Extremely Urgent Attention!

[mantaraydre]

lets vote on this election day and by jan 2009 have something in place.




excellent idea


DON AND WOLF WILL HAVE TO SET THIS UP AS MODERATOR'S



MANTARAYDRE

[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.

[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.

[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

[Coach Rip]

Geno,

I would like to see where it is written here that a newbie will QUIT if he doesn't have a set of rules?

As I have stated numerous times, .........the key to KEEPING someone in the hobby is to get them going as soon as possible, .........not bog them down with tons of decisions to make...................if they never start playing to begin with,.............. then............. they can't quit because they never started.

I have to chuckle to myself that many of you are acting like a baseline set of rules will threaten our existence.

A Base set of rules is exactly that, ..........a starting point. And, in addition, ..........why should we, in the MFCA, let meegle handle that, I think they have dropped the ball on enough of things.................and most know they were not on board with the MFCA anyway.

[GUTTMANN]

My 2 cents....

No rules needed. We all are stubborn in our own way. We'll play the way we want to play. By our league's discretion or by tournament rules. No need to force any set rule on anyone, or they will quit or we will lose them.

Peanuts in a shell for me please.

[mantaraydre]

Coache's,

all of you who keep saying no, explain to the world how is this going to effect your life if your going to play by your rules anyway. Some may join the MFCA and not like any rule set out there. THIS IS STRICTLY FOR SOMEONE WHO WANT'S IT. There are some cities where there are 2 and 3 different leagues because some coaches don't get along or don't really care for the rules by some lesgue. THERE IS ALWAY'S A COACH (The nature of man) who like things his way. If he can't find it, he will branch out and create things to his liking. THAT"S WHY WE HAVE NINE MILLION WAYS TO PLAY AS OF NOW. Everyone thinks they have cured cancer and developed the greatest ruleset in the game today. Instead of scattered doctor's opening up there own pratice(creating league's and rules) we asking a team of doctor's to collaborate and perform an operation in a hospital called THE MFCA.

These rules will be there health insurance just in case the are not happy with there current or former HMO. AT LEAST THEY CAN GO AND GET A mfca VACCINE SHOT IF THEY NEED IT.


lET'S SAY A KID JOINS THE mfca AND WAN'T TO GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY. wHY SHOULD HE HAVE TO THUMB THROUGH A MILLION RULESETS WHEN HE CAN GO TO THE mfca for a basic standard. What if that kid wan't to invite 3 friends over and play some innocent football. Just because someone lives in your city does not mean they are going to join your league. They may just want to play and have a football saturday with friends and family. At least there will be a basic ruleset to get started and enjoy. what if they brought a superbowl field from a toy store , got home and opened the box. Out falls everyone's rule's from all leagues around the country. They may look at all of them and pick and choose what parts of each set they like and play that way. WE ARE JUST DOING IT FOR THEM FOR SIMPLICITY. NO ONE IS SAYING WE ARE CHANGING WHAT WE DID AT THE CONVENTION. You don't ever have to play by a standard but at least let it be in black and white for someone who does.

There is no league who's future is set in stone. a league could fold tommorow if the right people are not interested anymore. THE MFCA IS A POWERFUL FORCE THAT NEEDS IT'S OWN WAY OF SEEING THIS HOBBY.

eVERYTHING SHOULD BE INCLUDED. An example is how to tweek without using fire (lighters) I do not FORSEE any parent allowing there kids to flick a lighter just to fix a plastic base. IT AINT GONNA HAPPEN.

The MFCA is like a landlord renting out apartments to all of us. We all furnish our apartments to our liking (leagues and rules). The landlord goes to every apartment making sure everything is fine and the tenants (MFCA COACHES)ARE HAPPY (posting LEAGUE AND OTHER PRODUCT PERFORMANCE) The landlord wan't to have a superbowl party in his penthouse. he goes upstairs and opens the door only to find out " I DON'T HAVE ANY FURNIUTRE IN MY OWN APARTMENT" (HE DOES NOT HAVE A STANDARD COUCH FOR HIS GUEST TO SIT ON AND WATCH THE SUPERBOWL) !!!!!!!!!

LIFE MUST BE GREAT WHEN THE RENT IS ONLY $30 A YEAR.

PS/ HE HAD NO TV EITHER, JUST A BOX OF FIGURE'S AND RULESETS HE NEVER HAD TIME TO SIT DOWN AND MASTER JUST ONE. HE WAS TOO BUSY GOING FROM APT TO APT MAKING SURE EVERYTHING WAS FINE WITH YOU.


MANTARAYDRE