Hand-held flag
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A hand-held flag is a piece of equipment used by some match officials to signal during play. Currently, each touch judge is required to carry an approved flag.[1]
[edit] History
The first RFU-sanctioned match in which flags were used was a North versus South game at Bradford in 1885.[2] The match was also notable for being the first one in which the use of a whistle was officially permitted.[2]
[edit] Current use
The two touch judges each carry a flag to signal to the referee and players:[1]
- If the ball or player in possession of the ball is in touch, the flag is "raised about the head at the point of entry into touch"[3]
- To signal ball back, the flag is "waved above head accentuating backward movement"[3]
- If the ball or the player in possession of the ball is in touch in-goal, the flag is "waved across the body, below the waist" while the touch judge's other hand points "to either the goal line or 20 metre line depending on where play should be restarted"[3]
- After judging that a kick at goal has been successful, the touch judge will raise the flag above their head[3]
- Following an unsuccessful kick at goal, the flag is waved "across and in front of the body below the waist". If the ball has gone over the dead ball line, the end of the flag stick is tapped on the ground[3]
- If the ball or the player in possession of the ball goes out of play over the dead ball line, the flag is waved "up and down between [the touch judge's] shoulder and knee" and then pointed towards the appropriate restart position[3]
[edit] References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 RLIF (2004). "The International Laws of the Game and Notes on the Laws". Rugby League International Federation. p. 44. Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. http://www.webcitation.org/5mYyri5Wv. Retrieved 2008-07-30. "Each Touch Judge must carry an approved flag."
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cail, William (1892). "XXI. County Football: Recollections of Northumberland football". In Francis Marshall. Football: The Rugby Union Game. Cassell & Company. p. 455. ISBN 978-1143915598. Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. http://www.webcitation.org/659tawkEU.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 RLIF (2004). "The International Laws of the Game and Notes on the Laws". Rugby League International Federation. p. 49. Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. http://www.webcitation.org/5mYyri5Wv. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
