What constitutes a knock-on?

[Hairy Scot]

Was watching the ITM cup game between Northland and Taranaki when the following occurred:-

A Northland player attempted to pass the ball back to a team mate who was not expecting the pass. The ball struck his knee and went forward.
The ref blew for a knock-on.
I have also seen knock-on called when the ball has gone forward off a player's head.

My understanding was that the ball has to go forward of a hand or forearm to constitute a knock on.

Are refs changing this rule?

 

[dullonien]

Nope the rule is the same as it ever was.

A knock-on occurs after the ball is spilled or knocks into a players hand or arm and then proceeds to either touch the ground or touch another player. The ref can also deem whether a knock on has occurred if a player loses control of the ball but then kicks it before touching the ground.

It's important to also give the ref a little slack. They have to make these decisions without the help of slow motion replays. Often the hands aren't far away from the ball, and it may have appeared to the ref that the ball had come off a hand. Ref's might also air on the side of caution, and stop for a knock on in a tight call.

 

[BZHopenside]

What I've heard is that if the ball goes forward off of any body part above the knee, it's a knock on.

 

[Feicarsinn]

What constitutes a knock on? Well, technically moving the ball forward with your hands. Of course the real answer is that in the SH nothing constitutes a knock on. Nothing at all.

 

[TNT88]

A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goesforward, or when a player hits the ball forward with the hand or arm, or when the
ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward, and the ball touches the ground or
another player before the original player can catch it.

So whenever a player in possession drops the ball, and it goes towards the opposing team's dead ball line, a knock on has occurred. Just like a forward pass, you only look at what direction it comes off the player, rather than if it "moves" forward relative to the pitch.

If the player is not in possession, they can still knock on if it comes out of the hands or arms of a player.

So play on was probably the correct call, but the knock on laws don't seem very practical in some situations so you will see refs rule differently from time to time.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

What constitutes a knock on? Well, technically moving the ball forward with your hands. Of course the real answer is that in the SH nothing constitutes a knock on. Nothing at all.

:lol: