Elbow foul rule

[Rick Pinkney]

After last years Worlds I was pretty disgusted with the elbow fouls that were called. For years I felt that the answer was changes to the pads. However this "simple" change is proving far more difficult than anticipated. All I wanted was to allow elbow "bumps". Changing the rule to allow this seemed problematic as I'm afraid of 1 referee letting 1 thing go and another calling it. It all had to do with fairness, if no one can lift their elbows then no problem. Problem - too many matches ending with fouls. Solution, I don't know if this is or not but am willing to give it a try.

Change the elbow foul rule to allow "bumps" in the neutral position only. So if your elbow lifts a BIT no call. However if you're in the winning or losing position then the elbow foul is called.

Your thoughts???

[John Milne]

Progressive

I like it

[dsteff]

As a recipient of many an elbow foul at the go , I am in favor to allow elbow bumps .

[Jay Riehle]

Sounds like an awesome idea Rick.

[Andrew Grant]

People generally lift their elbow to gain an unfair advantage. It is easily avoidable and should not be tolerated.

However, a referee should never stop an exciting match. Running fouls is the solution.

A puller should never be permitted to stop a match by fouling on purpose, that is lame.


One more thing to add:

I've been watching a lot of slow motion, multi-angle footage over the last year. There are surprisingly a whole lot of elbow fouls that don't ever get called. A few pullers in particular seem to get away with huge elbow fouls off the go on a routine basis. They happen so fast that no one seems to notice, until you slow it down and take a good look. To enforce the rules consistently, the down ref should eventually be replaced with electronic sensors.

[Rick Pinkney]

At the Worlds they are trying to get rid of the downside ref.

[Windover]

Definitely something to try for sure. It dont work, change back. Maybe a trial period with consensus? Why the neutral only Rick? Just curious. Maybe a little more explanation. Great work by the way!!!!!

[dankadlec]

I personally think running fouls is the way to go. I like ricks idea of the bump, but I would like to see the rules eliminate ones ability to gain a restart of a match from an elbow foul. I've been a victim of it, and also have seen many potential good matches get ruined by it. Just my two cents.

[Jeff Miller]

^^^ makes sense, yeah granting yourself a restart by intentional elbow fouling is lame. However with running fouls, what's to stop you from fouling like crazy to pin your opponent to get a restart? That would be equally crappy.

(Edit - Refs Letting the Following Go:)
Fouls off the edges of the pad - complete bull$hit.
Fouls to save yourself - bull$hit.
Flagrant fouls to gain position - bull$hit.
Minimal little hops to move over a sticky pad - OK
Continuous hopping - bull$hit.

[Jay Riehle]

Spot on Mr. Miller!!!!! 100% agree with that statement.