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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 15/16 |
14th April 2016 |
RULES AND MECHANICS UPDATE
Two points of clarification that arose at the Convention at the weekend.
Firstly, if you stop the clock to administer an illegal equipment or failure to wear mandatory equipment issue (Rule 1-4-8), then Rule 3-3-2-d-7 decrees that the clock will start on the snap.
On rare occasions, invoking this rule in the last couple of minutes of a half may give one team or the other a timing advantage because the clock had to be stopped. This should be addressed by treating the equipment issue like a helmet-off situation and applying a 10-second runoff if necessary. Failing that, the referee may invoke Rule 3-4-3 to deal with any clock unfairness. Of course, no advantage can be gained by either team if the officials use good judgement in choosing when to apply the equipment rules - only flagrant issues should be addressed in the closing stages of a game or half.
Secondly, just to reiterate that the mechanics to be used in the 2016 season are those in the Manual of Football Officiating, 16th edition (www.myiafoa.org). This is only an update to the 15th edition, a copy of which everyone has. The changes are listed at http://www.myiafoa.org/mechanics/mofo16/changes.pdf and mainly consist of things we discussed prior to the 2015 season. The manual is free of charge to download as a PDF, or you can order a printed copy yourself for about £5 plus postage. See http://www.myiafoa.org/mechanics/printedmofo.html for details of how to order.
If anyone has any questions, let me know asap.
Jim Briggs
rules@britishamericanfootball.org
LEAGUE REGULATIONS
With the new season about to start, BAFA NL have confirmed that there are no significant changes this year to the rules they have options over. There is no option for video replay of disqualifications at half time. The running clock rule will only apply in the second half of games.
The senior league will continue to play 15-minute quarters (though remember it's 10 minutes in 9-on-9 junior games) and that there are NO extra periods if a regular season game ends in a tie. See http://rules.bafra.org/rules/docs/leagueregs.htm for details. The document also specifies the age limits for each competition.
Good luck to everyone for the forthcoming season. As always, if you have any rule interpretations to ask about, feel free to email me at the address below.
Jim Briggs
rules@britishamericanfootball.org
2016 EXAM
This is now available in the member’s area of the website. The closing is 7th May at 5:00pm.
If you have any queries, a special e-mail address, exam2016@bafra.org has been set up and will remain live throughout the exam period. Alternatively, the rubric also contains phone numbers of Exam Committee members you can contact with your queries.
Just to clarify, for the purposes of the exam the Mechanics Manual to be used is the15th edition. Every member should have a copy, it can also be accessed from the members section on the BAFRA website
Les Connor – Chair of Examination Committee
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME |
# |
TEAM |
CODE |
Q |
OFFENCE |
SUSPENDED |
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New this week |
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Declan Evans |
16 |
Sandwell Steelers |
FUC |
2 |
After the final play of the first half, the player protested that he had been held. When told there was no foul, the player used abusive language towards the calling official. |
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Miles Hillier |
28 |
Bristol Apache |
FPF |
4 |
Two players faced up to each other after an Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul by a Torbay player number. #28 of Bristol Apache was seen to shove the opponent and then throw a punch. |
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Previous weeks – none |
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GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM |
REPORT |
NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week – none |
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Yorkshire Rams |
No limit lines. Dan Holt #371 |
22/05/16 v Manchester Titans |
Sandwell Steelers |
Chain crew changed 3 times, otherwise excellent game management. Goals located about 2 yards further back from end line. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 |
17/04/16 v Birmingham Bulls |
East Kent Mavericks |
Well marked 90-yard 4G field in blue with other sport markings in white and yellow. No numbers or 9-yard marks and coaching line too close to sideline. Game balls supplied were all under inflated and both of the stakes securing the chain broke towards the end of the game but game management were able to affect repairs. Changing room good but not lockable. Tim Ockendon #481 |
24/04/16 v Portsmouth Dreadnaughts |
Crewe Railroaders |
Markings for soccer pitch visible in same colour as football field, inaccurate markings from 10 Yard to Goal Line in one direction of the field. Mike Cavanagh #465 |
15/05/16 v Chester Romans |
Chester Romans |
Marks were painted bright red with the exception of the endline which was white. White rugby markings also on field. Aminul Hasan #534 |
01/05/16 v Halton Spartans |
Keele Crusaders |
The game was played on Keele's campus on a 90 yard field marked using IFAF yards. The field was generally very well marked, however the hashmarks were marked to the NFL's width and team areas were absent. Paul Todd #289 |
Unknown |
London Hornets |
Game played at London Hornets' new home ground at Mill Hill RFC, Champions Way. Team areas between 25-yard lines, but no coaching line. Game stopped twice, briefly, to repair the chain set. Field quite soft and bumpy. One bare patch in the middle of the halfway line that had been covered over with extremely soft soil. Footing here was difficult, but not a trip hazard. No private shower or toilet. Changing room just about big enough for 4 officials, but does contain two washing machines. Car parking space is very limited; would recommend that if officials drive, they arrive at least 1hr 45min before kickoff, and be careful not to park anywhere that they might get blocked in by other cars. Alan Dobson #308 |
24/04/16 v Essex Spartans |
Oxford Saints |
Nine yard marks were marked near the hashmarks. No numbers on the field. Changing room was too small for a five man crew and not enough seats for all officials. Mike LeFevre #341 |
03/07/16 v Bristol Apache |
Outstanding items from previous weeks |
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Bristol Apache |
Field is excellently marked. Unfortunately in a very dark faint colour. Impossible to see markings when looking across the field. Balls provided were old and struggled to maintain legal pressure. Stuart Tabberer #348 |
24/04/16 v Oxford Saints |
Play of the week will return after the BAFRA exam period.
Date |
Event |
Contact for details |
2016 |
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May 7th (Sat) |
BAFRA Board Meeting |
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July 23rd (Sat) |
BAFRA Board Meeting |
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August 27th (Sat) |
Britbowl |
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19th November (Sat) |
BAFRA Board Meeting |
BAFRA Directors |
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President |
David Parsons |
General Secretary |
Paul Sutton |
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Finance |
Chalies Dean Young |
Operations |
Richard Vernon |
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Recruitment |
Kevin Stanton |
Training |
Pete Thom |
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Director without Portfolio #1 |
Peter Parsons |
Director without Portfolio #2 |
Steve Tonkinson |
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