Scoring – Rouge and Goal
Procedural Law(a) ROUGE
The ball is Rougeable if it goes behind, but not through the goal, and if:
it was last touched by a defender;
it was propelled by a defender onto an attacker and rebounded behind. However, the attacker must not actively attempt to propel the ball forward. N.B. A ball may still be deemed Rougeable when the ball is played into an attacker and when the attacker’s existing running stride makes contact with the ball and thereby imparts some forward momentum. This is not deemed to be “actively attempting to propel the ball forward”. In all cases of the ball’s re-bounding off an attacker, if the ball is to be deemed Rougeable, the action of the defender must be a necessary condition of the ball’s crossing the goal line. See K-8 for cases where the umpire(s) may be in doubt.
Figure 2 – Rouge: Rougeable ball scenarios
the ball is also Rougeable, if it goes behind when directly played out of a Tightly-Formed-Bully (it does not matter whether it had last been played by a defender or an attacker). This is a Contact-Rouge. N.B. The umpire(s) must be convinced that the full and correct process for initiating a Set-Piece-Bully (see F-6) has been observed for a Contact-Rouge to be awarded.
In 1, 2 and 3 above: a ROUGE is scored once the ball is/has been behind (see I-1) and is touched by the hand of an attacker whether the ball is on the ground or not.
If a defender is the first to touch the ball with a hand, the attackers may choose:
Free-kick or Set-Piece-Bully with Heads on the 3-yard-line
3 points; followed by a Goal-kick for the defenders.
In situations such as 5(a) and (b) above, if there is not time to re-start the game for the Free-Kick/Set-Piece-Bully on the 3-yard-line, the attackers are awarded 3 points.
If the ball goes behind when within a Tightly-Formed Bully (Set-Piece- or Bully-Rush), a Rouge is automatically scored (it does not have to be touched by an attacker’s hand). This is a Bully-Rouge.
If the umpire(s) is/are in any doubt whether the ball is Rougeable, a Set-Piece-Bully on the 3-yard-line with defenders’ Heads should be awarded.
If the umpire(s) is/are in any doubt about which side first touches a Rougeable ball, the attackers should be allowed the choice as in K-5 above.
If a Rougeable ball, or a ball that the umpire believes would have gone Rougeable, touches anything or anyone other than a player (such as a tree or a spectator), then the ball is DEAD and play must stop. The umpire(s) should:
award a Rouge if there is no doubt that the attacker would have touched the ball first.
If there is any doubt about who would have touched the ball first, then the attackers should be allowed to choose as in K-5 above.
If a ball becomes Rougeable and is not touched by either side, the umpire should immediately let the attackers choose as in K-5 above.
If there is an infringement by a defender while the ball is Rougeable and in the umpire’s opinion the infringement prevents a Rouge from being scored, then a Rouge should be awarded. If there is doubt as to whether a Rouge would have been scored, then the attackers should be awarded a Point and given the choice of a Free-kick or Set-Piece Bully on the 3 yard line.
If a Rougeable ball is touched by an attacker who came from a Sneaking or Cornering position, then 3 points are awarded to the attacking team, followed by a goal-kick – there is no choice of a Free-Kick/Set-Piece Bully on the 3-yard-line.
If there is any foul or dangerous play (or abusive behaviour) by an attacker trying to touch a Rougeable ball, then the score is discounted. The play re-starts with a goal-kick to the defenders (and any sanctions appropriate for the attacker in question).
(b) GOAL
A Goal is scored if the ball goes behind through the goal. N.B. – it must FULLY cross the goal-line.
After a Goal, play is re-started with a Set-Piece-Bully in the middle of the field. The side against whom the Goal has been scored has Heads.