"It's probably more difficult than ever to come down clean with the ball with this new law, said Steward, confirming he would be a big advocate of a tweak to the existing regulation. A law change where they have to make a genuine attempt to catch the ball would be really positive. It's too easy for wingers just to be a nuisance. It probably lacks a bit of skill just being able to throw your body in and flail an arm."
"Now you have to be at max speed and max height and get your knee in the right position if you want to come down with the ball. It's so much more physical in the air now. It used to be quite a safe space. Now you have to be braver and almost expect a collision every time you go up."
Current contestable-kick situations allow chasing players to use one-handed spoiling, making reliable high-ball collection more difficult. The crackdown on defensive escort runners has encouraged onrushing opponents to interfere with jumpers. Requiring all jumpers to make a two-handed, genuine attempt to catch the ball would limit nuisance flapping and restore technical skill to aerial contests. Players now jump at maximum speed and height and alter body position to secure catches, increasing the risk of collisions and injury. A law tweak aims to reduce danger and improve fairness in aerial play.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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