While four of the rules will be trailed throughout the pre-season competition, one rule will only be trialed in round one of the NAB Cup. This rule is the team that last touched the ball before it goes out of bounds will be penalized.
This is sure to add to the excitement, and confusion, for supporters in round one. It will also test the umpires as the rule states a free kick will not be paid if the ball goes out of bounds from a spoil after a marking contest.
The other trail rules, being used throughout the pre-season competition, include the introduction of video replays for goal umpiring decisions with officials having the ability to call on the technology for difficult calls. This is the newest innovation among four rules the AFL will trial throughout the pre-season competition.
The new rules being trialed in the NAB Cup in 2011:
1. A player awarded a 50m penalty which takes them inside the 50m area can elect either to kick from outside the 50 for nine points, or kick from inside the 50 for six points. This gives the player the opportunity to decide whether kicks from outside 50m for nine points or inside 50m for six points.
2. Official scorer can assist with scoring decisions by reference to technology.
If a video replay is immediately available, the goal umpire can consult with the official scorer to determine the correct decision. There is no avenue for players to refer decisions.
3. Boundary umpires pay free kicks for holding and high contact at stoppages
As an extension to the 2010 NAB Cup trial, boundary umpires may pay free kicks for obvious holding or high contact infringements. They will not pay any other form of free kick.
4. Free kick against player who drags or holds ball under opponent. As an extension of the rule trialed in the 2010 NAB Cup, the umpire may pay a free kick against a player who drags the ball under his opponent, and may also pay a free kick against a players who holds a ball under his opponent, when he is trying to knock it out.
5. Last touch out of bounds - NAB Cup Round One only
A free kick will be paid against the last player to touch the ball before it went out of bounds. A free won’t be paid if the umpire is unable to determine who touched the ball last, if the ball goes out of bounds from a spoil after a marking contest or if the ball does out of bounds as a result of a defensive smother to a kick or a handball.
