Freeball
Freeball is a new sport created by Barret Wilson of the United Kingdom in 2018. The game is related to rugby league and union but without line-outs, scrums, rucks, mauls or play-the-balls. No kicking of the ball. Only one method of scoring (getting the ball over the score line) the ball is released on tackle completion. Next attacker passes dead ball into play. Six tackles then a handover of the ball. Ten players with up to ten substitutes. No goal-posts needed. No technology, refs decision final. 80 minutes play, if scores are even then next score wins. As near to non-stop action as possible.
Freeball. Copyright Barret Wilson 2018
Principles
- The game is designed for simplicity, with a minimum need for equipment or ground facilities.
- No goalposts are needed.
- Score lines, dead ball lines and sidelines define the size of the pitch.
- There only needs to be a halfway line which is used for starting the match and for restarts after a score.
- A score is called a goal and is the only method of scoring. This is by penetrating the goal line with or without touching the ball down.
- The ball is a standard size oval.
- There is no need for technology as the decisions of the referee and his assistants are final without the need for any discussion.
- The action is as near as possible to continuous from start to finish with a 15 minute halftime break.
- The game will finish after 80 minutes unless the scores are level after which the next score wins the match.
- There is no kicking of the ball at any time.
- The prevailing need is for continuous play as much as possible.
- Any injuries are dealt with by removing the player from the pitch on a stretcher to a suitable place for treatment. The play is removed by ten metres from the area that the injured player is awaiting treatment in. Injuries are dealt with as quickly as possible.
- Each side will consist of 10 players and 10 substitutes.
- Up to 10 substitutes can be used at any time.
- All players must have a post freeball employment involvement.
Rules
- The ball is always passed into play to start and restart the game.
- Each team will have 6 tackles with which to score a goal. If no score is made after 6 tackles then the ball is handed over to the other side.
- Tackling is limited to 2 tacklers one of whom must tackle from the waist downwards with the upper tackle area being limited to shoulder height.
- Tacklers are not allowed to clamp the ball. No contact will be made to the head of the attacker.
- The referee will order a player from the pitch if he considers their action to be reckless and dangerous. The player will be sidelined for 10 minutes. Two sideline periods in a match by one player will disqualify that player for the rest of the match.
- A tackle is completed when the attacker hits the ground, or the ref shouts held. At this point the ball is dead and must be placed on the ground.
- The nearest attacker must then pick up the ball and pass it into play without moving from the spot and the ball is then live.
- A tackle is incomplete if, in the ref's opinion the attacker has broken free, at which point he will shout 'play on'.
- Defenders will retire 2 metres from the line through the ball which is the offside line.
- If the ball is dropped forward and picked up cleanly by the defending side, then the ref will wave and shout 'play on'. Otherwise, it is passed into play by the defending side.
- If the ball is dropped backwards the ref will shout 'back, play on'.
- If a player goes over the sideline, where the ball is then dead, they must return to the point at which they exited the pitch and pass the ball into play.
- An attacking player cannot offload the ball in the tackle once contact has been made.
- Any action which the referee or his assistants deem to be reckless or unfair will incur a 10 metre loss of ground.
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Related Pages
- See other New Sports
- Complete list of unusual sports
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