Ball-up
Encyclopedia
A ball-up in Australian rules football
describes a method of restarting play at a neutral contest after a stoppage within the field of play. It is not to be confused with a boundary throw-in which occurs in most cases when the ball is forced out of bounds. Ball-ups may be considered to be the equivalent of a jump ball
or faceoff
.
Ball-ups are performed by field umpires
and involve bouncing the ball firmly on the ground such that it moves directly upwards several metres after it bounces. Sometimes the ball may be thrown vertically upwards instead of bounced if conditions do not allow for the ball to be bounced effectively, if the umpire does not wish to take the extra couple of seconds to prepare for a bounce, or if modified rules dictate that the ball should be thrown rather than bounced. Additionally, if a bounced ball-up is poorly executed (skewing in such a way that only one of the competing ruckmen is able to contest the ball), the umpire can recall the ball-up, and will throw the ball on the second attempt.
The ball-up executed in the centre circle at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal
is known specifically as the centre bounce. Centre bounces are contested by one nominated ruckman
from each team, who attempts to direct the ball to a teammate.
Ball-ups can also occur at other locations around the ground. Umpires often have to decide whether a player tackled while in possession of the ball had a prior opportunity to pass the ball before they were tackled; if so, they will pay a free kick for holding the ball
. If there was no such opportunity, then the umpire will call for a ball-up. At ball-ups which are not centre bounces, other players may help their ruckman in the contest by unexpectedly entering the contest and becoming the third man up.
A ball-up is also called for if a defensive player kicking in after a behind has been scored moves outside of the goal square before kicking the ball. In this case, the ball is bounced at the top of the goal square.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
describes a method of restarting play at a neutral contest after a stoppage within the field of play. It is not to be confused with a boundary throw-in which occurs in most cases when the ball is forced out of bounds. Ball-ups may be considered to be the equivalent of a jump ball
Jump ball
A jump ball is a method used to begin or resume play in basketball. It is similar to a face-off in ice hockey or ball-up in Australian rules football...
or faceoff
Faceoff
A face-off is the method used to begin play in ice hockey and some other sports. The two teams line up in opposition to each other, and the opposing centres attempt to gain control of the puck after it is dropped between their sticks by an official. One of the referees drops the puck at centre ice...
.
Ball-ups are performed by field umpires
Umpire (Australian rules football)
An umpire is an official in the sport of Australian rules football.-Origins:Unlike many other codes of football, where the official is called a referee, in Australian Football, the officials borrow their title from the game of cricket, which is played on the same types of fields and was an...
and involve bouncing the ball firmly on the ground such that it moves directly upwards several metres after it bounces. Sometimes the ball may be thrown vertically upwards instead of bounced if conditions do not allow for the ball to be bounced effectively, if the umpire does not wish to take the extra couple of seconds to prepare for a bounce, or if modified rules dictate that the ball should be thrown rather than bounced. Additionally, if a bounced ball-up is poorly executed (skewing in such a way that only one of the competing ruckmen is able to contest the ball), the umpire can recall the ball-up, and will throw the ball on the second attempt.
The ball-up executed in the centre circle at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal
Goal (sport)
Goal refers to a method of scoring in many sports. It can also refer to the physical structure or area of the playing surface where scoring occurs....
is known specifically as the centre bounce. Centre bounces are contested by one nominated ruckman
Ruckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
from each team, who attempts to direct the ball to a teammate.
Ball-ups can also occur at other locations around the ground. Umpires often have to decide whether a player tackled while in possession of the ball had a prior opportunity to pass the ball before they were tackled; if so, they will pay a free kick for holding the ball
Holding the ball
Holding the ball is a law in Australian Rules Football. It is necessary to prevent players from slowing down play. Instead of the umpire having to bounce the ball , it allows the defence a way to take possession directly from the attacking team.-Main Interpretation:The most basic description of...
. If there was no such opportunity, then the umpire will call for a ball-up. At ball-ups which are not centre bounces, other players may help their ruckman in the contest by unexpectedly entering the contest and becoming the third man up.
A ball-up is also called for if a defensive player kicking in after a behind has been scored moves outside of the goal square before kicking the ball. In this case, the ball is bounced at the top of the goal square.