Category: Officiating

Posts related to Officiating activities

IAFOA Newsflash 21 July

News, Rules questions & Game Information

Newsflash 21 July

Another reminder as we approach the Shamrock Bowl – IAFL is playing NCAA overtime regulations this season.

Key points

  1. coin toss at beginning of overtime – options are offence/defence/end of field
  2. series of two possessions from 25 yard line – highest score after series wins
  3. one time out for each team in each period of overtime (unused timeouts do not carry over)
  4. possession ends with a score or offence not making 1st down
  5. after 2 periods of overtime, teams scoring a touchdown must attempt a 2 pt PAT (a 1pt PAT will be ignored)

There are some rules questions in this edition of Newsflash related to overtime. I will publish some more next week.

IAFOA Newsflash 7 July

News, Rules questions & Game Information

Newsflash 7 July

Now were into Playoffs – a suitable reminder that the IAFL is playing NCAA overtime regulations this season.

Key points

  1. coin toss at beginning of overtime – options are offence/defence/end of field
  2. series of two possessions from 25 yard line – highest score after series wins
  3. one time out for each team in each period of overtime (unused timeouts do not carry over)
  4. possession ends with a score or offence not making 1st down
  5. after 2 periods of overtime, teams scoring a touchdown must attempt a 2 pt PAT (a 1pt PAT will be ignored)

Irish Referee to Officiate in EuroBowl Final

IAFOA referee, Michael Smith (pictured with white cap), has been appointed to the officiating crew for the EuroBowl Final. EuroBowl XXV will take place in Innsbruck, Austria on June 18th 2011. The finalists are the defending Euro Bowl Champions, Berlin Adler and Austrian team Tyrolean Raiders.  The EuroBowl is the American football equivalent of soccers Champions League. It features the best professional teams from across the continent selected from Europes elite domestic leagues. The game will be televised live, kick-off 8:30 local time (see www.eurobowl.info for further details).

Michael Smith is one of three Irish officials who are on the European Federation list for International club and national team competitions. He has officiated in several high profile European ties in recent years. In Ireland, he officiates in the IAFL most weekends and has refereed several Shamrock Bowl finals. As with the Superbowl in the US, the neutral officials appointed to the EuroBowl earn the honour due to outstanding performances in previous European ties. Mr. Smith is the third IAFOA official to officate in the EuroBowl final, following in the footsteps of Steve Stacher (1980s) and Veikko Laminsalo (2002).

Rule changes in place for 2011 season in Ireland

At last, you can review the rule changes and how they will apply in Ireland.

This quick summary is taken from a more extensive presentation given at the EFAF Officials Clinic in Prague on 15-16 Jan.

IAFA 2011

For those going to the IAFOA Level 1 & 2 Clinics, the new rules will be reviewed further including a good video on the Wedge Blocking Rule change.

Any questions – please contact me by e-mail with your query.

Tony Rivers

Newsflash #13 – 13 June 2010

This weeks game management issues, schedule & rules items
Newsflash 13 June

Atlantic Cup – Assistants required

as you are aware the Atlantic will take place on 26th & 27th June 2010. There will be four games (2 semi-finals on Saturday and the bronze medal game and final on Sunday). The officiating crews will be made up of officials from Britain, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

However, 9 ancilliary officials are required for each game – chain crew (3 people), ball persons (2 for each team = 4 for each game) and statisticians (2 for each game).

Each team is required to provide 3 people for one of the Atlantic Cup games. These people do not need to be offcials – any three members (players, coaches, etc) can be nominated. This was agreed at the last IAFA Board meeting so is compulsory for ALL teams.

Could you please forward me the names of your three people and which game is their preferred game by 6pm on Sunday evening. If more than 3 teams pick the same game the first 3 to reply will get their choice. The games are:
SF1 – 12 noon Saturday – Brussels Bulls v Lelystad Commanders
SF2 – 3pm Saturday – UL Vikings v Dudelane Dragons 3rd/4th place – 12 noon Sunday Final – 3pm Sunday.

Michael Smith,
Atlantic Cup LOC.