Draw defenders into the middle to create space outside
Sure, but only if you're not actually giving the ball inside
Give the halves time to set up the a play properly
So a settler? can do without getting the halves involved. I'd rather the half not do this so they can look at whats going on for the next play
Get the ball to the right position on the field for a set piece
Can do with out the half getting involved
If you have someone run inside and don't pass it to them you make them think about if they will need to compress if you actually throw a few the D line will naturally start to compress to compensate. Then when you run your backline play and have a decoy inside runner the D line (which hopefully is already a little compressed) will hold their slide to ensure the play doesn't switch back in the opposite direction and you give yourself an even better chance of opening space out wide.
There is also using it to try and attack in behind the ruck, whether targeting lazy markers who think play is going away from them, or to try and force a certain player to take on back to back tackles. Targeting the ruck will also compress the defensive line.
While not always the case often the half is looking outward and doesn't like what they see for whatever reason so they pick up the (potential decoy) inside runner to reset the play so they can have another look.
At the end of the day Rugby League coaches across the country use inside balls for a few different things, including it being prominant in the NRL. Do you seriously think you are more likely to be correct about them than virtually everyone else?
Yes, they often don't look like they achieve much but neither does any other regulation hitup which this is often just a variant of (so we aren't so predictable), often hitups are one off the half, this is the same. Using the half also helps the D think the ball is going the other way than it ends up going, which can put them off balance, a one out runner back on the same line as the inside pass never fools anyone.
The anti-inside ball crowd (was probably you) were complaining earlier in the year about them and then the next weekend Woods ran an inside ball, caught defence flat footed because of change of angle, got a quick play the ball and then we spread wide and scored.
I am going to trust that you actually sat there with a notepad and pen and counted that
Waiting your explanation on why inside balls are so great
The expectation that every play in the NRL needs to be 'great' is a good example of why you hate Chad so much.
It's also wrong.
You have to earn the opportunities and do the hard work to make your plays look great.
