Issue 12/24 11th April 2024
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR 2024
A few reminders of things I said at the Convention and for the benefit of those who weren't there.
The 2024 BAFA rulebook (https://rules.bafra.info/rulebook/bafa2024/index.htm) is now in full force.
The full list of rule changes is online at https://www.bafra.info/rules/docs/2024/BAFA/BAFA%20rule%20changes%202024.pdf but there was one I omitted to mention on Saturday. Rule 1-4-8-d now allows an official to charge a timeout to a team when a player fails to respond to an instruction to leave the field because of an equipment problem. The rule says tell them twice (in the same dead-ball interval) and then stop the clock if they don't respond appropriately.
Note that the medical requirements have increased in two respects:
The competition regulation about minimum numbers of players and coaches at kickoff time has changed slightly for 7v7 and 5v5 football. The numbers are as follows:
Once the game has kicked off, the numbers drop to N (the number of players per side) and 1.
Otherwise, none of the league regulations has changed this year (i.e. those where the rules allow the league to specify how a game should proceed in certain circumstances). The full list at http://rules.bafra.info/docs/leagueregs.htm is up-to-date as is the list at https://rules.bafra.info/docs/smallleagueregs.htm for small-sided competitions.
A new rule (1-2-1-a-3) imposes a minimum length of field for Premier Division games. The game will not take place if the distance between the goal lines is less than 90 yards. However, teams may apply for an exemption. So far this season, one exemption has been granted to Manchester Titans (for 2024 only). Changes to the list will be notified in Newsflash and recorded at https://rules.bafra.info/docs/authorisations.htm.The same process will apply for teams whose setup has been approved for sideline replay - none have as yet.
The videos from my "Disqualifications" session can be found on YouTube at this link.
If you have any questions about any of the above, please let me know.
Jim Briggs - Chair, BAFA Rules Committee
rules@britishamericanfootball.org
BAFRA CHARITY 2024
During the Convention weekend it was decided that Alzheimer’s Society will be the 2024 BAFRA Charity, in addition the BAFRA Charity weekend was confirmed as the weekend of 20th/21st July, more details will follow in the run up to this weekend.
Richard Moger – General Secretary
NEW RULE BOOKS
This is to advise that all members who were not at the Convention have had their new 2024 rule book sent to them through the post. If you have not received yours by the start of the week beginning 14th April please let me know.
Richard Moger – General Secretary
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
William Elliot | 11 | Bristol Aztecs | TUF | 4 | With 6:24 remaining in fourth quarter, #11 committed a second Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul. | 21st April 2024 v Cambridgeshire Cats | |
Kieran Sands | 95 | Sussex Thunder | FGT | 3 | With 0:45 remaining in the third quarter, #95 was witnessed to throw a punch at an opponent. This was a dead ball act after the end of the play. | 14th April 2024 v Essex Tridents | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
NFL Academy | No marked coaching box. There was a line from other markings at approximately the correct distance from the team area which was used, but it did not explicitly limit the area at the 20 yard lines. The Changing room was not lockable and a fair walk from the field in the soccer stadium stand. Note that parking at Holywell Sports Center is chargeable using the APCOA app. | Unknown |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play of the Week Will Return when the Exam Period has concluded |
Last week | Play: Inside the last minute of the first half. Team B are trailing. 1st & 10 at Team B's 20-yard line. A25 receives a handoff in the backfield and runs to Team B's 23-yard line where he throws a backwards pass to A9 who is running a reverse. The pass sails high which causes A9 to jump up at Team B's 27-yard line where he bats the ball forwards. The ball lands a few yards in front of A9 where B65 muffs the ball and it rolls across the sideline at Team B's 21-yard line. What is the next down, where will the ball next be snapped from? What Clock options do Team B have? Ruling: The next down will be 1st down and will be snapped from Team B's 37-yard line. A9’s bat is illegal (9-4-2) and enforced as a basic spot foul (10-2-2-b, 10-2-2-c-1). This is a backward pass and not a fumble so the game clock will start on the snap (3-3-2-d-2). There is no runoff option as the backward pass was not to conserve time. |
MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Play of the Week Will Return when the Exam Period has concluded |
Last week | Game Situation: 1st and 10 on the A40. Quarterback A3 throws a legal forward pass to A88 on the B-45. A88 rises to catch the ball and falls to the ground holding the ball. On a 4 man crew, the only official with a view of the catch is the Linejudge. As A88 comes to the ground the Linejudge can see that the player has possession of the ball until he hits the ground. The ball then disappears from the Linejudge's view as A88 contacts the ground heavily. A88 then gets up and is holding the ball. Ruling? Answer: Although officials must make use of positive knowledge, there will always be situations when there is doubt over a call. If there is doubt over whether the ball touched the ground during a catch, then the ball is ruled to have not touched the ground (M6.1.2) In this case the Linejudge should seek input from the other officials, though if all their views are blocked must make use of 'in doubt' principles. Since all the conditions of a legal catch have been met in this instance, the Linejudge should award the catch. A's ball, 1st and 10 on the B45. This situation highlights the importance of the Umpire and wing officials all having a view on a catch on a 4 man crew. |
Date | Event | Contact for details |
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Richard Moger | ||
Finance | Stuart Tabberer | Operations | Oliver Maskell | ||
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. |
