterday, but would prefer for it to be stamped out!

 

[CrookesBlade]

Difficult to see a solution via a rule change, more a case of more VAR or more officials

It would help though to give no warning, first foul seen given. There would be a glut of penalties initially but it’s the only way they will learn.

The balance is usually in the favour of the defending team, refs 9 times out of 10 give the free kick regardless of who istigates the pushing/pulling as it’s the path of least resistance.

 

[Shakin Stevens is my Dad]

Set pieces are starting to feel more like wrestling than football. The real issue isn’t just the contact, it’s the inconsistency. Everyone can see the holding and shirt pulling, but only some of it gets punished, which leaves no clear line for players or fans.

One argument is that nothing needs changing rule wise, just stricter and more consistent enforcement. If referees keep giving penalties for obvious fouls, players will adapt quickly. The downside is that, in the short term, it could mean a spike in penalties.

There are other ideas too. Greater use of VAR hasn’t fully solved it, even in competitions like the UEFA Europa League. A more radical option could be borrowing from Rugby union, where repeated or cynical fouling leads to a 10-minute sin bin. That would give referees a middle ground between a warning and a penalty, and might quickly stamp out the worst of the grappling.

Ultimately, it probably comes down to consistency. Either clamp down properly on what’s already a foul, or accept the physicality as part of the game. Right now, it sits awkwardly in between, which is what causes the frustration.

 

[Blademan89]

Can any rules change to end this tedious repeated activity. It’s hard to know which side is doing the offending so is there a rule change that might work?

Eg No player puts a hand on an opponent in the 6 yard box at a corner or free kick? Hands to side or be hind back in 6 yard box.

Penalty if a defender touches an opponent. Free kick if attacker does. What about refs assistant moves close to monitor the penalty box rather than worry re offside- there was a competition where they had extra officials to monitor penalty area. Not sure where or why it didn’t continue.

Anyway, glad we’re got a penalty yesterday, but would prefer for it to be stamped out!

Its absolutely fine to have hands on whislt defending, being touch tight etc, no issues with that and little nudge with ya arse or arm to put someone off (no full push) and having a little bit if the shirt (its all the dark arts) if you cna get away with it.

What shouldn't happen is having both arms wrapped around someone or pulling them to floor.... obviously hand full of someone short your no where near as they got the run on you. If its blatant and the ref cna see it should be a pen or freekick.

Nothing else needs to be discussed about it i dont think, its how the games always been and should be, try to gain the edge if you get caught you get punished, it just seems that referees allow more blatant and obvious stuff go such as mentioned two arms around or full on shirts half way up someone's chest.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

My suggestion would probably have most games finishing as five a sides or worse

 

[Brian Deane]

Anyone else disappointed that it's not in the Pig n truffle section.
Ffs what a let down

 

[10p]

A simple rule. If you put your arms round an opponent it’s a yellow. Do it and second time and you’re stupid, and you’re off.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Refs are scared to do anything about it, it’s ridiculous.

The other thing would be the blocking of a centre forward at kick off when they run to chase the ball down.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Being grappled in the box?

View attachment 1000069402.webp

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Is it just me who doesn't mind corners becoming relevant? Beforehand they were absolutely useless.

 

[raul]

Velcro shirts coated in superglue.

Any shirt pulling is immediately evident and proof of the offence is stuck to the culprit.

Anything else need solving?

 

[SB_90]

being touch tight is fine. as then defenders were defending & marking. attacking players werent being impeded to try to score. nowaday there not marking at corners there taking the player hostage

but stuff like this needs stamping out & only is to give penalties for it

 

[KMC-1889]

Contact with a player with any part of the arm below the elbow = yellow.

Fine with jockeying and using your shoulder to muscle players out of the way but you shouldn’t be able to grab and hold players.

 

[LBA_Blade]

The main problem about consistency for referees and this is from experience at a county level not at pro level, is trying to identify who you give the offence against. When the ball is played there are usually over 12 players in the penalty area from both sides depending on the corner routine. If you look at a lot of the players yes they might be having their shirt pulled but they also have a handful of the opponents shirt too. The assistant needs to be in a position to be able to judge offsides mainly because if the ball is headed clear from the corner and is played back in by the attacking side there is an offside to judge.

The problem is working out who started it and do you give it to the first one even though they might have a hand on the opponents shirt or the one you see as the biggest infringement. You could have a Law in place to limit the number of players allowed in the penalty area. Or if it becomes too much of a problem to referee, corners could be scrapped for a throw in at the corner flag or the ball can’t be played directly into penalty area from a corner. There was a discussion about making headers against the Laws, if that comes in place there is likely to be less jockeying for position knowing it will come to feet. Currently the only option open to the referee is communication and giving what you see.

 

[SwissBlade]

I absolutely hate this about the game right now. If there are clear fouls when the game is in play then the officials need to take proper action. This whole nonsense of stopping play before the kick is taken, then the ref waving his finger at players has to stop. Just let them crack on, then give the free kick or pen.

 

[SuperSonicBlade89]

How about getting rid of refs altogether? Sort of half joking.

Watched a great game yesterday lunch time with no ref. Players tended not act as aggressive in the box at corners knowing that a penalty wasn't going to happen unless it was a clear cut foul that stopped the game completely, dead ball, players stop etc.

What football need is less authority refereeing, not more. All it needs is an Arbiter or an Umpire of some sort.

 

[metalblade]

Rest assured in their next game Hull city defenders will think twice before putting some attacker in a bear hug at a set piece. If a few more ref's dished out penalties to offenders the practice would stop within a few weeks. It is that simple.

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

Player should wear clothes with velcro fastenings to hold them together, any pulling or tugging would be immediately noticed as players would have no shirt arms or shorts left on.

Added side benefit mean that for an Errea kit, it would be a significant step up in quality!

 

[jt64]

Can any rules change to end this tedious repeated activity. It’s hard to know which side is doing the offending so is there a rule change that might work?

See who instigates it, give a free kick or penalty as appropriate. Like this whole keepers can now hold the ball for eight seconds as opposed to six previously (to speed the game up, hilariously), it is a problem that already has a solution which just needs to be enforced

 

[jt64]

Player should wear clothes with velcro fastenings to hold them together, any pulling or tugging would be immediately noticed as players would have no shirt arms or shorts left on.

Cameroon once planned to go with a sleeveless shirt for one World Cup for this exact reason. FIFA said not allowed

 

[KeyffSmyff]

Use the hockey rule. Defenders behind the goal line until the corner is taken, attackers out side the 18 yard box.
Sinbins are a good idea. But refs rules only the 2 Var challenges per half. Speaking to the ref counts as a challenge. Solves 2 problems in 1 go. Yellow for asking the ref when challenges happen after the 2 have been used up with a free kick 10m closer to the goal for the opposition.

 

[Blade56]

I have to grapple in the box, I find a quick rub of hydrocortisone cream under me nut sack helps

 

[Rochdaleblade]

All outfield players must wear boxing gloves. Throw ins handled by these guys.

 

[LBA_Blade]

I absolutely hate this about the game right now. If there are clear fouls when the game is in play then the officials need to take proper action. This whole nonsense of stopping play before the kick is taken, then the ref waving his finger at players has to stop. Just let them crack on, then give the free kick or pen.

To be honest it is good communication and game management to remind players what you are looking out for. Where it falls flat is when the referee doesn’t follow through with an action e.g. free kick or penalty.

 

[jt64]

To be honest it is good communication and game management to remind players what you are looking out for. Where it falls flat is when the referee doesn’t follow through with an action e.g. free kick or penalty.

As a player I would kind of assume that the referee would be looking out for infringements of the laws of the game anyway...

 

[The Fox]

Players should wear lycra skin tight shirts and smother themselves in goose fat prior to a corner .

 

[LBA_Blade]

As a player I would kind of assume that the referee would be looking out for infringements of the laws of the game anyway...

Exactly and that’s why by delaying the corner you are setting out what you are seeing. As players they should be street wise to the Laws of the game, if you have been reminded and then carry on it’s not anyone else’s fault but your own

 

[SwissBlade]

To be honest it is good communication and game management to remind players what you are looking out for. Where it falls flat is when the referee doesn’t follow through with an action e.g. free kick or penalty.

He can tell them before the game. He doesn’t have to waste time further by stopping the game to wag his finger

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

Simple really, apply the laws of the game. Blow for a foul everytime it happens and either give a free kick to the defending team or a penalty.

 

[Varkanoid]

Player should wear clothes with velcro fastenings to hold them together, any pulling or tugging would be immediately noticed as players would have no shirt arms or shorts left on.

Added side benefit mean that for an Errea kit, it would be a significant step up in quality!

Or cover the shirts in grease.