Just guessing

[dbwill]

In the mists of history (as a player in the 80's) we would judge the quality of an overhand set mostly by the spin - any side spin at all or more than 2* rotations front or back was a double.

Now as a new ref I'm finding things are more relaxed, which is good for more play and fewer whistles, but also more challenging to be consistent. Also many of the spectators are of an age where perhaps they too remember judging by spin more than actual contact which is why they still like to grouse about hands.

* actual number was subject of vigorous debate!

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by dbwill

In the mists of history (as a player in the 80's) we would judge the quality of an overhand set mostly by the spin - any side spin at all or more than 2* rotations front or back was a double.

In this neck of the woods, we're now being told that spin is irrelevant. You can apply spin just as easily with one hand or finger as you can with two hands, so that can't be a reliable criterion for judging a double. At least, that's what we're being told.