Change in Canadian Rules

[ref18]

I got this in my e-mail today, just thought I should post it here.

NOTICE OF RULE CHANGE TO ALL CFOA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

Yesterday, May 10, 2005, the Football Canada Rules Committee held a teleconference to discuss and vote on a rule change proposal in regards to Interference as per Rule 4 Section 5 Article 1 page 32 of the 2004 - 2005 Canadian Rule Book for Tackle Football.

The proposal was to add the following paragraph to the said 4: 5: 1 as

follows:

"ON ANY PLAY, BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST IS ILLEGAL EXCEPT IN THE CLOSE LINE PLAY AREA BY A PLAYER WHO IS OCCUPYING A POSITION IN THIS AREA AT THE SNAP OF THE BALL".

The proposed ruling was passed unanimously by the Rules Committee. The rational in determining this rule change is the safety factor for the athletes. The rule change will virtually eliminate any low blocks (cut blocks) in the open field of play except against the ball carrier. It is felt that this rule change will further decrease the potential for injury, as well as increase consistency related to blocking.

THIS RULE CHANGE IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IS TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN ADDITIONAL PARAGRAPH TO RULE 5 SECTION 5 ARTICLE 1.

Bill Glendinning

Secretary-Treasurer, CFOA

http://home.cogeco.ca/~hfoa/New%20Blocking%20Rule.htm

[JugglingReferee]

The close line play area is an area of the field, tackle to tackle, 2 yards behind and beyond the line of scrimmage. In this area, linemen hit quite a bit, and blocks below the waist are legal. However, unneccesary roughness acts are still penalized.

Also note that in the last paragraph, the incorrect article is referenced. 5.5.1 should be 4.5.1. More info can be found at:

http://www.wwcfoa.ca
http://www.cfoa-acof.ca