Precisely. One option is taken away. You need to kick it, or try to. The tackle is not preventing you from disposing of the ball. It is limiting your options.If one arm is pinned you are not able to handball
Most players try to kick the ball in that situation. The remainder curl up in a ball looking for a bounce. I haven't seen any players stand there looking for the ump as if to say "He's got my arm!".
I usually refrain but JFC, after a lifetime of watching the game most people expect that to be paid as holding the ball. If what you're saying is correct, there has been a recent change in interpretation which has not been communicated to the public. The paying public.People like to get personal and make smart arse comments at me when it comes to the umpiring
I find it very hard to believe that the umpires did their jobs correctly yet in a mostly contested game we didn't receive any frees for holding the ball that I can recall.
What did you think of the free against Jack Graham where the ball was clearly and immediately knocked from his grasp? Where was his prior? Was it incorrect disposal?
Without having access to the stats I would suggest different perceptions of holding the ball and variations thereof, for and against, are the leading contributor to our free kick differential over the last five years.
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