Thoughts of officals on the A11 offense.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Here's what the Federation rule book says:

Under the Table of Contents on p.11:

"Each state high school association adopting these rules is the sole and exclusive source of binding rules interpretations for contests involving its member schools. Any person having questions about the interpretation of NFHS rules should contact the rules interpreter designated by his or her state high school association. The NFHS is the sole and exclusive source of model interpretations of NFHS rules. State rules interpreters may contact the NFHS for model rules interpretations. No other model rules interpretations should be considered."

And then in Rule 1-7:
"Each state association has the authority to make decisions and provide coverage relative to a number of specific rules and may individually adopt specific coverage relative to the following:" (followed by a list of 16 specific places where the statets are free to establish their own governing rules, like resolving tied games, mercy rules, etc.)

So I have absolutely NO idea to what extent states can adopt their own playing rules.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

So I have absolutely NO idea to what extent states can adopt their own playing rules.

States can do whatever they want, since FED has neither the authority nor the power to sanction them. All FED can do is deny a state a voice in the rule-making process, which hardly prevents the state from doing as it wants.

Ohio, for example, has completely different kick coverage from FED. This is a mechanics difference, not a rules difference, but Ohio still lost its seat on the rules committee over this issue. We still use our own kick coverage and FED rules, though.

The mistake lies in thinking of FED as somehow authorizing state associations, rather than the other way round.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

So I have absolutely NO idea to what extent states can adopt their own playing rules.

It's really simple -- it depends on whether they want to stay members of the Federation in that sport.

The Federation works for specific sports by democratic centralism. There are official channels that funnel feedback upward to where the decisions are made, and then those decisions are binding downward to the participants. You're allowed to play by Fed rules without being a member of Fed or being a member of a state high school ***'n, or even being of HS age or being in North America, and you're allowed to modify them to your heart's content. A state HS ***'n to be affiliated with Fed in a particular sport has to sanction its own members' games only if played strictly by the current Fed rules.

It works the same way within states. When I was in school, the NYSHSAA played Fed rules for football, but my school wasn't a member of the state ***'n, and we didn't play by Fed football rules. We sometimes played schools that were in the state ***'n for football, and I guess the rules for that game were a matter of advance negotiation. Maybe now some state ***'ns are a closed loop that forbid out-of-***'n play.

Robert

[KurtBryan]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

It's really simple -- it depends on whether they want to stay members of the Federation in that sport.

The Federation works for specific sports by democratic centralism. There are official channels that funnel feedback upward to where the decisions are made, and then those decisions are binding downward to the participants. You're allowed to play by Fed rules without being a member of Fed or being a member of a state high school ***'n, or even being of HS age or being in North America, and you're allowed to modify them to your heart's content. A state HS ***'n to be affiliated with Fed in a particular sport has to sanction its own members' games only if played strictly by the current Fed rules.

It works the same way within states. When I was in school, the NYSHSAA played Fed rules for football, but my school wasn't a member of the state ***'n, and we didn't play by Fed football rules. We sometimes played schools that were in the state ***'n for football, and I guess the rules for that game were a matter of advance negotiation. Maybe now some state ***'ns are a closed loop that forbid out-of-***'n play.

Robert

Robert:

This is the third or fourth reference I have read on this board and others to various types of precedent set by states playing within Fed rules or modified Fed rules, but allowing all types of different brands of football within those states, etc.

In fact, we have been contacted by a couple of big business entities that want to start a new "federation" for small to mid-size schools for football.
Again, we did not call them, THEY called us, etc.

However, right now, I believe there is plenty of room in America within NFHS for various brands of football, so everybody remains happy ---MOST IMPORTANTLY the KIDS!

And I have read some interesting rule modification draft proposals emailed to me from people in favor of keeping A-11, while at the same time preserving traditional football too.

But it is very interesting to see how clearly ALL of us are at a very critical juncture in the history of football.

It is important to respect all opinions, while closely examining how quickly the game is changing due to today's athletes and strategies, and the expanding disparities between levels of publich high schools, and the blossoming of private high schools, many still playing public schools. Except in Texas, where they have Public and Private high school state champions playing under modified NCAA rules.

Regardless, it has become apparent the game is morphing into something so fast and athletic never before seen in the history of the game, respectfully to all of its great players, coaches and officials from years gone by.

* This thread has turned into an excellent discussion.

KB

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by KurtBryan

However, right now, I believe there is plenty of room in America within NFHS for various brands of football, so everybody remains happy ---MOST IMPORTANTLY the KIDS!

And I have read some interesting rule modification draft proposals emailed to me from people in favor of keeping A-11, while at the same time preserving traditional football too.

But it is very interesting to see how clearly ALL of us are at a very critical juncture in the history of football.

Will you stop with the sales pitch. This is not a critical time in the game more than any other. Rules change all the time and your offense has not revolutionized the game. The Run and Shoot was supposed to revolutionize the game and it is basically gone in the game today. And I do not see teams running out and using your offense. If anything it has not been successful enough to change the game for many. We get it already; you want everyone to like the offense. The problem is that is not the case.

Peace

[TXMike]

Originally Posted by KurtBryan

In fact, we have been contacted by a couple of big business entities that want to start a new "federation" for small to mid-size schools for football.
Again, we did not call them, THEY called us, etc.

Scammers do tend to seek out each other

Originally Posted by KurtBryan

But it is very interesting to see how clearly ALL of us are at a very critical juncture in the history of football.

Huh???? Who said we are at a CRITICAL JUNCTURE in the history of football? Is that just some more self-back slapping you are doing or is there really something going on in football that the rest of us are not aware of???? Do you really think your little scam is that important?

Originally Posted by KurtBryan

Regardless, it has become apparent the game is morphing into something so fast and athletic never before seen in the history of the game, respectfully to all of its great players, coaches and officials from years gone by.

And your deliberate attempt to circumvent the rules of the game does more to DISHONOR all those from years gone by than your pathetic little statement of "respect" does to honor them.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by KurtBryan

But it is very interesting to see how clearly ALL of us are at a very critical juncture in the history of football.

Can I nominate that as "most self-important statement of the season"?