BAFRA Newsflash 17/07

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ISSUE 17/07	7 May 2007

DISCIPLINARY CASES

6^th May 2007

Name	#	Team	Code	Q	Offence	Suspended
None
From previous weeks
Brian Long	76	Doncaster Mustangs	FPF		While the ball was dead, he forcibly threw an opponent to the ground, head first.	13/05/07 vs. West Coast Trojans

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

6^th May 2007

Home team	Report	Next home game
Chiltern Cheetahs	Path in end zone nearest the car park covered up with blue mat. As this was bisecting the side and end lines we declared this area out of bounds and informed both coaches prior to the game. Metal fence post, just 6 feet out of bounds on the opposite side of the end zone nearest the car park. As the ground tailed away in a downhill slope just after the end line we got this fully padded to 6 feet high by game management as this was deemed a potential hazard. Brambles and bushes growing just outside the end line (less than 1 inch away ) of the end zone furthest from car park. Due to the hazard that this could have posed to players/officials we notified both coaches before the game that we would play towards the end zone nearest the car park for the entire game. Athletic running track lanes (not white) crossing diagonally around the 15 to 25 yard lines (furthest away from car park) caused an interesting optical illusion that took extra work from the entire crew to ensure the ball was being spotted correctly, plus complaints from players that opponents appeared to be offside due to how the lines crossed each other. The game did not kick off until 30 minutes after the scheduled kickoff time of 14:30. This was due to the away team arriving at the ground late as they had been held up by an accident forcing closure of the M4 that they could not avoid, thus this was deemed beyond their control. The changing rooms provided for the officials were completely unacceptable. We were provided with two toilets in which to change. We did however find an empty sports hall within the building that we used as our changing room instead. Despite all the problems noted above, game management and both coaches/teams worked with us to ensure that we were able to have a good game, and we have been assured by game management that they will rectify the problem with the brambles and bushes at the far end of the field in time for their next home game. Phil Clarke #372	27/5/07 vs. Essex Spartans
Glasgow Tigers	Only one goalpost. Field surface very uneven. Some holes required filling. Henry Richardson #358	3/6/07 vs. Dundee Hurricanes
From previous weeks
East Midlands Saxons	No numbers or 9 yard marks. Incorrectly marked end zone rectified before the game. No hash marks between one goal line and the 5 yard line. Brian Yates #29	13/05/07 vs. Cambridgeshire Cats

Availability

We had 19 officials unavailable last weekend (6^th May) – 8 of them dropped out at short notice. Guys, if this continues, we will not be able to continue to cover all the games each weekend. We all know that sometimes emergency situations arise that cause us to drop out, but please don't do it unless you really, really have to – you're stressing the scheduler out!

Thanks to all the officials who agreed to shuffle onto other crews to cover. You're stars!

BAFRA 2007 Exam

Well the exam is now closed and everyone should receive their marks by the weekend. If you don’t, let me know.

Paul Sutton, Examination Committee Chair, has provided me with some great analysis based on results over the last 4 or 5 years. I will include them in next week's Newsflash as they highlight some really positive trends.

As we all know there is a lot of time and effort required in putting an exam together. It then has to be tested, amended, printed, issued, completed papers collected, papers marked and results issued. As such, I’m sure everyone would join me in thanking the Committee, namely Paul Sutton, Will Marriage, Robert Friel, Tzvi Lindeman and Keith Wickham for all their hard work and commitment over the last 6 months. Well done guys.

Davie Parsons
training@bafra.org

Elite programme

Now that the exam is over and we have the results, the Selection Committee will be considering applications to the Elite Programme.

The minimum requirement for new and existing members will normally be:

· three years continued active membership

· a score of at least 80% on this year's exam

· agree to attend at least 1 Elite Programme training event during the year

If you wish to join and believe you meet the minimum requirements then please send your CV to selection@bafra.org.

There is no need for existing Elite Programme members to re-apply, though the Committee will be considering the continued involvement of those members who do not meet the minimum requirements.

Pete Thom
operations@bafra.org

Get well soon

A get well soon to Gordon Galloway who had his foot trodden on by a Lincolnshire Bomber the weekend before last, cracking a bone and damaging the muscle. He expects to be out for about 3 weeks.

By the way, I think an injured official justifies making an incident report. I heard about this through the BAFL forum. I would prefer to hear news like that direct!

Jim.
president@bafra.org

Jim's Jottings

An official with two flakes asks:

In my game last week, following a team timeout, the defense were tardy in coming back from the sideline despite my crew yelling to them 10 secs, 5 secs. The QB hurried his offense hurried to the line of scrimmage telling them they were going to get an unopposed play, and were ready to snap the ball. My Umpire signalled me the timeout had expired and to blow the ball ready, and began retreating to his normal position 5-7yds deep. I could see the defense only just beginning to break from their sideline huddle, so I moved from my normal position, stood over the ball to prevent the centre snapping it, blew the ball ready then instantly blew it dead again and threw my flag for delay of game on the defense.

This is the first time in my 22 year officiating career I have thrown a delay on the defense. I am pretty sure that it was the correct call to make, rather than letting the offense have an unopposed play. I am less sure of what the crew mechanics should be in such a situation as I have never really considered it before. I am happy we did all we could (short of my wingman physically dragging them back out) to get the defense back on the field, but less sure of the mechanics of the Referee and Umpire. Should the Umpire have stayed over the ball? I moved up to ensure it wasn't snapped. Ought I to have done my thing from my normal position?

Correct call: delay of game against Team B.

Mechanics-wise, after a stoppage in play the Umpire should stay over the ball until all of the following conditions are met:

1. The reason for the stoppage has ended, e.g.:

a) The 1'05 (or 35") of the timeout has ended (or both teams are obviously ready)

b) The Referee has completed his penalty announcements

c) The injured player is clear of the field

d) The chains are back at the sideline after a measurement

2. The down box is at the succeeding spot (or virtually there).

3. The defense is ready (i.e. on the field and roughly in a formation) – this includes giving the defense the opportunity to make matching substitutions if Team A makes substitutions and rushes quickly to the line of scrimmage.

4. All the officials are in position for the next down and facing the ball.

5. The Referee looks prepared to declare the ready for play (convey that by making eye contact with the Umpire or by saying "we're ready").

Numbers 2 to 5 should really apply after every play.

Generally, it is not necessary for the Umpire to stay over the ball until:

1. The actual ready for play

2. The offense breaks its huddle

If you have a play situation you weren't sure about, and are happy to see it discussed in Newsflash, please email me the details at rules@bafra.org.

This week's Newsflash

This week's Newsflash was a Jim production. Roger will be back from his holiday in two weeks.