DISCIPLINARY CASES

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

DISQUALIFICATION APPEALS

In Newsflash 33/06 we listed 3 disqualifications from the 20th August YKL semi-final between Clyde Valley Hawks and Bristol Aztecs. All 3 ejections have been overturned on appeal on the grounds that the officials misapplied a rule. Therefore the suspensions of Darren Brownlie, Chris Henderson (both Clyde Valley) and Ben Cooper (Bristol) are cancelled. Cooper is allowed to play in the final, and both Brownlie and Henderson will also be allowed to play in the in the Plate Finals preceding the Championship game.

YOUTH BOWL FINALS

Despite the problems with the field, caused by the use of a rugby league stadium, the organisation of the BYAFA bowl and plate was very well done. The card checks and were done seamlessly by the organisers and they should be commended for their efforts in getting both games kicked off at the advertised times. The fact that the two games were both close and well played, and the second was won in O/T on a fourth down pass added to a most enjoyable event.

Well done BYAFA.

Keith Wickham #423

BULLDOGS GAME REPORT

An correction to the report for the GB Bulldogs included in Newsflash 33/06: the game was played at Moorways in Derby, and the field was 80-yards long and not 40-yards as reported.

NEW E-CODE

In view of a rule-change in Youth Football this year, it has been decided to add a new e-code. This is for Youth games only and is for persistent personal fouls (PPF). For an explanation of applying this rule see JIM'S JOTTINGS below.

The paper and on-line versions of the Incident Forms have been updated to reflect this, and should be used from now on. The paper version may be downloaded from the member's area by clicking the Gameday Paperwork or All Paperwork link.

NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTORS

The closing date for receipt of nominations has now passed, and the following members have been nominated for election:

Tzvi Lindeman
returning@bafra.org

ELITE TRAINING DAY

Some more details about the Elite Programme training day. It's on Saturday 16th September starting at 0930 and finishing mid-afternoon. The venue is the Holiday Inn Heathrow Ariel. Directions from the Holiday Inn website say:

• LEAVE THE M25 AT JUNCTION 15 ONTO THE M4.
• LEAVE THE M4 AT JUNCTION 4 ONTO THE SPUR ROAD TOWARDS HEATHROW AIRPORT.
• TAKE THE FIRST LEFT OFF TOWARDS THE A4, ONTO THE BATH ROAD (A4 TO LONDON).
• GO THROUGH 3 SETS OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND THE HOTEL IS ON YOUR LEFT.

Note there are 2 Holiday Inns on the A4 at Heathrow. This one is at the east end of the airport.

The programme includes some video review, a practical session (please bring a flag and bean bag) and of course lots of discussion of rules and mechanics.

A few people have let me know that they can't attend, so there are some vacancies for not-yet elite officials to come along if they wish. Just let me know.

Jim Briggs
president@bafra.org

BAFCA CONVENTION

The British American Football Coaches Association is holding its annual Convention in Leicester over the weekend of 15th-17th September. All BAFA members are welcome to attend. Jim Criner is the guest speaker.

For more details see http://www.bafca.org/clinic.htm.

Jim Briggs
president@bafra.org

BAFRA SHIRT BADGES

I now have a supply of BAFRA cloth badges, and anyone wishing to purchase one (or more) should write to me requesting same and enclosing a cheque payable to BAFRA for £2.00 (each).

Roger Stangroom
secretary@bafra.org

MCGRIFF DISCUSSION BOARD

For those who like that sort of thing (and I do) the McGriff discussion board is now back up and running although at a slightly different location. It can be found at http://www.gmcgriff.com/discus/messages/6/6.html.

THE REVEREND REF

The following email has been received from Robert Banks:

Re: Former member Susan Banks #368

Susan was my Line Judge until she was pregnant with our son Jonathan. She was the only Secretary that BAFRA North West Local Association ever had and held the position of General Secretary for BAFRA for a period of time.

Some 6 years ago she asked if I would support her if she "applied" to be ordained within the Church of England - the "Job Interview" (selection procedure) took 3 years before she was accepted for training. Training on the Northern Ordination Course took another 3 years and she was ordained as a Deacon at the beginning of July this year - she will be ordained as a Priest in June 2007.

We have left our 2 bedroom bungalow in Radcliffe and now reside in a 4 bedroom vicarage on the outskirts of Oldham. The Reverend Susan Banks will take up her own parish in approx. 3 years time after completing her "apprenticeship" as a Curate. She took her training to a level more than was necessary in order to get an external degree from Leeds University - ceremony in 12/06 but degree level not yet known.

Susan's interest in BAFRA is reflected in her e-mail address of susan@banks368.fsnet.org.uk.

BAFRA has its own Chaplain if required...

Robert Banks #261

JIM'S JOTTINGS

The appeals described above arose because the crew on the day believed there to be a rule that in youth football a player was automatically ejected for a second personal foul. This is not the case. Rule 12-1-9 states "If a player persistently commits personal fouls in a game, he shall be disqualified." Of course this rests on the definition of "persistent".

The dictionary defines persistent as "constantly repeated; continued". Are two occurrences "persistent"? No. Are three? Possibly. Are four? Maybe.

The intention of the Rules Committee was not to constrain officials to a specific number, but for them to use their judgement as to whether a pattern of personal fouls by a player caused a serious safety or conduct issue. The Rules Committee trusts officials to call things fairly as they see them rather than try to come up with a rigid set of criteria that binds them to some particular action.

For example, if a player was called more than twice for blocking below the waist, one might hypothesise that the message hadn't got through to this player that such an act was illegal and that perhaps sitting him down for the rest of the game (and the next one) might be the only way to protect the safety of the other players. On the other hand, an individual player might be called for a clip, then hurdling, then spearing, then roughing the passer, etc. In this case there is less of a pattern unless the officials judged that recklessness was involved.

Obviously, officials should take steps to prevent a pattern of fouls becoming persistent (this advice of course doesn't just apply to personal fouls in youth games - it applies to all types of foul in all types of game). Make sure the player understands what he is doing that is illegal. According to the situation, that could be achieved by talking to the player directly, or by talking to his coach, or both.

Jim Briggs
rules@bafra.org

DELAYED RECOGNITION

Play: As a first-down running play ends with a 5 yard gain, the Linejudge sees a Team B player leave the field without a substitute taking his place. The Linejudge counts 11 Team B players on the field, which means the player who left was the 12th participant. At the same time the Referee blows the whistle to signify the ball is ready.
Is it too late to penalise Team B for illegal participation?

Ruling: The situation is not specifically covered in the rulebook. However, it is analogous to a team being shorted a down. Such a correction can be made until the ball is next snapped. Therefore, it is not too late to penalise team B. However, the official must be certain the foul has occurred. Any other official responsible for counting Team B should be consulted before the foul is called. Another official may have information that could prevent a mistake (5-2-3).

Reprinted with written permission from Referee magazine.
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