CONVENTION COUNTDOWN
Annual Examination
It's that time of year again
- The exam will be issued at the Annual Convention and AGM set for Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March 2007. Members who attend will have 5 full weeks from the date of the Convention to submit their answer sheet by the closing date. i.e. 28th April 2007
- Those members who do not attend the Convention will be sent the Exam by post within 7 days of the Convention and it must be returned by 28th April 2007.
- A maximum of 1-week extension may be granted, but only in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Director of Training.
- Members who complete the exam by the 28th April 2007 will be given priority on all Bowl and Play-off games.
- Members who do not complete the exam within the defined timescales will not be scheduled to any games whatsoever. Note: This may sound harsh, however, BAFRA’s Board of Directors are duty bound to make all efforts to ensure BAFRA is not put a risk, by having unqualified Officials on the field that could subsequently raise questions on Insurance cover and possible liability claims.
- There is no option to receive the exam by email. This may appear strange in this technological age; however there is a very good reason which will be explained fully at the Convention.
- ALL exam returns must be made by hard copy through the post.
Registration
Just a note to clarify that even though you may not require overnight accommodation at the Convention Hotel, you still need to register your intention to attend by contacting Charlie at finance@bafra.org.
See Newsflash issue 04/07 for Convention details, hotel location and accommodation information. You can find a copy on the web site at http://bafra.org/newsflash/200704.htm.
Davie Parsons
training@bafra.org
EDITORIAL
New Timing Rule - Email received from coach Jim Messenger
I've just read your statement in Newsflash about the timing rule, specifically the loophole on kick-offs 'discovered' by Wisconsin.
I note the latest information suggests that NCAA will be reversing this rule next year but obviously in the meantime we still have a potential problem.
I thought it might be of interest to state my position as a coach. I must admit, on seeing the incident that probably like everyone else I had a chuckle at the craftiness of Wisconsin's action. They were shrewd enough to spot this loophole, organised enough to prepare for it (and one assumes the possibility of being on the receiving end) and had balls enough to exploit it, in spite of the bad publicity this might generate.
I can feel the 'dark-side' calling to me to consider using this tactic. It would be very seductive in a crucial, close finish game.
If this is not a contravention of the rules then coaches should legitimately exploit it. After all, legally utilising the full breadth of the rules to their team's advantage is part of the coaches duty. Like a great yachtsman who can win races by sailing closer to the wind, a well coached team should be able to get closer to the boundaries of the rules to achieve advantages.
The potential threat of a USC 15 yard penalty doesn't necessarily prevent this from happening. There are still times when it would be well worth the trade-off!
As we approach the BCAFL play-offs, with the arguably better prepared teams entering must-win games, the likelihood of this tactic being employed seems to be growing.
So, does BAFRA have any official line of advice on this for coaches?
Jim Messenger
In a further email, Jim also suggests that the argument for a USC seems to be that the kicking team are deliberately committing an action penalised by the rules in an attempt to run down the clock.
It has started me thinking if there are any other such situations.
The obvious one is where a team's offense could deliberatley take a delay of game penalty, making no attempt to snap the ball.
Would this also be considered an unsportsmanlike act?
My answer was that I seem to remember that some fouls which are considered deliberate and to conserve time (such as illegally spiking the ball, deliberately throwing the ball out of bounds) cause the clock to start on the ready rather than the snap but I don't remember any the other way round.
NCAA Rule Changes2007
It seems as if the NCAA Rules Committee have decided to do something about this timing rule.
Principally they are suggesting:
- Starting the clock on kickoffs only when the ball is legally touched by a receiver in the field of play.
- Have the clock start on the snap after a change in possession.
- Kickoffs moved from 35-yard line to 30-yard line.
- Reduced charged team timeouts by 30 seconds.
- Penalties for all kicking team fouls that occur during the kick can be enforced at the end of the run.
- Play clock is started when the ball is handed to the kicker by the umpire on all free kicks (that'll be fun for umpires when they have to run to the sideline, Ed))
Their proposals may be viewed at http://www.ncaasports.com/story/9997258, and there is a discussion going on at http://www.refstripes.com/forum/index.php?topic=1876.0.
Roger Stangroom
secretary@bafra.org
BAFRA ON TV
Email eceived from Dan Bridgland
A little item that may or may not be of interest.
Sussex Thunder's website: http://www.sussex-thunder.co.uk features a part of a Meridian TV news broadcast from last August with a story about the team.
As well as interviews with players, chairman Tony Miller and head coach Warren Smart, there are also action sequences from a home game against Maidstone Pumas.
If you're wondering who the crew were for that game, I can report that it was:
R - Bridgland
U - Dobson
H - Sowerby
L - Pearce
B - Willox
Both Chris Sowerby and Colin Willox get to star on TV signalling touchdowns by Sussex.
The next time you work with them be sure to ask for their autographs!
Live life one yard at a time.
Dan Bridgland #506
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Davie informs me that Gordon McJannett, Tom Hotchkiss, Bob Fitsimmonds and Alun Price have all passed their competency examination - please join me in congratulating them and welcoming them to BAFRA.
He also informs me that Dean Wright has now achieved "Qualified" status - again please join me in congratulating him.
Roger Stangroom
secretary@bafra.org
PRE-PAID TEAMS
Here is a full list of those teams who have pre-paid BAFRA for their officials.
Every other team is expected to pay the officials on the day.
| Birmingham University | UWE Bullets | Derby University | Hertfordshire University |
| Kent University | Royal Holloway University | Sheffield Hallam University | Staffordshire University |
| Surrey University | Teeside University | Warwick University | Greenwich University |
| Glasgow University | Loughborough University | | |
HERTFORDSHIRE HURRICANES v NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS
After all manner of communications - E-Mails, Text messages, mobile calls, landline calls, semaphore flags, Aldis lamps, etc. the Herts - Notts game took place at Kings Norton RFC in South Birmingham. A long trip for everybody on the day. Plaudits to all concerned at Herts, Notts and Redditch Arrows.
I might have lied about the Aldis lamps.....
Steve Tonkinson #99
DISCIPLINARY CASES
| NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED |
| 18 February |
| NONE
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| Outstanding items from previous weeks |
| NONE
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GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
| HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
| 18 February |
| Loughborough Aces
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Both Loughborough and Birmingham failed to inform the 5-man crew allocated that the game had been called off and all five turned up to officiate.
Muz Gibson #268
Note from Pete Thom - Loughborough contacted me by e-mail at 11:54pm Saturday night to tell me that their game was off, I didn't get the e-mail until Sunday night so the crew went to the venue to find that the game had been cancelled.
Loughborough say that they left an answer phone message with "BAFRA", I received no phone messages from them.
Note from Charlie - Loughborough left a message on my phone at 2000 on Saturday, which as I was away I didn't receive till Sunday night.
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Playoffs?
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| Glasgow Tigers
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No admin fee paid. Glasgow stated that they have paid the admin fee up front to BAFRA.
No field numbers, No Team are marked, No hash marks at sideline.
Plaudits to both teams for the sporting manner in which the game was played
Davie Parsons #425
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Playoffs
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| Oxford Cavaliers
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Field marked in metres. Used 1 of Bath's footballs. Because of prior knowledge of changing facilities, went ready-dressed.
Brian Yates #29
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Playoffs?
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| ARU Phantoms
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Game delayed due to late arrival of away team. Only two balls presented 1 used for kicking 1 used for game. Only one goal post. Chain crew inadequate got better in 2nd half. No limit lines.
Martin Cockerill #345
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Playoffs?
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| Newcastle Raiders
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90yd pitch, no 9yd numbers. Very hard fought and close game, plaudits to coaches and players from both teams, it was a pleasure to officiate and be involved in this game.
Ian Cubitt #457
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Playoffs?
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| Royal Holloway Vikings
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Royal Holloway did not have a game manager and could not provide a roster in time. They did find one in the end but ended up with a delay of game penalty at the opening kick off because of a 15 minute delay. Royal Holloway did not have any game ball available so we played with a ball from Kent.
The chain crew needed a lot of attention to say the least. Game suspended for 25 minutes to attend an injured player on the field.
Ralph Lenoir #523
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Brighton Tsumani
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Brighton Tsunami
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Although a Brighton home game, it was played at Southampton's regular venue.
End zones only 8yds deep. Team area lines only 10ft from sideline. Goal posts tied to fence and approx 2yds beyond end lines. These are all due to restricted space within fence surrounding field. No limit lines. No numbers. Two wires stretched across field approximately 8ft from ground. Officials' changing rooms were flooded from overflowing showers.
Jim Briggs #31
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Playoffs?
Southampton
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| Outstanding items from previous weeks |
| Caledonian Roughriders
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Caledonian game management is fairly non existent.
No Ball Boys available. Kick-off delayed as Chain Crew not available until 1:10pm.
Field marking were basic which resulted in a score of 89 on the audit.
David Parsons # 425
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Playoffs?
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| Lincoln Colonials
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Where to start?
Pitch was 108 yards long, marked every yard, except they were about 2ft 8in and not 3 ft.
No ten yard marks. Side line has marks did not correspond with hash marks, and so we could not do a measurement.
Home teams had no balls, visiting team lent two. No separate changing room.
In twenty odd years second worst pitch I have encountered.
However, the game was played in great spirit.
Charlie Dean-Young #258
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Playoffs?
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| Greenwich Mariners
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No coaching boxes. No team areas. No limit lines. No inbounds lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks.
Goals were soccer-style with extended uprights.
Game started late due to away team arriving late and ambulance also slightly late.
Officials were asked to change in a small shower room that was just outside the away team's dressing room.
Chain crew were very slow in first half but got better.
The start of the second half was delayed due to the ambulance taking a player to hospital and us having to wait for it to return.
Dan Bridgland #506
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Playoffs?
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| Essex Blades
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Field marked by groundsman too narrow (132ft) despite him getting it correct before Xmas.
Team areas OK, except much narrower than 25 to 25.
Steve Tonkinson #99
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Playoffs?
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| Nottingham Outlaws
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Pitch markings were of poor standard but playable.
Muz Gibson #268
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25/02/07
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ROGER'S RHETORIC
| From last week |
Play:
A's ball, 3rd and 12, on B's 18. A16's legal forward pass is airborne when B34 grabs A88's jersey on B's 13, thus limiting A88's ability to jump for the catchable pass.
Ruling:
A's ball, 1st and 10, on B's 13. Defensive pass interference.
Team A has the option of accepting the penalty for a second foul only when the second foul is a personal foul.
If defensive pass interference is called, then that call supersedes the holding call.
If the pass is not catchable, then the foul would be holding.
If B34's foul was a personal foul, Team A would accept the penalty for the personal foul and decline the penalty for the defensive pass interference foul.
It would be A's ball, 1st and goal, on B's 9.
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| New this week |
A's ball, 2nd and 4, on B's 8. QB A18 hands off to A44 on B's 13. A44 runs to B's 6 near the sideline where B55 hits him causing the ball to come loose. B38 then deflects the bouncing ball and B12 controls the ball while touching the end line.
Ruling?
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