MFCA Must Establish Universal Rule Set For Members!

[BAXTER]

If you believe the issue is prioritizing, that's one thing, but I believe the assn has a chance to be great and to be great, it probably should cover as many topics as possible.

Just to be clear, I am not in agreement with establishing an MFCA rule-set to create another league or govern the hobby, but to help educate newbies/novices and to help clear some misconceptions of "veteran" coaches.

I believe it would be awesome, from a newbies perspective, to have somewhat of a one-stop-shop for Q&As.

This is a great idea as long as their are no undercurrents.

-Adrian-

[BAXTER]

for the tip. This typing stuff has taking entirely too much time out of my day this morn. I am putting this thing down right now so I can get on the board. This stuff has interfered with my precious board time. LOL!

Perhaps the particulars can be worked out offline with the rules committee and then brought back online for assistance from the MFCA public, if needed. Just a thought.


Peace Peeps!

-Adrian-

[Coach Rip]

I think as an association , we need to stand on our own and not let "someone else" take the lead for the newbies.

some said, let miggle handle the new guys, .............well, not everyone is getting "back into the hobby" with a new miggle set, some are getting that other set that runs on batteries, ...............some are getting old sets from yard sales that don't have directions.

We have all seen the new guys posting the same questions over and over again. One/some of the question/s is/are relating to the "how to's" of playing the game.

WE are the experts, ............. I'm not saying this in a pompous way,...................... I'm saying this "matter of fact"-ly.................. because folks are finding us and coming to us for answers.

As a member of this organization, which was created to promote the hobby, if one is to take on this responsibility, one must take on a leadership role. In this case, a leadership role consists of addressing the newbies questions with regards to "game play".

Since we are the leaders of the hobby, we can set the newbies on their way with a suggested "INTRO rule set" for game play. So many of us are so arrogant to think that it will mean this rule set will be the end all way of game play. This is not the case, .....and not the intention of an Intro rule set.

As a conservative, I like to think people can make their own decisions, think for themselves.

A basic set of MFCA rules addresses many questions in a neat compact format. Once they get their feet wet, so to speak, or put another way, "get the vibes" on playing the game, hopefully they will go out on their own, find local leagues and see the way others have adapted/added home town flava to playing the game.

Stepping out in the leadership role isn't always roses, but if an association has said their mission is to promote the hobby, then a responsibility comes with that role in the form of effectively answering questions that are asked all the time...............in this case a "place to start" rule set.

[Shabby J]

Point made and taken. You guys are obviously making some good points. I just happen to disagree with them. No biggie, after all, we are all here to promote the hobby and educate, I guess the MFCA rules would do no harm and if they help bring more coaches into the hobby that is a good thing.

I still disagree, think it is not needed and a waste of everyone's time.

That's the good part of the this open forum though, we can all toss ideas and opinions around.

I still support the hobby and the MFCA as a Pacific West Regional Rep.

[FrustratedFinFan]

Man, this sounds like the same tired argument we have been having over and over again on this board. Once you try to establish "universal" rules the infighting will begin anew. There will be the 3.2 or greater weight debate, the figure debate, the pivots and stop action debate....yuck. That is why this rules section was created, so these debates are not new...and never end well.

Play the way you like in your area. If it is good, then others will follow. I am actually not too interested in playing styles outside of my area. Not to be some sort of isolationist....I am just keeping it real. I am not likely to go back east to play too often...and almost nobody from that area comes out west. SO...no need to worry about any rules but the ones used here. If I go to Miggle or something, then I will adapt to those rules. No need to fight about it, or debate it. You play by the rules of the house you are in. Simple.

The Internet allows us to post all the rules we want. Let the masses decide what they like in their area. The best system will garner the most support...it is just natural selection.

[Coach Rip]

I went back and re-read the 1st post that was put forth, ..........and yes I have to agree with many of you to respond to that 1st post in which I don't think a 'universal set" of rules would be accepted or adhered to.

I do have a strong opinion on laying out a "starter rule set" for folks getting back into the hobby.

Hopefully, I'll be there next weekend to further discuss, .............passionately discuss,................... this whole rule thingy.

[detroitchild]

It's as if two different languages are spoken on this topic. I think that the idea being offered is a MFCA sanctioned rule set for newbies to use to get their feet wet. I'm all for that. After that they can play by any rule set the choose. I don't believe the suggestion was to create a universal rule set that anyone had to abide by.

I think I read where someone was looking into slightly updating the Miggle or old Tudor rules to use. I gave my girlfriend one of those MFCA cards (the one with Bary Sanders on it) to give to a co-worker who after hearing about my enthusiasm about the hobby wanting to explore it more with his brothers and nephews. I have not met the guy but let's imagine it goes like this....he goes to the website and is blown away by what he sees. He did not imagine in his wildest dreams the child's game he knew blew up like this. He wants to start playing with family members (up to this point the story is true). They get their hands on a board and teams and they start out playing like it was when they were kids. Now what? I would hope that they could go back to the MFCA website to down load a set of rules for newbies that enhances their play. Over time they visit the forum to learn the other fine points of this hobby (like many of us did) and they either join or create a league that has a style of play that they enjoy. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? Now I know some of you will chime in with your own scenarios of how this story should go and that's fine...it could play out any number of ways. But to only view the issue through your own "life's lenses" is a bit selfish.

Just my two cents worth.

[Shabby J]

It's redundant, rules already exist, it's a waste of time. We need MFCA DVDs, brochures, recruiting literature, training clips on Youtube, etc...

Checkers comes with rules, heck you may have even learned it as a kid from other kids or family members that played checkers and never even read the rules, so I ask you, why would we need the United Checker Players of America to come along and re-write their own version?

It's senseless and I can seee this thread going south, so I am going to try my best to stay out of it. As an MFCA Regional Rep, I feel the time and resources could be better spent elsewhere.

[WEIRDWOLF]

I have sent an email out with my thoughts on this and my suggestions to the MFCA Rules Committee and a number of you involved in the discussion.

In short, I believe there is value in a beginners set of rules and if we can get a dedicated group of individuals to proceed with this as members of the MFCA Rules committee then in time you will see a MFCA suggested rookie introductory starter set of rules in place not as the "end all" of rules, but as a more updated advanced version of what Tudor layed down long ago. Remember, that one rules set and real to life football game play spawned all of the many ways we currently play. It must have been pretty good in its time and just needs an updated version that is more comprehensive and inclusive with current options and devlopments.

[FrustratedFinFan]

I am with Shabby on this one. I would prefer outreach in the form of more local tournaments, media coverage, Youtube videos, coaching DVD's from the masters (come on Vince, Norbert, Reggie...and others!!!), and events featuring the kind of fellowship I have experienced out here at the LA Open runs and CBSMF games (Thanks to Shabby, Dave, Ajah, Eric, Rick and Shawn and Bill Porche for making electrical football a wonderful experience). I think we are doing just fine nationwide. A good thing spreads rather easily...so play ball!