Thursday, October 24, 2013
Why bout-by-bout rostering is good for a charter
For its first two years, my home league has done a 14 + alts structure for its two competitive teams. This has one positive aspect - a skater who works hard and maintains all requirements does not need to be worried about being bumped. And....that is about it. We could argue consistency, but odds are that between injuries and life changes it would be fortuitous indeed for even 14 of an original wftda charter to make it to season's end without interruption.
The (probably predictable) issue that comes up time and time again - captains and coaches basically pulling teeth for a good chunk of their roster to so much as make minimum requirements (showing up to 3/4 of practices, paying attention, trying hard, or even being on skates not required. People frequently just babysit the league president's dog. And still their team leadership is babysitting grown-ass (and in some cases flat out middle aged) women, prodding them to take some responsibility for themselves.
That is just sad on so many levels.
Every game roster has room for 14 players and 2 alternates. What that means? In a bad situation, it means that if you are stuck with an unholy flake who can't manage her life, you can just do without her. No mommying bullshit. Eventually she will either step it up or open a spot to someone who can handle it.
But let's move past that and assume the best. For one thing, this allows people to deal with both good and life events outside of derby WITHOUT FEELING GUILTY. Wedding? Grandma died? We are covered, the selections will just be made from a smaller pool. Same for resting from "minor" injuries.
And let's move on and consider a scenario in which you have 19 or even 20 healthy skaters who are making attendance. Let's assume you are playing a team known to be extremely skilled at pack manipulation, specifically goading and thinning through forcing blocker cuts. A skater with poor rules knowledge? Can't use her because she will cut and destroy the pack like crazy. Same for a blocker who doesn't push herself to navigate hostile packs. Does having this "sorry, not this time" conversation suck? Sure. Well, kind of.
This forces EVERYONE (leadership and skaters) to be aware of each skater's strengths and weaknesses. Whoa then. Chances to improve? Useful information in making line-ups and individual progression plans? Good things, all.
The (probably predictable) issue that comes up time and time again - captains and coaches basically pulling teeth for a good chunk of their roster to so much as make minimum requirements (showing up to 3/4 of practices, paying attention, trying hard, or even being on skates not required. People frequently just babysit the league president's dog. And still their team leadership is babysitting grown-ass (and in some cases flat out middle aged) women, prodding them to take some responsibility for themselves.
That is just sad on so many levels.
Every game roster has room for 14 players and 2 alternates. What that means? In a bad situation, it means that if you are stuck with an unholy flake who can't manage her life, you can just do without her. No mommying bullshit. Eventually she will either step it up or open a spot to someone who can handle it.
But let's move past that and assume the best. For one thing, this allows people to deal with both good and life events outside of derby WITHOUT FEELING GUILTY. Wedding? Grandma died? We are covered, the selections will just be made from a smaller pool. Same for resting from "minor" injuries.
And let's move on and consider a scenario in which you have 19 or even 20 healthy skaters who are making attendance. Let's assume you are playing a team known to be extremely skilled at pack manipulation, specifically goading and thinning through forcing blocker cuts. A skater with poor rules knowledge? Can't use her because she will cut and destroy the pack like crazy. Same for a blocker who doesn't push herself to navigate hostile packs. Does having this "sorry, not this time" conversation suck? Sure. Well, kind of.
This forces EVERYONE (leadership and skaters) to be aware of each skater's strengths and weaknesses. Whoa then. Chances to improve? Useful information in making line-ups and individual progression plans? Good things, all.
6.10.13.4 - The Slam and Sprint - Magical but Impractical
So let's take another look at 6.10.13.4, which dictates that when only one team of blockers is present on the track, they accelerate until sprinting or the pack can reform. This was obviously designed to punish "last jam" power jam scenarios of intentional skating out of bounds to prevent any defense whatsoever. But, but! Okay! Hitting all the blockers of the other team out of bounds is NOT pack destruction even if it destroys the pack, as hitting is "normal gamaplay". So, theoretically, the defending blockers could slam the conga line out of bounds, then print away before they could return. Yes? YES! Nearly impossible to execute, and odds are the refs wouldn't know what on earth was going on. But theroetically, yes, a magical counter to passive offense that is also sweet, sweet retribution for bitches who won't skate. Thank you and Amen.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
6.10.13.4 Out of Play - Not Running Away
Major Penalty If the out-of-play action has a measurable consequence for the game it is a major penalty.
6.10.13.4 During a no-pack scenario, if all of one team is out of bounds, the team on the track must skate forward, accelerating until they are sprinting, a pack has reformed, or a member of the opposing team may legally return to the track behind them. Has this ever been assessed? Out of play major....for not running away at top speed? What the holy fucking hell does all of this mean? Where did this come from? Here is a hint (I think):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au5BQvC-mmQ
What a time capsule! The angry teapot, given for someone....brushing an opponent during an apex jump.
My favorite part is when the NYSE blocker comes out of the box and SHOVES an opposing blocker.
That and the high-five line amid hearty boos. But if you catch it, on one of the passes, with two blockers already sent off for destruction, one NYSE blocker skates out of bounds entirely and grabs his teammate, pulling him off too.
NO PACK. Yep.
So I believe this rule was developed to ALLOW the other blockers in this scenario to sprint forward if this occurs. However, it is written and positioned in the ruleset in such a way that a team not savvy enough to
1) know this rule,
2) understand this rule, and
3) realize that the other team has left the track in sufficient time to react
and therefore doesn't take advantage of it will LOSE A BLOCKER FOR A MINUTE. This is utter fucking madness.
6.10.13.4 During a no-pack scenario, if all of one team is out of bounds, the team on the track must skate forward, accelerating until they are sprinting, a pack has reformed, or a member of the opposing team may legally return to the track behind them. Has this ever been assessed? Out of play major....for not running away at top speed? What the holy fucking hell does all of this mean? Where did this come from? Here is a hint (I think):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au5BQvC-mmQ
What a time capsule! The angry teapot, given for someone....brushing an opponent during an apex jump.
My favorite part is when the NYSE blocker comes out of the box and SHOVES an opposing blocker.
That and the high-five line amid hearty boos. But if you catch it, on one of the passes, with two blockers already sent off for destruction, one NYSE blocker skates out of bounds entirely and grabs his teammate, pulling him off too.
NO PACK. Yep.
So I believe this rule was developed to ALLOW the other blockers in this scenario to sprint forward if this occurs. However, it is written and positioned in the ruleset in such a way that a team not savvy enough to
1) know this rule,
2) understand this rule, and
3) realize that the other team has left the track in sufficient time to react
and therefore doesn't take advantage of it will LOSE A BLOCKER FOR A MINUTE. This is utter fucking madness.
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