Celebrations

A question was raised about a player diving into the EZ on a score. While technically a foul the league has requested through player comments that we relax in someway players celebrating good achievements. While we do not condone the player diving into the EZ it was in an act of celebration, which everyone wants to see, and that no opponent reacted to the players action. This was a good indication that no opponent felt disrespected by the scoring players actions.
While this time there was no flag the judgment of the official on the spot depending on reactions of players will determine if an USC penalty has occurred.
A couple of other examples of celebrating without drawing a flag is to raise your hand in the air pointing to the sky or to give a loud 'yell' in acknowledgment of a good play, eg a sack, but the player is not to be facing and directing his actions towards his opponent on the field or sideline. Towards the crowd or team mates would be deemed acceptable. It is also acceptable to get other team mates into a celebration after a score but on sacks it may not be acceptable to have a large group near a QB celebrating a few metres away.
One type of celebration that will not be tolerated on a score or interception is when a ball is held out taunting an opponent or it is thrown towards an opponent baiting them into a response. This will draw a penalty flag on every occasion.
In summary it is ok to celebrate your achievements as long as it is done in a respectful manner in which your opponents will view. SAGOA will continue to monitor the slight relaxing of the rule but the rules listed in Rule 9 have not been modified by GASA at this stage. Rather the Board has taken on a responsibility to acknowledge our game is different to the actual college games in USA and that celebrations are a way to entertain the crowd and allow players to enjoy the game.
Before next season we may put forward to GASA a modified Rule 9 on celebrations to allow the suggested scenarios above.

Grant Martin