Thanks to all of those who have visited this site over the past month with a large number visiting after the first week of games and some people checking every couple of days. I hope this becomes a valuable tool for all parties to learn from over the season.
While many people still disagree with decisions on the field this is a great spot to follow up those concerns. Please comment or email us at training@sagoa.info with your question.
All the best for week 2 of games, especially for the Spartans with their first appearance this season.
Grant Martin
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The role of the captain?
There have been consistent misunderstandings in the recent past on the role of the onfield captains, in particular with regard to interactions with officials. Going to the rulebook, Rule 1, Section 1, Article 5 says:
The first point that comes from this is that multiple players gathered around an official all talking at once is unacceptable. This is unfair to the official but also does the team a disservice in that inconsistent comments can be made due to multiple people being involved.
Secondly, when we're talking about dealings with officials here the implication is that the officials are determining the interaction, not the players/captains. The captains, just like the other players, coaches and all team participants must still comply with Rule 9.2.1 regarding inappropriate language and gestures.
Where the prevalent idea that "I'm a captain so I get to say what I want to the officials" comes from is unknown. Requests from a captain for an official to watch particular opposition actions, when done calmly and reasonably, are generally appropriate. Comments such as "Are you blind?" are not appropriate whether coming from a captain or not!
In The Football Code at the start of the rulebook, there is a section on Talking to Officials which states:
I am not aware of a situation where a captain's complaint about a call has ever resulted in the call being overturned. No-one should expect that any official is going to be perfect - we are all only human. There is the procedure of the coaches conference if a head coach wishes to challenge the enforcement of a penalty. Clubs are welcome to submit game reports if they wish to cover things in more detail. These reports may be reproduced in part or full on this blog as we attempt to respond to them in an open and transparent manner.
Rest assured that SAGOA and other officiating groups do review games and our decisions in them. We train to make sure we are in the best position to make the correct call on every play. Much like coaches and players, we are annoyed at ourselves when we get it wrong and work hard to improve our knowledge and abilities for future contests.
Regards
Simon Pollitt
Each team shall designate to the referee no more than four players as its field captain(s), and one player at a time shall speak for his team in all dealings with the officials. There shall be no more than four captains from each team at the coin toss.
The first point that comes from this is that multiple players gathered around an official all talking at once is unacceptable. This is unfair to the official but also does the team a disservice in that inconsistent comments can be made due to multiple people being involved.
Secondly, when we're talking about dealings with officials here the implication is that the officials are determining the interaction, not the players/captains. The captains, just like the other players, coaches and all team participants must still comply with Rule 9.2.1 regarding inappropriate language and gestures.
Where the prevalent idea that "I'm a captain so I get to say what I want to the officials" comes from is unknown. Requests from a captain for an official to watch particular opposition actions, when done calmly and reasonably, are generally appropriate. Comments such as "Are you blind?" are not appropriate whether coming from a captain or not!
In The Football Code at the start of the rulebook, there is a section on Talking to Officials which states:
When an official imposes a penalty or makes a decision, he simply is doing his duty as he sees it. He is on the field to uphold the integrity of the game of football, and his decisions are final and conclusive and should be accepted by players and coaches.
I am not aware of a situation where a captain's complaint about a call has ever resulted in the call being overturned. No-one should expect that any official is going to be perfect - we are all only human. There is the procedure of the coaches conference if a head coach wishes to challenge the enforcement of a penalty. Clubs are welcome to submit game reports if they wish to cover things in more detail. These reports may be reproduced in part or full on this blog as we attempt to respond to them in an open and transparent manner.
Rest assured that SAGOA and other officiating groups do review games and our decisions in them. We train to make sure we are in the best position to make the correct call on every play. Much like coaches and players, we are annoyed at ourselves when we get it wrong and work hard to improve our knowledge and abilities for future contests.
Regards
Simon Pollitt
Sunday, October 21, 2007
GASA Season Week 1
Welcome to updates on rules and interpretations and possible corrections on rulings and penalties for GASA Senior games 2007/08. Where people ask for consistency on rulings throughout a season SAGOA always reviews many of its interpretations and passes this information onto clubs via this blog site. Sometimes some interpretations need refining as we wouldn't want to continue with an incorrect ruling just to stay with consistency.
Feedback to this is welcome if you believe something is still incorrect but please state your position and qualification so that we know who we are actually learning from. Even if you are a player, coach or fan your input is most welcome and we will certainly do our best to look into your questions and concerns from GASA games. Please take the time to fill in the poll.
I hope you all enjoyed the games and that you look forward to an entertaining season.
Now while this post is a long one I hope I have covered what I need to and that the information is as correct as possible.
Chop Blocks
Players come up to an official and say that they are being chop blocked. This is legal but then there are aspects that are illegal. Here is the rule about Chop Blocks:
Rule 2-3-3-a, b, c: A chop block is:
a. An obviously delayed block at the thigh or below against an opponent (except the runner)
who is in contact with a teammate of the blocker, is in the act of disengaging from the first
blocker or has just disengaged from the first blocker but is still confronting him. When in
question, the contact is at the thigh or below
b. A high-low, low-high or low-low combination block by two nonadjacent linemen with or
without a delay between contacts occurring in the neutral zone.
c. A high-low, low-high or low-low combination block by any two offensive players with or
without a delay between contacts when the initial contact clearly occurs beyond the neutral zone
Rule 9-1-2-e-1: Offensive linemen at the snap positioned more than seven yards from
the middle lineman of the offensive formation are prohibited from blocking below the
waist toward the original position of the ball in or behind the neutral zone and within 10
yards beyond the neutral zone.
See the link below for a detailed chart on this:
http://www.sagoa.info/training/2007/Chop_block_table.doc
We had in the first game a team mention this type of block a number of times but when viewed by officials before and after the fact the blocks were high/low blocks by adjacent linemen without delay. In viewing the chart from the document this is not a foul.
Kick off
New to NCAA rules is having a 25 secs clock for kick offs. The Referee will blow the ready for play as if it is any other regular play. This means that the kicking team no longer have to wait for a whistle just prior to kickoff. The way this works is that when the umpire hands the ball to the kicker or when the ball is placed at the kicking spot the officials will check off that the field is clear and ready for play. The teams need to make sure they have the correct number of players and be in a position to be ready for a kickoff. If the receiving team is slow in getting organised they too can be penalised for a delay of game. The umpire should stand over the ball until the receiving team is in position ready.
Procedural fouls on a kickoff can be penalised on the end of the run. The officials encourage captains to take this option. In game 1 a captain yelled out his choice to the referee before the referee had the chance to formally ask. It would be better to actually wait for the options from the referee and to look at what best advantages the team and the safety of players. The second kickoff actually travelled further than the first one which went out of bounds, it would be a risky choice if the player who returns the ball then muffs or fumbles the kickoff. A sure choice would be to take the ball out of bounds, add 5 yards from where the ball went out up to the 35 or the 35 yard line which ever is the better option.
Fair Catch and Kick Catch Interference
Last night we had a player call for a fair catch. Not often we have one of those. Fair catch or not the person trying to get to the fall of the ball to make the catch from a kick needs an unimpeded opportunity to catch a kick. If a fair catch is called the player needs every opportunity to complete the catch before the ball hits the ground even if it has bounced off his hands.
We had a fair catch, a player making contact with the receiver, a muff and then the ball bouncing on the ground where the player then ran off with the ball.
There was a flag for kick catch interference and one where he advanced after the muff or the ball striking the ground. At this point as soon as any of the receivers recovered the ball the play should have stopped right then.
The enforcement spot of the kick catch interference should have occurred at the spot of the foul and not where eventually recovered. This is where a coach can call a conference to challenge the enforcement of the penalty.
So one for us to now get right in the future if it ever happens again.
Handing the ball to an official
The officials try hard to keep the balls dry during the game but each time the player drops the ball onto the ground it does get wet and at times soaking wet. If a player does this and it is in the centre of the field the officials can decline a request for a dry ball. They may consider a request close to a sideline but it is not guaranteed. It is up to the team to keep the ball dry. The officials will try to get a dry ball in when rotating balls according to the play situation. The basics of this are if a ball finishes between the numbers then use the same ball. If the ball finishes outside the numbers or out of bounds then a new ball from the ball person will be put into play. A ball that is thrown short but is wet from an incomplete pass may be changed depending on how wet it became. So please ensure your team mates do the right thing leave it on the ground where the play ended or hand it to the nearest official that you can see.
Drink Breaks
Having a drink during a series of downs has been something that the officials have managed on the field with the players, especially hot days. We have observed that the squads are large in size and having a drink will need to be something that the team needs to manage while players can substitute on and off the field. If the squad reduces to a size where players are forced to play both ways the officials will manage it as they have done so on the field previously. There won't be a magic cut off number but rather the officials will monitor it on the day. The Head Coach may wish to bring it up during the pregame conference if the team is getting low on numbers.
Personal Fouls
We had 2 dead ball personal fouls administered at the end of one play. There was some pushing and shoving and stepping into the altercation by both players rather than one or both of them walking away.
The play stood and the penalties administered back to where the play ended. The penalties do not offset but are marched off. When defense commit a personal foul they also give the offense an automatic first down. On the weekend the offense were not given the automatic first down. Again something to call a coaches conference on how to enforce something and if successful no team time out will be charged.
Talking to an Official
We had an unfortunate incident where a player/captain moved towards an official and pointed his finger towards him and yelling at him about missing a penalty on a particular play. Under the football code players/captains and coaches accept certain responsibilities. Players, coaches and captains do not have a right to speak to officials in a manner that intimidates or causes undue stress while officiating on the field of play. SAGOA has a Safe Sports Policy and one of the aims is to provide a safe work environment for officials. Although sports involve heated emotions it is the choice of the participant which behaviours they display on the ground. It is not the fault of the official that made you display a certain behaviour, whether good or bad. I cannot recall any teams coming up and showing jubilation to an official and thanking them for the TD they just scored?
At the beginning of the rule book is the Football Code. A sub section of this is outlined below:
Talking to Officials
When an official imposes a penalty or makes a decision, he simply is doing his duty as he sees it. He is on the field to uphold the integrity of the game of football, and his decisions are final and conclusive and should be accepted by players and coaches.
This was not the only time a player/captain questioned a call but once an official has answered the particular question then the matter is closed and the same question should not be asked a second or third time as his decision is final. In fact the rule book mentions communication between officials and captains for time outs, penalties, options for coin toss and as a communicator between officials and his head coach. Captains do not have the right to come in and question everything and in fact continued opposition to call/no calls may result in unsportsmanlike conduct.
Please remember that SAGOA has 2 new officials this year and that they should have a little more latitude to deciding what is a penalty or not. They have to develop judgment of and decide which rule has been broken in a matter of seconds. This is not an easy task for new officials to do. Coaches were informed of the fact that new officials were in the second game, their positions and captains should have had the information passed onto them.
Please remember what each of our roles are out there on the field and that is coaches coach, players play, officials officiate and spectators get entertained. It is hard enough to do one of these well let alone 2 or more.
Until next post or next game (2 weeks.)
Regards
Grant Martin
Feedback to this is welcome if you believe something is still incorrect but please state your position and qualification so that we know who we are actually learning from. Even if you are a player, coach or fan your input is most welcome and we will certainly do our best to look into your questions and concerns from GASA games. Please take the time to fill in the poll.
I hope you all enjoyed the games and that you look forward to an entertaining season.
Now while this post is a long one I hope I have covered what I need to and that the information is as correct as possible.
Chop Blocks
Players come up to an official and say that they are being chop blocked. This is legal but then there are aspects that are illegal. Here is the rule about Chop Blocks:
Rule 2-3-3-a, b, c: A chop block is:
a. An obviously delayed block at the thigh or below against an opponent (except the runner)
who is in contact with a teammate of the blocker, is in the act of disengaging from the first
blocker or has just disengaged from the first blocker but is still confronting him. When in
question, the contact is at the thigh or below
b. A high-low, low-high or low-low combination block by two nonadjacent linemen with or
without a delay between contacts occurring in the neutral zone.
c. A high-low, low-high or low-low combination block by any two offensive players with or
without a delay between contacts when the initial contact clearly occurs beyond the neutral zone
Rule 9-1-2-e-1: Offensive linemen at the snap positioned more than seven yards from
the middle lineman of the offensive formation are prohibited from blocking below the
waist toward the original position of the ball in or behind the neutral zone and within 10
yards beyond the neutral zone.
See the link below for a detailed chart on this:
http://www.sagoa.info/training/2007/Chop_block_table.doc
We had in the first game a team mention this type of block a number of times but when viewed by officials before and after the fact the blocks were high/low blocks by adjacent linemen without delay. In viewing the chart from the document this is not a foul.
Kick off
New to NCAA rules is having a 25 secs clock for kick offs. The Referee will blow the ready for play as if it is any other regular play. This means that the kicking team no longer have to wait for a whistle just prior to kickoff. The way this works is that when the umpire hands the ball to the kicker or when the ball is placed at the kicking spot the officials will check off that the field is clear and ready for play. The teams need to make sure they have the correct number of players and be in a position to be ready for a kickoff. If the receiving team is slow in getting organised they too can be penalised for a delay of game. The umpire should stand over the ball until the receiving team is in position ready.
Procedural fouls on a kickoff can be penalised on the end of the run. The officials encourage captains to take this option. In game 1 a captain yelled out his choice to the referee before the referee had the chance to formally ask. It would be better to actually wait for the options from the referee and to look at what best advantages the team and the safety of players. The second kickoff actually travelled further than the first one which went out of bounds, it would be a risky choice if the player who returns the ball then muffs or fumbles the kickoff. A sure choice would be to take the ball out of bounds, add 5 yards from where the ball went out up to the 35 or the 35 yard line which ever is the better option.
Fair Catch and Kick Catch Interference
Last night we had a player call for a fair catch. Not often we have one of those. Fair catch or not the person trying to get to the fall of the ball to make the catch from a kick needs an unimpeded opportunity to catch a kick. If a fair catch is called the player needs every opportunity to complete the catch before the ball hits the ground even if it has bounced off his hands.
We had a fair catch, a player making contact with the receiver, a muff and then the ball bouncing on the ground where the player then ran off with the ball.
There was a flag for kick catch interference and one where he advanced after the muff or the ball striking the ground. At this point as soon as any of the receivers recovered the ball the play should have stopped right then.
The enforcement spot of the kick catch interference should have occurred at the spot of the foul and not where eventually recovered. This is where a coach can call a conference to challenge the enforcement of the penalty.
So one for us to now get right in the future if it ever happens again.
Handing the ball to an official
The officials try hard to keep the balls dry during the game but each time the player drops the ball onto the ground it does get wet and at times soaking wet. If a player does this and it is in the centre of the field the officials can decline a request for a dry ball. They may consider a request close to a sideline but it is not guaranteed. It is up to the team to keep the ball dry. The officials will try to get a dry ball in when rotating balls according to the play situation. The basics of this are if a ball finishes between the numbers then use the same ball. If the ball finishes outside the numbers or out of bounds then a new ball from the ball person will be put into play. A ball that is thrown short but is wet from an incomplete pass may be changed depending on how wet it became. So please ensure your team mates do the right thing leave it on the ground where the play ended or hand it to the nearest official that you can see.
Drink Breaks
Having a drink during a series of downs has been something that the officials have managed on the field with the players, especially hot days. We have observed that the squads are large in size and having a drink will need to be something that the team needs to manage while players can substitute on and off the field. If the squad reduces to a size where players are forced to play both ways the officials will manage it as they have done so on the field previously. There won't be a magic cut off number but rather the officials will monitor it on the day. The Head Coach may wish to bring it up during the pregame conference if the team is getting low on numbers.
Personal Fouls
We had 2 dead ball personal fouls administered at the end of one play. There was some pushing and shoving and stepping into the altercation by both players rather than one or both of them walking away.
The play stood and the penalties administered back to where the play ended. The penalties do not offset but are marched off. When defense commit a personal foul they also give the offense an automatic first down. On the weekend the offense were not given the automatic first down. Again something to call a coaches conference on how to enforce something and if successful no team time out will be charged.
Talking to an Official
We had an unfortunate incident where a player/captain moved towards an official and pointed his finger towards him and yelling at him about missing a penalty on a particular play. Under the football code players/captains and coaches accept certain responsibilities. Players, coaches and captains do not have a right to speak to officials in a manner that intimidates or causes undue stress while officiating on the field of play. SAGOA has a Safe Sports Policy and one of the aims is to provide a safe work environment for officials. Although sports involve heated emotions it is the choice of the participant which behaviours they display on the ground. It is not the fault of the official that made you display a certain behaviour, whether good or bad. I cannot recall any teams coming up and showing jubilation to an official and thanking them for the TD they just scored?
At the beginning of the rule book is the Football Code. A sub section of this is outlined below:
Talking to Officials
When an official imposes a penalty or makes a decision, he simply is doing his duty as he sees it. He is on the field to uphold the integrity of the game of football, and his decisions are final and conclusive and should be accepted by players and coaches.
This was not the only time a player/captain questioned a call but once an official has answered the particular question then the matter is closed and the same question should not be asked a second or third time as his decision is final. In fact the rule book mentions communication between officials and captains for time outs, penalties, options for coin toss and as a communicator between officials and his head coach. Captains do not have the right to come in and question everything and in fact continued opposition to call/no calls may result in unsportsmanlike conduct.
Please remember that SAGOA has 2 new officials this year and that they should have a little more latitude to deciding what is a penalty or not. They have to develop judgment of and decide which rule has been broken in a matter of seconds. This is not an easy task for new officials to do. Coaches were informed of the fact that new officials were in the second game, their positions and captains should have had the information passed onto them.
Please remember what each of our roles are out there on the field and that is coaches coach, players play, officials officiate and spectators get entertained. It is hard enough to do one of these well let alone 2 or more.
Until next post or next game (2 weeks.)
Regards
Grant Martin
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
SAGOA Web Site
The SAGOA web site has been updated with the training presentations as at 8.30pm tonight.
Regards
Grant Martin
Coordinator of Officials
Regards
Grant Martin
Coordinator of Officials
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Officiating Tips
Well done to those who showed up Sunday for the final day of training before the first round of matches. I hope you found day 2 just as exciting and informative and helps you ready for the upcoming season which will start with a bang in 1 weeks time.
Please check here and the SAGOA web site each week for updates and let me know through email what your weekly availability is so that I can record this and create balanced crews.
The BLOG will be updated with rules knowledge, interpretations and urgent changes to mechanics that we use while the web site will be used more as an encyclopedia to refer back to.
While we covered rules as a part of the process of the game it is where we are positioned and what we look for that is vital to safety and fair play. Keep asking questions and remember the answers. Keep improving yourself each week and if need be keep a diary of your questions and answers. It won't matter how good you know the rule book from front to back cover it is how you judge the play according to the rules and interpretations from the NCAA Rules Committee and local modifications.
Anyhow keep reading and asking and look forward to next week.
Regards
Grant Martin
SAGOA Training Officer
Please check here and the SAGOA web site each week for updates and let me know through email what your weekly availability is so that I can record this and create balanced crews.
The BLOG will be updated with rules knowledge, interpretations and urgent changes to mechanics that we use while the web site will be used more as an encyclopedia to refer back to.
While we covered rules as a part of the process of the game it is where we are positioned and what we look for that is vital to safety and fair play. Keep asking questions and remember the answers. Keep improving yourself each week and if need be keep a diary of your questions and answers. It won't matter how good you know the rule book from front to back cover it is how you judge the play according to the rules and interpretations from the NCAA Rules Committee and local modifications.
Anyhow keep reading and asking and look forward to next week.
Regards
Grant Martin
SAGOA Training Officer
Thursday, October 11, 2007
SAGOA Training 14th October
Don't forget training is again this Sunday 14th October 2007. Same venue check www.sagoa.info/calendar.htm for any other details.
Bring some running shoes along as we will have about an hours on field training during the day. Can you also bring your own lunch to minimise time between breaks and stay together as a group.
Make sure you register on or before Sunday and fill in your paper rego form to hand to me so that I can deliver them to GASA. If you don't have a credit card please let us know on the day.
We will be training toward 5/6/7 man crews.
Grant Martin
Coordinator of Officials
Bring some running shoes along as we will have about an hours on field training during the day. Can you also bring your own lunch to minimise time between breaks and stay together as a group.
Make sure you register on or before Sunday and fill in your paper rego form to hand to me so that I can deliver them to GASA. If you don't have a credit card please let us know on the day.
We will be training toward 5/6/7 man crews.
Grant Martin
Coordinator of Officials
Sunday, September 30, 2007
SA Gridiron Rules Update
Well the season is very close now.
Update to the rules for the upcoming season:
1. Kickoff - Teams will be kicking off from the 30 yard line this year. There will also be a 25 sec clock when the Ref blows the ready for play. This will start when either the kicker is handed the ball or when the ball is placed at the correct spot for the kickoff, allowing teams sufficient time to gather their thoughts and to have a drink.
All other rule changes from the NCAA are located at:
http://www.sagoa.info/resources/2007/2007NCAARulesChanges.pdf
If you have any queries of which other rules affect GASA games this season then please email training@sagoa.info
Grant Martin
Update to the rules for the upcoming season:
1. Kickoff - Teams will be kicking off from the 30 yard line this year. There will also be a 25 sec clock when the Ref blows the ready for play. This will start when either the kicker is handed the ball or when the ball is placed at the correct spot for the kickoff, allowing teams sufficient time to gather their thoughts and to have a drink.
All other rule changes from the NCAA are located at:
http://www.sagoa.info/resources/2007/2007NCAARulesChanges.pdf
If you have any queries of which other rules affect GASA games this season then please email training@sagoa.info
Grant Martin
Sunday, September 23, 2007
SAGOA Training
Well a good start to the upcoming season 2007/08. Another well prepared training session that kept people thinking about the role we play in officiating American Football, NCAA. Thanks to Simon and Gordon for taking the reigns to add any further detail to an already jam packed curriculum.
It was great to see new faces and of course the old faces are welcome back at any time.
Reminder to register but if you can't do this we will fix it up at the next SAGOA meeting to be held October 14th, same venue, 10am. This will be about mechanics and rules and have an onfield component rather than just theory. So bring along appropriate footwear for the day.
The web site is getting updated with the training info and as such any information we didn't cover on the day is in the presentation. Where I have used other PowerPoint presentations from elsewhere I have left in tact the presentation as recognition of other peoples work. If there is anything incorrect in any of the work presented please email me so that I can rectify any errors. Please ensure you have a full and correct uniform before week 1, 20th October. Remember we have a couple of new officials so if you have spare bean bags, caps or tops please bring them along.
Due to other commitments in early October I won't be adding to the blog site until the week before the season begins. Good luck to all.
Grant Martin
SAGOA Coordinator of Officials
It was great to see new faces and of course the old faces are welcome back at any time.
Reminder to register but if you can't do this we will fix it up at the next SAGOA meeting to be held October 14th, same venue, 10am. This will be about mechanics and rules and have an onfield component rather than just theory. So bring along appropriate footwear for the day.
The web site is getting updated with the training info and as such any information we didn't cover on the day is in the presentation. Where I have used other PowerPoint presentations from elsewhere I have left in tact the presentation as recognition of other peoples work. If there is anything incorrect in any of the work presented please email me so that I can rectify any errors. Please ensure you have a full and correct uniform before week 1, 20th October. Remember we have a couple of new officials so if you have spare bean bags, caps or tops please bring them along.
Due to other commitments in early October I won't be adding to the blog site until the week before the season begins. Good luck to all.
Grant Martin
SAGOA Coordinator of Officials
Thursday, September 20, 2007
SAGOA Training
SAGOA Training is on this Sunday at 10am to 3.30pm.
www.sagoa.info/calendar.htm
Please check the link for location and other details.
Grant Martin
SAGOA Training Officer
www.sagoa.info/calendar.htm
Please check the link for location and other details.
Grant Martin
SAGOA Training Officer
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Sportsmanship
Rules Meeting
On the 30th August 2007 SAGOA acted on behalf of GASA to organise a rules committee and explore the issue of sportsmanhip. GASA has spent much money over the past 12 months to improve the marketability of the game in SA. As a member of the league SAGOA has undertaken research across Australian states with comments from other officials, administrators, coaches, players and spectators.
With all of this in mind SAGOA presented GASA with the comments below and some recommendations to follow up. Please read through the whole document below and best of luck for 2007/08.
30th August 2007
Marion Sport and Community Centre, 7.00pm
Meeting open at 7.30pm
Discussion on attendance being that there was an urgent meeting held on Tuesday night by GASA which in turn could have affected this meeting.
•Unsportsmanlike Acts
•ARTICLE 1. There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct or any act that interferes with orderly game administration on the part of players, substitutes, coaches, authorized attendants or any other persons subject to the rules, before the game, during the game or between periods.
•a. Specifically prohibited acts and conduct include:
•1. No player, substitute, coach or other person subject to the rules shall use abusive, threatening or obscene language or gestures, or engage in such acts that provoke ill will or are demeaning to an opponent, to game officials or to the image of the game, including but not limited to:
• (a) Pointing the finger(s), hand(s), arm(s) or ball at an opponent, or imitating the slashing of the throat.
•(b) Taunting, baiting or ridiculing an opponent verbally.
•(c) Inciting an opponent or spectators in any other way, such as simulating the firing of a weapon or placing a hand by the ear to request recognition.
•(d) Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon himself (or themselves).
•(e) Obviously altering stride as an unopposed runner approaches the opponent’s goal line, or diving into the end zone when unopposed.
•(f) Removal of a player’s helmet before he is in the team area (Exceptions: Team, media or injury timeouts; equipment adjustment; through play; between periods; and during a measurement for a first down).
•(g) Punching one’s own chest or crossing one’s arms in front of the chest while standing over a prone player.
•(h) Going into the stands to interact with spectators, or bowing at the waist after a good play.
. After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot.
This prohibits:
•(a) Kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying (including off of the field) the ball any distance that requires an official to retrieve it.
•(b) Spiking the ball to the ground [Exception: A forward pass to conserve time (Rule 7-3-2-d)].
•(c) Throwing the ball high into the air.
•(d) Any other unsportsmanlike act or actions that delay the game.
•SECTION 32. Fighting
•ARTICLE 1. Fighting is any attempt by a player, coach or squad member in uniform to strike an opponent in a combative manner unrelated to football.
•Such acts include, but are not limited to:
–a. An attempt to strike an opponent with the arm(s), hand(s), leg(s) or foot (feet), whether or not there is contact.
–b. An unsportsmanlike act toward an opponent that causes any opponent to retaliate by fighting (Rules 9-2-1-a and 9-5-1-a-c).
The purpose of this meeting was to look at ways players could celebrate great plays and scores within the rules set down by the NCAA.
The committee spent much time going over words and how they are to be interpreted and what this would look like in a game situation. All agreed that celebration was an important part of the game but taunting and trash talk was not. It was felt that the Australian culture influenced the way that the game is played in this regard but it is not something that is allowed by rule.
The Australian Gridiron community made a conscious decision choosing NCAA rules when the game was implemented into Australia and as such follow their ideas surrounding the way the game is played. We do though need to acknowledge that Australia is a different place to play this unique game and need to also look at sporting trends through the Australian Sports Commission.
It was accepted by the group that acts that are genuine celebration within a team environment would be acceptable but those that brought attention on an individual may at times be unacceptable. Players running from a sideline to join in a celebration during a game would also be deemed unacceptable, except in cases of close wins or the end of a finals game.
Discussion centred around what is an orderly game. This was defined as having a play run and that the officials are able to reset the ball for the next play within 10 to 15 secs and then blowing in the ready for play 25 sec clock for Offence.
Illegal Delay of the Game
ARTICLE 2. a. The ball shall be declared ready for play consistently throughout the game by the referee when the officials are in position. Consuming more than 25 seconds to put the ball in play after it is declared ready for play is an illegal delay. (page 75, 2007 NCAA Rule Book)
The NCAA is moving towards a 45 sec clock like the NFL and while we don’t necessarily have the 45 secs displayed as such we train the Referees and officials to get the ball in at this regular pace of the game.
In regards of player interaction the rules to sportsmanship are quite specific about how opponents are to treat each other. The nature of the sport is to beat your opponent on the field in a combative nature. Actions that provoke or demean an opponent as a sportsperson are not a part of the game. Though some players may have a good rapport with each other this is not always knowledge to an official. The official is trained to manage this with or without a flag and that is his judgment. While some players may believe that taunting is a part of the game to mentally provoke an opponent and that it is the Australian way to do things we must also see this as a preventative method of officiating before things get out of control and the image of the game is tarnished. While players find this restrictive in managing their passions the game is also about mental toughness as well as managed physical aggression within the rules. The game is about building character and team play, as well as winning.
The rules that have been developed for sportsmanship within the USA are about respecting the game and your opponents.
Participants reaffirmed after much debate that SAGOA is currently officiating the rules correctly in accordance with NCAA policy on interpretations. This comes about after much contact with US officials via email and NCAA newsletters. Sections bolded or underlined were under discussion about interpretation.
Points to ponder?
- SAGOA suggests promotion of team celebration of those players on the field and that GASA promotes team celebrations as a means for entertainment for the game.
- That any celebration that delays a game, is excessive and brings attention to oneself or is choreographed still be considered for USC behaviour.
- That GASA actively support the notion of positive sportsmanship at local league level for teams. Whether this is a voting system of some sort by SAGOA officials or league officials or board members.
Regards
Grant Martin
SAGOA Training Officer
SAGOA Coordinator of Officials
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