Extremely Urgent Attention!

[artlax]

That I can see for a single, unified rules set - and that would be if we ever wanted to hold a TRUE national championship tournament or play-off.

World Cup - teams from all over the world, different languages, etc... - play by one rules set.

I kinda think that if they can pull that off - then we could come up with something that would work.

But again - I only see the need if it is for a TRUE National Championship tournament.

And just like all the tournaments out there now - the coach who decides to go and play in it decides to play by those rules.

Now - if the MFCA wanted to create a section (archive) where copies of all the rules sets could be found and downloaded/looked at by newcomers - that would sound like a good idea. That is exactly how my son and I came up with our house league rules - looking at and then picking and choosing the rules we like.

[Treks1]

I like the idea of coming up with something new, combining what is out there already, coming together as a group that could be used at our regional events (remember those?) and as A rule set at the Convention. I already like some of the suggestions and am exicited about the process of discussion and voting.

Think about it, if someone comes up to you and says, how do you play the game (simple question, right), "well....." then you have to mention 20 or more different rules played accoss the country. There's a set of rules for every day of the month. Monopoly and Scrabble have the same rules no matter were you play the game. We do have a need for a UNIFIED set of rules.
Why not say: "miniature football has the MFCA, a national organization formed to promote unity in the hobby, we came togeter and 200 coaches from accross the country voted on a new set of rules combining the most common and popular rules used by coaches and NOW we have a unified "Miniature Football" set of rules."

Miggle has their rules. But this is not Miggle, and I for one feel that their rules are too restrictive with all of the innovations and products that have been developed. MFCA rules!!!!!


This type of think-tank, cooperation, participation and unity is what the MFCA is for. Anyone suggestion that the MFCA cannot legally by its by-laws create a set of MFCA rules is mis-interpreting the by-laws and missing the point of why this organization was formed in the first place.

[Treks1]

Bottom line we need to make a decision on this matter. Let's have the moderator set up a Poll.

Question being "should the MFCA create a set of MFCA rules?"

Voted on by paid MFCA members. We vote on election day, Tuesday November 4, 2008. What better way to celebrate democracy than by practicing it here in the greatest hobby in America!!


If 3/4 of the members agree that there should be MFCA rules, then we divide rules into categories, (passing rules, players and equipment, timing, special teams, scrimmage and f, tackling... etc.), establish a separate section on the chatboard for discussion and by January 1, 2009 have the three or four best options for voting by the body.

And ya know I'm partial to the guy from Indiana!!!

[Coach K-LO]

Originally Posted by Treks1

I like the idea of coming up with something new, combining what is out there already, coming together as a group that could be used at our regional events (remember those?) and as A rule set at the Convention. I already like some of the suggestions and am exicited about the process of discussion and voting.

Think about it, if someone comes up to you and says, how do you play the game (simple question, right), "well....." then you have to mention 20 or more different rules played accoss the country. There's a set of rules for every day of the month. Monopoly and Scrabble have the same rules no matter were you play the game. We do have a need for a UNIFIED set of rules.
Why not say: "miniature football has the MFCA, a national organization formed to promote unity in the hobby, we came togeter and 200 coaches from accross the country voted on a new set of rules combining the most common and popular rules used by coaches and NOW we have a unified "Miniature Football" set of rules."

Miggle has their rules. But this is not Miggle, and I for one feel that their rules are too restrictive with all of the innovations and products that have been developed. MFCA rules!!!!!


This type of think-tank, cooperation, participation and unity is what the MFCA is for. Anyone suggestion that the MFCA cannot legally by its by-laws create a set of MFCA rules is mis-interpreting the by-laws and missing the point of why this organization was formed in the first place.

I love the way this discussions has progressed. The subject matter here is not new to most of us. However, thanks to the MFCA, it can be debated in a civil manner not reached in the past talks on the matter.

Over time, we have had the "so called Hobby rules" that were the top set used during a period of time. Rules 2000 may have been the catalist that spurned many of the off shoots that exist today. We have added and deleted bits and peices to make our "league rules" what they are. I know I have seen and played by many rules over time, so great - others not "realistic" enough to keep, etc. I am sure most of us can say that.

Fast forward to today. We have many rules that are of advacing degrees of your MF IQ. Their are basic leagues that feature simplistic rules that keep them having fun. to leagues that have advance rules that require more from the coach to be successful in the rule set of the league. BEFL have a rule that would not be used by all because it would be considered to advanced - 3 seconds to pass - you need to have talent that get get open in that time frame.... This is something that would not make the rule set because of it's limited use.

I love the MFCA Convention style where you had the entire community rules at your disposal to pick up a game or two doing it different than your own way. Had a great time doing that. Let's not change that at all!!!!!

However, I find that we do need to have a "hobby standard" but not a complete novice version. We can build a glossary of items/terms that are universal.

I want to be apart of the commitee that does this. I know I have been successful using or playing by several different league styles. Everybody has some type of rule that like and would use if added to my league set.

It would have to be in 2 parts - beginner and advanced to have the right effect. you give the reader both a starting point and what that would be once it's expanded.

K-lo

[mantaraydre]

hey amx,


it's funny you mentioned this because you were one of the guy's i was going to vote for.


MANTARAYDRE


I DONT SEE HOW HAVING A STANDARD RULE SET HURTS ANYONE. IT ADDS MORE CREDIBILITY TO THE ESPN'S AND TOY R US OF THE WORLD.

WE LIVE IN THE WORLD OF A RULES BUFFET. BUT SOME PEOPLE JUST WAN'T MCDONALD'S NO MATTER WHAT COUNTRY OR CITY THEY VISIT.
KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN IS MAJOR IN ASIA. IF SOMEONE FROM HONG KONG CAME TO THE US AND SAW ALL THESE DIFF RESTAURANT'S
(RULES) ONCE THEY SEE A KENTUCKY FRIED AMONGST THESE RESTAURANT'S, THEY WILL SAY, "LOOK WE HAVE THAT IN OUR CITY/COUNTRY TOO. FAMILARITY NO MATTER WHERE ONE GOES.


LETS DO THIS.

[HOOP]

Originally Posted by MANTARAY- DRE

hey amx,


it's funny you mentioned this because you were one of the guy's i was going to vote for.


MANTARAYDRE


I DONT SEE HOW HAVING A STANDARD RULE SET HURTS ANYONE. IT ADDS MORE CREDIBILITY TO THE ESPN'S AND TOY R US OF THE WORLD.

WE LIVE IN THE WORLD OF A RULES BUFFET. BUT SOME PEOPLE JUST WAN'T MCDONALD'S NO MATTER WHAT COUNTRY OR CITY THEY VISIT.
KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN IS MAJOR IN ASIA. IF SOMEONE FROM HONG KONG CAME TO THE US AND SAW ALL THESE DIFF RESTAURANT'S
(RULES) ONCE THEY SEE A KENTUCKY FRIED AMONGST THESE RESTAURANT'S, THEY WILL SAY, "LOOK WE HAVE THAT IN OUR CITY/COUNTRY TOO. FAMILARITY NO MATTER WHERE ONE GOES.

LETS DO THIS.

I agree with this. it doesnt hurt, it lends credibility to bigger venues and lets be honest, no one is really going to change their style of play in their local areas anyway. its something we will have in place for whatever we need it for. so lets have it in place, so that we can have it on that day WE DO NEED IT. As far as the convention goes, all styles should remain, and lets face it, we would play all styles anyway there too.

[Geno H]

I have started many times to respond to this post and many others like it in the past. I have heard one comment made over and over. "We all need to play under the same rules." In all honesty this isnt realistic. Think about it. Is all of football played in the same way? Before you answer think about ALL levels of football. From PEE WEE to POP WARNER to FLAG FOOTBALL to HIGH SCHOOL to COLLEGE to CANADIAN to ARENA to the PRO'S. They all have their differences, yet they are all football. Heck here in Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska there is 8 man football yes 8 man. Even in some of the more rural areas they play 6 man yes 6 man. Where am I going with this? Well I think our hobby covers all of the afore mentioned in one way or another. I dont care if Scrabble or Monopoly is played the same all over. I embrace OUR hobby for what it is. It's diverse, regional, and recently with the MFCA it is becoming united. With the unification doesnt mean we all have to play the same way.

Another statement made consistently is that the newbie needs a starting point or he /she will quit. Honestly that is not giving the newbie any credit what so ever. If the newbie quits because of rules then it is just a matter of time before they would quit for some other reason. Any competitive hobby that you enter has hurdles to overcome and a learning curve. The newbie that truly wants to jump in hardcore will figure things out.

What will grow this hobby is exactly what we all are a part of right now, this independent chatboard & the MFCA. The best idea I have read about for the newbie is the Mentor Program that Silverhorse mentioned. It goes hand in hand with Dagstrydr or Leonard of the DSEFL and his signature or motto at the bottom of his posts. "Each one Teach one" its that simple.

If you really want to play under the same rules with as many others across the nation as you can then the system is already in place the NHFL.

If you dont like that one then there is another one in the works the CBSMF.

These two examples is where I find the beauty in this hobby. "A CHOICE"

I Choose to participate in both! Now thats AMERICA! FREEDOM!

Just my opinion. Just my take on the subject. Its not up for debate.



Geno H

[NATIONAL]

I'm going to get my popcorn ready. Prince had a line in one of his songs, "I need another lover like I need a hole in my head". We need another rule set like we need a hole in our head.
Geno summed it up. The NHFL is already in place. The CBSMF is on the way.

Guys are all over the place with stuff the MFCA can do. We need to concentrate on some issues at hand. It's like when you build or remodel a house. You don't go in every room doing something... you start in one room until it's complete, then on to the next.

I think I have said enough on this topic. I love the debate, and the interest of our members, it's just not the time (in my opinion) to start making rules.

Love all you guys,

Jimbo, Pratt what brand of popcorn you guys eat!?


Nat'l

[WEIRDWOLF]

You guys are having a great discussion! The one thing, at this point, that I can add is that the MFCA Convention will remain with the rules that we have currently in place. As many have remarked, it was a great time and the chance to play by many rule sets made it open to all levels and abilities. The sportsmanship over the wekend was exceptional! If an MFCA ruleset was developed, it would just be another ruleset available for play at the convention along with all the rest

As to a MFCA ruleset, I will need to see more discussion. In the past, when I have tried to get response to issues regarding the MFCA, I have gotten lackluster response. If this is something that the MFCA membership wants it will take a grassroots effort by the membership. I will not be heading this up but will help facilitate it in regards to posts, voting and other needs by those who actively take this on. I am honestly not sure that this fits in the mission of the MFCA but that is not to say that it can't be a part of what we are doing. I do think that there needs to be a beginners set of rules that encompass only the things that are universal among many league rules.

To explain better; when I studied religion years ago and the many differences, a wise instructor told me to find the things that were universal throughout all or a major majority of religions. Those, in the mind of my instructor, were the truths that binded all of humanity. I found this to be very helpful in discovering what my variety of faith was going to be.

If we apply that to these rules, we can come up with a beginners set that no matter where a new coach goes, he has the basics. This can be a complicated task but with open thought from those involved, it can be achieved. Start with the things that are universal and then build on those to make it playable. Do not take anything for granted. You need to go to the very basics of this game. Don't get too overly detailed and then as Lomax pointed out, later create the advanced version. Again, these are not to replace any ruleset out there but to give the new coach a place to start. I think it will be an interesting run to see what this becomes. If we are successful with something like this, then a new wing of the MFCA may be created for serious competitors such as a coaches ranking and national champion but this would be somewhat outside of the original MFCA. Almost it's own entity, a Miniature Football Coaches League running in unison with the MFCA. I think it may have to be that way, but I am open to discussion and again, this assocaition is yours. When the majority of the membership wants something and it is determined to be in the best interests of the overall associations goals, it is my duty to help us get to that point, and that point may not neccasarily be within the MFCA proper.