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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 40/10 |
17th November 2010 |
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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 40/10 |
17th November 2010 |
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PREPAY BUAFL TEAMS
The following teams have prepaid for the season:
Bath, Bath Spa, Bristol, Brunel, Leeds Carnegie, Derby, Edinburgh, Exeter, Kent, Kings London, Hertford, Nottingham Trent, Portsmouth, Solent, Southampton, Staffordshire, Stirling (for two games only), UWE, Warwick
The following team should be treated as prepaid
ARU, Birmingham, BNU, Canterbury, Greenwich, Sheffield Halam, Imperial Immortals, LBSU Spartans, Newcastle, Royal Holloway, UCH Hull (first two games only), UWS Pyros, York (first two games only)
The following team is currently not receiving officials:
Surrey
Charlie Dean Young
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
The following people have membership for 2011, correct to Thursday 18th November 2010:
Dave Allan, Ashley Allen, James Arthur, Graham Baker, Ian Ball, Robert Banks, Francis Bevan, Andrew Binns, Bill Bowsher, Ellis Bowyer, Ashley Bradbury, Mark Bridgham, Dan Bridgland, Jim Briggs, Amir Brooks, Roger Brown, Derek Burridge, Mike Cavanagh, Alan Christopher, Phil Clarke, Alisha Cockerill, Martin Cockerill, Graham Coleman, Ian Coleman, Phil Cottier, Norman Cox, Ian Cubitt, Ian Davies, Alex De Val, Charles Dean-Young, Paul Donaghy, John Doneghan, Ed Elliott, Mike Fenton, Tim Fisher, Robert Fitzsimmonds, Cameron Gibson, Martin Gibson, Murray Gibson, Kenny Glover, Ray Grace, Ben Griffiths, Gerry Grunska, Aminul Hassan, Graham Hedges, Daniel Holt, Chris Jarvis, Pete Johnson, Simon Jones, Fletcher Kinnie, Albert Lambert Jnr., David Knight, Mike LeFevre, Andrew Leigh, Steven Leonard, Tzvi Lindeman, Andrew Lovell, Richard Madge, Julian Mallia, William Marriage, Gordon McJannett, Clyde Messenger, Lee Mills, Marquez Milton, CK Nam, Russell Newton, Dave Norton, Chris Oates, Glenn Oates, Tim Ockendon, Colin O’Connor, Christian Olsson, Jeremy Parker, David Parsons, Pete Parsons, Euan Patterson, Colin Payne, Richard Prattley, Alun Price, Stephen Quick, Les Reynolds, Larry Rigby. Tony Rivers, John Roberts, Peter Roberts, Simon Ryan, Norval Scott, Peter Scott, Scott Silver, Ian Sneddon, Lee Stephenson, Paul Sutton, Jonathan Swithenbank, Anthony Tagg, Pete Thom, Steve Tonkinson, Ben Townsend, Ron Vale, Richard Vernon, Tim Vickers, Ian Wainwright, Jeremy Walker, Mark Ward, Colin Willox, Alan Wilson, Mark Wilson, Lee Wood, Daniel Wright, Dean Wright, Brian Yates, Stuart Young.
Thank you to those who have renewed. If you have sent me your renewal and believe I should have received it by the above date, please e-mail me. If you have not received a renewal form, you should contact me as a matter of urgency. The period for reduced rate renewal is now passed and people will need to renew at the full rate.
A number of people have contacted me to say they are in the process of renewing. Remember however that you have not renewed until you have returned your form and paid your fee. IF YOU ARE NOT ON THE ABOVE LIST, YOU DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A 2011 MEMBERSHIP.
If you are having difficulty in paying, you should contact Andrew Lovell, the Director of Finance, at finance@bafra.org to agree either paying by instalments or paying from game fees or any other money that may be owed. The absolute cut-off date for payment and return of your form is 31st December 2010, but I strongly advise people not to leave renewal to the last minute as it may be delayed in the Christmas mail.
The vast majority have returned the survey along with their form. I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to give your opinions on a variety of issues and to also provide suggestions for training etc. As in previous years, an analysis of the survey will be published for members after the renewal period closes.
If for any reason you do not wish to renew, I would appreciate it if you would take the time to let me know why, either by returning the pink form (and your survey if you wish) or, if you prefer, by an e- mail. If you do not wish your reasons to be shared, it will only be reported to the other Directors as statistical information.
An updated membership list will appear in future editions of Newsflash.
Paul Sutton
AMERICAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Just a short note to mention that I have been inducted into the American Football News Today Minor League Football hall of Fame. My selection was proposed and endorsed by coach Bob Shaw (Cambridge Cats), coach Brian Smallworth (Cornish Sharks) and coach Dick Seuss (former Birmingham Bulls, circa 1990).
This is a great honour for me and especially for all in BAFRA who help and support football and officiating in Britain and beyond.
Brian Yates
#29
JIM'S JOTTINGS
Some observations on rules and mechanics.
Trick plays
To underline what Dean wrote last week about trick plays (especially the one online at http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/23683/), here's what Rogers Redding (NCAA Rules Editor) is reported to have said:
"Actions or verbiage designed to confuse the defence into believing the snap is not imminent are not legal. This includes pretending to have a problem with the play that has been called, an equipment problem with a shoe, the ball, etc. and feigning an injury. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if an act appears to be unfair, it is probably contrary to the rules."
Let's clamp down on these kinds of plays. If a coach tells you about it before the game, tell him his team will be penalised if they run it. If they run it, flag them. The penalty is 15 yards from the previous spot.
Becoming a spectator
Twice this year, I've encountered "persons subject to the rules" (one assistant coach, one player) who, at some point during the game, have announced to the officials that they are no longer participating in the game and have become a "spectator". Without wanting to go into the motives that these people may have had, what is their status with regards to the rules?
Not surprisingly, NCAA rules don't cater specifically for this eventuality. However, we don't want persons subject to the rules to be able to switch roles and thereby gain some advantage for their team (e.g. by standing in a more advantageous position to see play) or to pose a problem for game control (e.g. by criticising the officials). Therefore, we should regard anyone who is on their team's roster as irremovable from it and they must remain subject to the rules throughout the game.
Penalty enforcement
It's important for all the officials on the crew to know what is going on when a penalty is being enforced. The Umpire plays a pivotal role in this. He needs to be within earshot when another official reports a foul to the Referee. That means he knows what the foul is and what the likely enforcement will be. He can also inform other officials of those facts. If the Referee needs to consult the offended captain about whether he wants to accept or decline the penalty (and remember that this should be rare – the majority of penalties are obvious), the Umpire should also witness this so that he knows whether to march the yardage off or not.
This involvement of the Umpire in penalty administration is higher priority than spotting the ball at the dead-ball spot (after all, that task will be wasted if the penalty is accepted), and shouldn't be delayed even if the Umpire doesn't have a ball to hand (someone else should get one to him). All officials should hustle during penalty enforcement. It is not good for officials to be strolling towards the Referee to report a penalty: jog (unless you've got the dead ball spot, in which case stay at it and have the Referee come to you).
Jim Briggs
rules@bafa.org.uk / mechanics@bafra.org
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NAME |
# |
TEAM |
CODE |
Q |
OFFENCE |
SUSPENDED |
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New this week – None |
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Previous weeks |
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Note: it is the responsibility of the individual teams to ensure that their suspended players serve their suspensions in the proper game (according to the BAFA Disciplinary Code), and any dates mentioned here are intended only as a guide. |
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HOME TEAM |
REPORT |
NEXT HOME GAME |
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New this week |
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Canterbury Chargers |
Kickoff was delayed by 15 minutes due to late arrival of ambulance. Field markings were in blue on a rugby pitch with white markings. Over half the yard lines marked were so faint as to be practically invisible and many were crooked. No team areas, 9-yard marks or hashmarks either at sideline or on the middle of the field, making measurements impossible. Changing rooms were locked for 15 minutes after end of game whilst a key was found. Crew not paid. Tim Ockendon #481 |
30/01/2011 v Kent Falcons |
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South Bank Spartans |
Very muddy surface, deteriorated as the game progressed. Field markings in yellow, some lines disappeared under mud and rain. No numbers or 9-yard marks. Team areas marked between the 20s. NFL hashmarks. One end of the field had a significant covering of leaves. Small cones instead of pylons. No yardage markers. Chain crew changed at half-time. No private shower or toilet. Alan Dobson #308 |
Unknown |
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Leeds Celtics |
Team Areas between the 30 yard lines. No Coaching Line only Team Area line at 12ft from sideline. No on-field numbers or 9 yrd marks. Otherwise a very well marked field. Chris Jarvis #10 |
28/11/2011 v Huddersfield Hawks |
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BNU Buccaneers |
80 yard field, 7 yard end zones, coaching/team areas marked with cones, NFL-style hashmarks, game started 10 minutes late due to late arrival of ambulance. Brian Yates #29 |
13/02/2011 v Royal Holloway Bears |
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Sheffield Sabres |
Late KO due to late arrival of away team. 80 yard field with no posts, hash marks only on one sideline and no team areas marked. No separate changing room due to overbooking of facilities. One official arrived late and took his place with 8 seconds of the first half remaining. Chris Oates #530 |
21/11/2010 v Bangor Muddogs |
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Royal Holloway Bears |
On arrival, field was marked as 100 yards between goal lines, but each goal post was on a 5-yard line located in the middle of the end zone. At our request, game management moved the end zone pylons and sideline markers so that the original 5-yard lines became the goal lines, and the lines through the goal posts became the end lines, and the field of play was reduced to 90 yards. Field marked with NFL hash marks (and they are only 1 foot long). No 9-yard marks or numbers. No team area or coaching box markings. No limit lines. Changing room quite nice but not lockable and shared with gym users and soccer referee. Kickoff delayed 5 minutes due to lateness of card checks by both teams.
Note to future crews at Royal Holloway: The American football field is located between two soccer pitches. The gap between the respective sidelines is about 12 feet on one side and about 8 feet on the other. Today, neither soccer pitch was in use, but if either was used, it would be necessary to move both teams and the chains on to one side of the field. If both soccer pitches were in use, it would be impossible to continue to play an American football game safely. Note also that the (ostensibly portable but actually wheel-clamped) floodlights in each corner of the field would be within the limit lines if the field was not shortened. Under those circumstances the field would also be unsafe unless all parts of the floodlight trailers were adequately padded (not just the towbars as of today). Jim Briggs #31 |
21/11/2010 v Brunel |
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Greenwich Mariners |
Nice 3rd generation astroturf field, but the endzones were too small. Both coaches agreed to play with the small endzones and a 90yd field. No hash marks, no numbers, no 9yd marks, no coaches boxes, no team boxes, no pylons. Lines very faint because washed out by the rain. Only 2 footballs, visiting team supplied a 3rd ball. Down box worn out and would not show 2nd down. Steve Tonkinson #99 |
21/11/2010 v UEA Pirates |
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Edinburgh Predators |
No limit lines, no 9 yd marks or numbers Henry Richardson #25 |
21/11/2010 v Newcastle Raiders |
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Leeds Carnegie |
Field was 3G pitch, but was only 80 yards long. No coaching area line marked on 6 feet only limit line at 12 feet, team areas were not marked between the 25-yard lines. Chain crew and one ball boy were slow and inattentive, often ending up facing the wrong direction! Home Team Game management was first class. Ben Griffiths #228 |
20/11/2010 v Manchester Tyrants |
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Worcester Royals |
Temporary ground, 70 yards with 8 yard endzones, probably marked in meters. Ground was too wide, with rugby posts and only one ballperson. Changing rooms inadequate due to being in a kitchen. Gloucester had insufficient shirts so used some similarly-coloured ones. Very good game management. Charlie Dean Young #258 |
12/12/2010 v Lincoln Colonials |
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Outstanding items from previous weeks |
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Brunel Burners |
Field mostly good, but no 9-yard marks or numbers. At least 5 hashmarks between the 5-yard lines, which were correctly spaced. 90-yard field with team areas marked between the 20s.
Kickoff delayed 10 minutes while the chain crew were found and briefed, and KCL provided a properly numbered roster. Brunel only provided two footballs.
Brunel claimed issues with jersey supplies, so the following allowances were made: Number 95 and 98 were allowed to play as ineligible receivers, and a few other players played in solid red or solid black practice jerseys with no numbers, all as eligible receivers, and all identified on the roster form.
Changing room large, warm and clean, but no private shower and toilet, and it's approximately 500 yards from the field. Advisable to walk it rather than drive. Alan Dobson # 308 |
05/12/10 v Imperial Immortals |
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UWS Pyros |
No Team or Coaching area marked out. No field numbers. Changing room only had seating for 1 person. Davie Parsons #425 |
28/11/10 v Sunderland Spartans |
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Brighton Tsunami |
Field had markings for multiple sports. Football markings were in dark blue. No main yard lines, only extended hashmarks every 10 yards which made measurements impossible. Improvised team areas were marked out with cones. Goals set back from end line and strapped to fence surrounding field. Tim Ockendon #481 |
12/12/10 v Canterbury Chargers |
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Glasgow Tigers |
No numbers on field or 9 Yard marks, no limit line, no hash marks on sidelines Henry Richardson #25 |
28/11/10 v Edinburgh Predators |
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Derby Braves |
The pitch is astroturf, the markings are inadequate (feint but playable), although are fine for kick offs. Goalposts are stuck on soccer posts and kicks were only possible at one end. Charlie Dean Young #258 |
05/12/10 v Birmingham Lions |
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Imperial Immortals |
No field markings at all except end line, side lines and half way line. No team areas, coaching boxes or limit lines. Used rugby 5 metre line as goal line and guessed the rest. no hashmarks either. Brian Yates #29 |
21/11/10 v South Bank University |
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Staffordshire Stallions |
No coaches or team areas marked. Teams used other markings on the field after officials explained to them the penalties of getting in the way. Chain crew disappeared at half time. Down box moved when shouldn't have in q1, a better chain crew was found for the second half. Andrew Lovell #559 |
21/11/10 v NTU Renegades |
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Note: it is possible that any game may be cancelled, or any team may arrange additional games. Any dates mentioned here are intended only as a guide. |
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PLAY OF THE WEEK:
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New this week |
Play:
4th and 10 on
A's 30. Team A punt. The ball rolls to a halt on B's 42 yard
line when A23 runs up to the ball and touches it on the ground. A
few seconds later – as A23 is walking away – B81 runs
to the ball, picks it up and runs into his own end zone.
Believing he has scored a Touchdown, B81 spikes the ball. The
ball goes out of the back of team B's end zone. Ruling?
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Previous week's play |
Play: A's ball, 4th and 2, on A's 28. The score is A20-B14. The game clock shows 30 seconds when the referee gives the ready for play signal. At 20 seconds, the side judge stops the clock and informs the referee that the 25-second play clock did not start. Clock?
Ruling: A's ball, 4th and 2, on A's 28. The game clock is to be reset to 30 seconds (3-2-2-c). Rule 3-2-2-e does not apply since the 25-second count was not interrupted. The game clock and the play clock will start on the ready for play. This question assumes that there are visible stadium clocks (M-5-13-1). |
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MECHANICS:
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New this week |
Game
Situation: A 4 man crew are
covering a passing play. Both wingmen have left the line of
scrimmage to cover deep receivers. The quarterback throws a pass
out wide to an eligible receiver behind the line of scrimmage.
The pass falls shorts though and hits the ground. Due to the
relative positions of the officials and the players there is doubt
over if the ball was passed forwards or backwards.
Ruling? |
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Last week |
Game
Situation: How
should a Linesman and Linejudge work together during a penalty
enforcement to ensure that yardage is marked off correctly. Note
that this is not a free kick play. |
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Date |
Event |
Contact for details |
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2009 |
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November 20th (Sat) |
BAFRA board meeting |
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March 19th 20th (Sat – Sun) |
BAFRA Convention |
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BAFRA Directors |
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President |
David Parsons |
General Secretary |
Paul Sutton |
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Finance |
Andrew Lovell |
Operations |
Pete Johnson |
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Recruitment |
Ben Griffiths |
Training |
Charlie Dean Young |
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Director without Portfolio #1 |
Martin Cockerill |
Director without Portfolio #2 |
Steve Tonkinson |
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The opinions expressed in this Newsflash are those of the contributors, and not necessarily of BAFRA or its Directors. All Incident Reports to be submitted via www.bafra.org. Deadline for articles submitted by email (newsflash@bafra.org) is midnight Tuesday. |
Editor: Dean Wright - Email: newsflash@bafra.org