With the City Section now having more girls flag football teams (93) than 11-man teams (71), the growing popularity of the sport is clear. But the sport faces a huge challenge when official practice begins on Aug. 8 — rule changes.
Confusion among all the stakeholders — coaches, players, officials, parents — is certain to take place in the early games.
That was evident during a meeting on Wednesday. City Section coaches received a briefing from Nelson Bae, the section’s rules interpreter. There were so many questions that City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos had to halt them or the meeting would have lasted for hours. Coaches were told to submit their questions later.
A national rulebook was established by the National Federation of State High School Assns. and some of the changes are massive, such as the addition of punting and screen blocking.
“Crazy stuff is going to happen,” Bae told the coaches. “All of us are going to have to adjust. I’ve already seen some things, ‘This is going to be a problem.’”
Screen blocking could be a vocal point of confusion because, as Bae said, penalties could be called on every play similar to holding in 11-man football. No contact is allowed when blocking but deciding who made the contact and who receives the penalty will be the judgment call that could have parents yelling in the bleachers if they don’t understand the correct interpretation.
Coaches are having to train players not to use their hands and rushers can’t run into moving screens or a penalty is supposed to be called.
“Go around,” Bae advised.
It will be confusing in early games, particularly until everyone adjusts.
There will be four playoff divisions, up from three last season, as the sport enters its third season in the City Section.
Coaches have been seeking out soccer players to serve as punters. Prepare for the unexpected this fall.