Extremely Urgent Attention!

[Tudorian]

Comrads:

Has the MFCA drafted a set of rules for playing EF?

If not, why?

This is something that is long overdue and simply must be done for the progress of the organization and its members.

Think it about.

This post is not a criticism, but merely a spark to push this most important process along.

Thanks for your understanding.

Carpe Diem,
Paul Leslie Gardner

[Treks1]

Originally Posted by Treks1

The MFCA convention was awesome! It was great sharing our game with the kids on Saturday and the folks with the Ultimate Fans Association. I really enjoyed the format and additional points for playing different styles. All involved did a great job and I can't wait for next year already!!!

On my way home I thought about the rules and early post on this board about a standardized set of National rules. Personally, I think we sould come up with a set of rules for the MFCA that would combine some elements of many of the rules sets we tried at the Convention.

Would others be interested in this project?

I would like the coaches who attended the convention to list two or three rules they they really liked that may have been new to them or would like to see in a set of MFCA rules.Those who did not attend may respond as well.

If we included some elements from the most popular rule sets, perhaps we could come up with something fun, unique and could be used as one of the rule sets for MFCA events.


So what what rules did you like or would want to see in a set of MFCA rules?

I brought this up following the convention with no responses

[NATIONAL]

It would separate the hobby rather than/then (lol) unite it. No matter how you spun it, someone would feel left out. It's probably on the agenda, but down the road. There are some more serious topics we could tackle before we on to one set of rules.
During the convention everyone loved the idea of playing any rules you saw fit to play. I played the arena style, and the Mid-Ohio/Akron rules. It was a blast. At this time let's enjoy and embrace all the styles of leagues across the country.
I'm sure the MFCA big shots are going to make that move at some time.

FYI

Did you know you can support the MFCA by buying your NFL products from our sponsor? Go to their site right from ours, and a percentage will go to the MFCA!


Nat'l

[detroitchild]

I agree with CorEy. I like the flava of the different rule sets around the country. Perhaps rotating them for the annual conference is an idea so the association does not have to keep up with all the different rules but I don't think adopting one set of rules would work at this point. Maybe in the future.

WADR, the MFCA Tournament was PERFECT as it was, and I hope it stays that way!!!

Come one, come all. Play any and EVERY way there is to play and get points for playing more than one style. Corey and Wolf got a piece of my Mini ARENA - hope they bring their respective AFL teams next year!!! I got a piece of Joe and the BEFL/PEFL style, as well as Franny-J-Boy and the MOMFL style. I also played my ARMY against 2 Navy squads (silverhorse and 513studio) and 2 Air Force squads (broncoman and styx). I know I had a blast playing 4 different ways and IMHO - my ONE vote - I wouldn't change a thing. There was NO STRESS to learn/study/train/concentrate on anything other than good old-fashioned F-U-N.

I hope to see more styles there next year so I can do the Silver Surfer pose on the cover of next Fall's TWEAK. Peace.

[Coach Rip]

...........and here is why, ................if one of the purposes of the MFCA is to promote the hobby, we need a starting point for newbies, .................aka a baseline form of playing.

This play "anyway you want" message to new people entering the hobby does nothing but put them in a "paralysis by analysis" state of mind.....................how do I know this??? I have spent many hours on the phone and numerous emails, with newbies, on rules of playing the game.

I think many leagues have added their own seasonings to their leagues to give them a local "flava" which is perfectly fine.

But, everyone needs a place to start from, and then they can grow from there. Being "politically correct" about styles of play has gotten us nowhere as far as a offering a starting point for newbies to play.

I would suggest an "ABC" Any Base Contact format, calling "run" or "pass" before the switch, and allow TTQB/TDQ and some form of Stick passing. (see, I didn't even try to promote BuzzBall's Pass Simulation ) Having "timed" Kick-offs, non contested field goal tries, and eight plays a quarter. That is a baseline set way of playing, with a few details that will be added for explanations for plays, like Passing plays, 20 yard drop backs, engaged receivers etc.

Everything can much more involved from the MFCA Base line rules IF the person wants to, after "Starting" to play.........................but give them a starting point.

[detroitchild]

Let's be clear on what we are talking hear. Are we saying we want a rule set for everyone across the land, including leagues, tournaments, etc., or one rule set just for the MFCA conference in Canton?

...but, specifically speaking about the MFCA Convention/Tourney, not the MFCA on a day to day, our 1st priority should be to make next year's United Way event BIGGER and BETTER now that we know what we'll be dealing with.

Yes, I think RIP's starting point is a good one - for newbies - but then as we've preached for almost 13 years, it doesn't matter how everyone else plays as much as how YOUR local group of guys play. Step 1 - say "hi" on the chatboard; Step 2 - FIND YOUR LOCAL GUYS!!! What about the wiley, old vets?

With that being said, I still think there are things we could ALL learn from actually playing the different styles at each MFCA-Con - as opposed to dissecting, disagreeing, comparing, analyzing, etc., etc. here on the chatboard - and then take that back home with us and possibly adjust our own rulesets if there's something we like, or not if we don't.

Now, if the thought was that there needs to be a little more organization at future Cons, then I'll agree with that. Granted this was our 1st, and ya know how 1sts go!?! Maybe we should/could have specific tables setup for each style with a rep or two to "supervise" and make it voluntary/mandatory that you rotate (from left to right, if we want) so that everybody then plays every style at least once. I think an AAR from actual gametime could be given as retrospective writings, either here or for the TWEAK, and then again water down all the similarities and continue to build-up the MFCA-style. Maybe we can do that between now and then, maybe it'll take another year. IMHO, I think pushing a national set of rules WILL MOST DEFINITELY rekindle the flames of fury, hatred and whatever else of old and may stifle us again.

[Treks1]

My thinking was to come up with MCFA rules, treating the MFCA as a League unto itself, in the hope that if they contained elements from the major rule sets they would become a standard or recognized rule set accross the country. They would not replace independent league rules, but be an additional rules set that could be used anywhere, at any time. You say MFCA rules, EVERYONE knows exactly what you are talking about.

We should break down the 5 or 6 basic rules sets, and perhaps discuss what may be common elements (i.e. front of base (fob)) tackling on runs from scrimmage, or any touch, whatever) and come up with a base set, like George said. Perhaps MFCA members could vote on the rules they like in each category.

We have the rules from the convention. I really believe the hobby would be helped by a base set of rules, and the MFCA COACHES association is the best vehicle to do this. If each league can contribute to the rules, we can have a real conglomeration with something for everyone.....

We really need to work on this.

[Coach_J]

Greetings to all of my fellow coaches in miniature football. Hopefully all of you are doing well.

I am going to go back to the initial question by Tudorian and do my best to answer. The question was:

Has the MFCA drafted a set of rules for playing EF ?

If not why ?

My answer comes strictly from the Bylaws. Every person who joins the MFCA is aware that the MFCA has Bylaws. NO where in the Bylaws are rules mentioned. Instead I will read a portion of the Bylaws that may shed light on your question.

Article 3: Purpose/Mission

Unifying the miniature football hobbyist by promoting miniature football, educating the public and provide a unified association which recognizes and supports the diverse coaches and leagues.

The key word is diverse. We are not like the NCAA or NFL that has a standard set of rules. Instead the MFCA embraces the DIVERSE rules set by the various leagues throughout the country. For example I live in California but if I moved and played in your league then I would play by the rules set by your league. Hopefully my explanation and the Bylaws have helped shed light on your question.

Coach J