Rather than me in particular filling up other threads, I thought I'd open one for general questions for those of us with limited knowledge of the sport. Equally no problem you regulars raising topics that even as knowledgeable followers you want to discuss. Not even sure a qualified referee knows everything!

Please be kind to those who look to help and don't try and ridicule them if their answer isn't perfect; it just stops people helping if they think they will be judged. Years ago I attended a presentation/Q&A in a bar by a professional Basketball Referee. It was very good. But even he left us flabbergasted at one point. A fan was asking about the intricacies' of basket interference (differences between the NBA and European rules).on an alley oop. He didn't have a clue about the question however well the fan repeated it. Pretty certain he understood the calls to make though if it happened on court, but he seemed oblivious to the term "alley oop". But the fans respected that and didn't treat him with disdain because of that and just moved on to the next question.

As to whether there are other newbies on this forum at the moment mind !

So I have a question.

Is AFC Wimbledon's pitch a bit short for a Standard Rugby League pitch. I believe it is 105m x 68m looking at the internet.

Is a Rugby League pitch meant to be 100m plus 2x6m in goal? If so are exceptions allowed?

Looks like the width is spot on, but those in goal areas look like 5.5m's or so. I was very confused by the lines at around 20m for example. A second line was added on match day (wasn't present at the football the day before) about a metre from from the other. Was this because each half was less than 50m. So when running out from the 10 yard line the defence had to start at the line (probably 20m) nearest the centre. But when defending from the 30m line, the defence had to use the line (probably 19m) nearest the goal. Easy examples to illustrate.

Am I anywhere near the mark. On the day I thought the groundsman had got his first lines wrong, but now I think there was more to it.

It's a good question. The pitch itself is a decent size and better than a lot out there. In goals look tight but then look at old Trafford in goals when that is used.
For markings, 10 and 20 need to be correctly spaced from goal line. 40 mtr is interesting one generally it's 10 mtrs from centre line.
As for defensive line, it's the referee who is setting the 10mtr back from the PTB. The lines on the pitch notably 30 mtr are not always spaced correctly. Example used if ptb is on the 40 mtr line, then the 30 mtr line is not always 10mtrs so players and referees need to be aware of spacing. Yes I am a ref, at community level, I personally pace out the lines to check if they are 10 mtrs and if I can use them as a guide. At higher grades I know officials judge 10 mtrs without to much reliance on the pitch markings due to different length pitches.
If the ref is not in defensive line not setting the 10 players are still responsible and expected to be onside, so players should also be aware of short markings.

Thank-you ... I should have looked at more than the first result returned by google. Schoolboy error !

Very interesting. Thank-you.

Does that suggest that the two lines (extending touchline to touchline) about a yard apart at around 20m were the result of the original line being incorrect (maybe even identified by an official) and the correct one added last minute? They were basically rail lines and not just at 20m. Certainly looked strange.

Best advice I can give is to watch old challenge cup finals and internationals on video.
When I started folowing I borrowed tapes and got a far better understanding of the game and rules from that than trying to grasp them at a live game

Yes I agree trying to grasp the rules etc from a live game isn't the best way.

I'll probably check out some of the current season matches on Channel 4 / Premier Sports to get a feel for the flow of the game etc.

Can't remember seeing those lines. I know multiple markings can cause confusion with players, york City knights and fev game showed that, Jesse injured himself I think from not being sure of which line was try line at LNER..
TBH didn't look too close at markings at plough Lane, penalty box line can't be too far from 20 mtr but that does not go line to line.
SL on sky depends on the commentary, Eddie and Stevo got into habit of criticising every decision rather than just calling the game.
So depends on who is commentating this season.
Premier sport commentary was not too bad.
Don't forget RFL and NRL play different rules in some areas

This Image is Hosted on Imgur : Users should see the AUP for allowable uses https://imgur.com/a/iA6Io5L This link shows the pitch at Plough Lane last night with lots of unusual (?) markings from the Rugby League.

This Image is Hosted on Imgur : Users should see the AUP for allowable uses https://imgur.com/a/iA6Io5L This link shows the pitch at Plough Lane last night with lots of unusual (?) markings from the Rugby League.