Issue 38/21 3rd November 2021
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS RULE
Rule 13-1-1 sets out the mandatory minimum medical requirements that must be available at a game. Part of the rule states, "Available means inside or immediately outside the stadium and fit for use".
This weekend, a team representative queried whether "immediately outside the stadium" could mean that the medical facilities could be in a neighbouring sports centre. The answer is no - the medical facilities must be at the side of the pitch.
This is a safety-related rule. Our expectation is that the medical personnel are immediately available to respond to any medical incident that occurs.
If anyone has any questions, please let me know.
Jim Briggs - BAFA Rules Editor
rules@britishamericanfootball.org
QUALIFIED - ANDREW MASSEY
Congratulations to Andrew Massey on completing all of the requirements necessary to become Qualified.
Thanks to Jim Briggs and all those who are helping with Andrew's training.
James Ford-Bannister - Director of Training
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Craig Ndip | 66 | UEA Pirates | TUF | 2 | Player committed two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. The first was for shoving an opposition player after the play was over. The second was for taunting the opposition sideline after his team scored a touchdown | 7th November 2021 v Cardiff Cobras | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Christian Butterworth | 50 | Bangor Muddogs | FPF | 4 | With 01:18 remaining in the game, during a Bangor interception return, #50 of the returning team jumped up and headbutted a taller opponent. | 7th November 2021 v Liverpool Raptors | |
James Simpson | n/a | NTU Renegades | REM | Ball person from the home team under rule 9-2-7 for using abusive language towards an opposition player. | 14th November 2021 v Loughborough * As this was a disqualification of a non-player, this is a whole game day suspension. | ||
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Bath Spa Bulldogs | Initially, five-yard lines were not marked. The home team were able to rectify this before kick off. The inbounds short yard line extensions were far too close to each other. No three-yard or nine-yard marks. Down box stake broke, chain crew were replaced at half time after they failed to stop cheering their own team, which antagonised the opposition. Stephen Egan #466 | 21st November 2021 v Worcester Royals |
City Wolfpack | 90-yard field. NFL-width hash marks. Short yard line extensions were marked in metres but main lines in yards. End zones were only seven yards deep. Lee Wood #517 | 30th January 2021 v UEL Phoenix |
Durham Saints | No three-yard marks. Coaching boxes weren't marked up to the ten-yard lines. David Hewitt #607 | 5th December 2021 v Stirling Clansmen |
Edinburgh Predators | Crew was informed of no changing facilities prior to the game, but on arrival were given changing rooms. Game was played in good spirit and the attitude from both teams was exemplary. Gordon Galloway #7 | 28th November 2021 v York Centurions |
Glasgow Tigers | The inbounds and sideline short yard line extensions did not match. Distance between the 45-yard and 50-yard lines on each side was about 4.5 yards. Shawn Sombati #15 | 14th November 2021 v Aberdeen Bulls |
Leeds Beckett Carnegie | Field was marked as a 90-yard field with goal posts on the goal line, so it was shortened to 80-yards to make the goal posts on the end line. Inbounds short yard-line extensions were very faint and will need remarking before the next game at this venue. The hash marks were at an even narrower width than even NFL hash marks. No numbers or nine-yards marks. The home team played in black and the visiting team in Green. In daylight, the two colours could be differentiated, however under floodlights it became more difficult to tell the teams aparts at times. The changing room only had seating for two people and was not large enough for a crew of four. The changing room was not lockable. Ben Griffiths #228 | 14th November 2021 v Durham Saints |
Leicester Longhorns | NFL-width hash marks. Home team balls were not leather and flat, so away team balls used. Pete Thom #200 | 7th November 2021 v Loughborough Students |
Manchester Tyrants | When officials arrived at the venue, the reception desk staff advised that the game would not be going ahead as the field had not been booked and goal posts were not erected. The manager of the venue subsequently spoke to the home team, and it was eventually confirmed that the booking had been made so they were able to use the field, but the goal posts would not be put up. On further inspection, it was noticed that the lines on the field were very faint. You could see them when you were stood on top of them but when you looked across the field, in either direction, they were invisible. There was an attempt to paint the field, but the venue did not give the home team the opportunity to do this. With player safety in mind, the game could not be officiated safely given the nature of the field markings. The Coaches were advised, and the official’s left the ground. Richard McEwen #206 | 14th November v Hallam Warriors |
NFL Academy | Game played as a controlled scrimmage as agreed by both coaches. After three series of ten plays for each team's offense, RHUL had sustained sufficient injuries that they were unable to continue. Tim Ockendon #481 | Unknown |
QMBL Vipers | Well marked 90-yard field in blue. No numbers, nine-yard marks, or limit lines and team areas marked with cones. Dog excrement on the field was removed by Game Management prior to kickoff. Changing room had no private shower or toilet but was otherwise well appointed and lockable. One ball person was provided by the visiting team. Tim Ockendon #481 | 12th December v Essex Blades |
Reading Knights | The game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch two and half hours before the kickoff time. Official’s had set off prior to abandonment. Richard Moger #472 | 28th November 2021 v SGS College Pride |
SGS College Pride | At 13:41, with 5:46 remaining in the second quarter, the game was suspended whilst the medic dealt with a medical emergency in a team area. Due to the severity of the incident, some players elected to not return to the field due to being emotionally compromised. After a delay of an hour, factoring in the players' decision and with the agreement of both head coaches, the game was abandoned. Stuart Tabberer #348 | 7th November 2021 v Southampton Stags |
Sheffield Sabres | No team areas were marked, although teams were disciplined in using other sports markings. No numbers or nine-yard marks. Markings were all in black but clearly contrasted with the field. Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes due to the late arrival of both teams. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 28th November 2021 v Manchester Tyrants |
Sussex Saxons | The blue lines used on the field have faded considerably since the summer, and were sometimes very difficult to see whilst on-field. End line was marked too close to the perimeter fence so another sports line was used. Team areas marked with cones. The changing rooms provided to officials were inadequate so the crew changed in the away team room after they had vacated. Oliver Maskell #221 | 21st November 2021 v Surrey Stingers |
Swansea Titans | Officials had to change in a public changing room due to the usual officials’ changing room being used for a women's soccer match. The public changing room was not lockable but did have lockers available for use. The field was generally well marked out, although the lines were a bit faint. The inbounds and sideline short yard-line extensions were too short - a few inches instead of the regulation 2 feet. Amir Brooks #593 | 14th November 2021 v Cardiff Cobras |
UCLan Rams | 100-yard field with no numbers, nine-yard marks, or team areas marked out. Kickoff was delayed by 15 mins due to previous use of the venue. Both teams warmed up on alternative fields but the away side were slow to migrate to the main field and did not have a roster for the officials upon arrival. Andrew Swift #403 | 23rd January 2021 v Edge Hill Vikings |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: Team A kick off to start the game. B88 makes a fair catch at Team B’s 12-yard line. A30 was offside at the kick. If Team B wish to keep the ball where will the next snap take place?
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Last week | Play: Late in the first half Team A is out of timeouts. A pass play on third down ends inbounds at the B-25 short of the line to gain with the game clock showing 0:10. Facing fourth down and three, Team A immediately hurries its field goal team onto the field. Should the officials prevent the snap to give Team B an opportunity to substitute?
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MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: There is 30 seconds left in the game and the clock is running, both Teams have one timeout remaining. Team A commits a False Start. As this is a potential 10 second run-off; what actions should the Wing officials on a 4 man crew take?
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Last week | Game Situation: On an 8-man crew, what should the Line Judge do on a measurement? Answer: The Line Judge should move quickly to a position on the appropriate yard line to indicate where the Linesman should place the clip in order to make an accurate measurement (i.e. in a precise north-south line with the ball). There is no need for the Line Judge to put his foot on the chain. (M18.8 & M18.11). |
Date | Event | Contact for details |
2nd - 3rd April (Sat-Sun) | BAFRA Convention | |
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Richard Moger | ||
Finance | Stuart Tabberer | Operations | Roger Goodgroves | ||
Recruitment | Susannah Taylor | Training | James Ford-Bannister | ||
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.info. Deadline for articles submitted by email (newsflash@bafra.info) is midnight Tuesday. |
