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Post by r2daic12 on Jul 31, 2012 18:52:14 GMT -5
Was reading on OSC a post in which a member called upon the league to change the kick-off rules in some way for 2013. While I agree that the current rules suck, if I am not mistaking the AFL owns the rights to the use of live nets for KRs, etc. That being said, I agree that at least SOMETHING should be done to make kick-offs more exciting. As a Panthers fan, I will admit I was more than a little concerned when I learned that after 5 years of seeing arenaball with the SouthGeorgia Wildcats, we where playing indoor ball. Wasnt too sure about the ''UNO'' at first but I must say, after three years, the ''UNO'' must stay. It probably helps we have had some pretty good kickers (Juan Bongarra and Geoff Boyer both left to play in the AFL) but nonetheless, I definately enjoy this aspect of the Kick-offs. As I said earlier, the PIFL does need to at least tweak the rule a bit. In a perfect world they would be able to use the nets, but dont see it happening. I know Albany would be at an advantage with this as they already have the nets, but if the league were to go live with the nets I believe every other team would have to have them installed, which leads me to believe further it will never happen. I would like to know more opinions/suggestions on this topic, let me know what you think.
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Post by 50 Yard Fan on Jul 31, 2012 19:03:29 GMT -5
I believe the patent on the rebound nets expired a number of years ago, so any league can use them. They are just too expensive and would not work in some arena's.
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 31, 2012 19:05:16 GMT -5
Any league can use the nets now, the AFL's rights on that expired a few years ago. I don't think any of the indoor leagues want to use the nets though as there is a significant cost in adding them, plus some indoor arenas are not really big enough for them. If any league were to do it though, it would be the PIFL (but I doubt they'll do it). Personally I think kickoff rules are fine in the PIFL. They could add the rouge (if you fail to return the ball out of the end zone, the kickoff team gets 1 point).
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Post by gatek99 on Jul 31, 2012 20:08:11 GMT -5
why cant you just buy a cheap net and not the AFL style with the poles around it
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 31, 2012 20:45:04 GMT -5
In the end the nets are a gimmick and aren't needed.
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Post by r2daic12 on Jul 31, 2012 22:08:37 GMT -5
Didnt know about the patent being expired. As I said in the post though, the Panthers already have nets. However, I know they are expensive and that nobody has them as well. The rouge is a good idea, but still doesnt remedy the high amount of times the kick-off is just a useless play.
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Post by exit322 on Jul 31, 2012 22:09:22 GMT -5
Didnt know about the patent being expired. As I said in the post though, the Panthers already have nets. However, I know they are expensive and that nobody has them as well. The rouge is a good idea, but still doesnt remedy the high amount of times the kick-off is just a useless play. Eliminating the UNO and putting out of bounds kickoffs at midfield would remedy that problem.
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Post by r2daic12 on Jul 31, 2012 22:18:33 GMT -5
About the nets being a gimmick.... I both agree and disagree and heres why; Disagreement #1. The excitement of an opening kick-off is second to none, for myself at least. Having that taken from the game at any level, in any form, is crazy. #2 The possibility of highlight-reel plays increases with kick-off returns. Agreement- However, watching a kicker intentionally aim for the bar surrounding the nets with the hope of their team getting down to cover it does seem more like a gimmick, and I have personally seen it used more than once.
I guess what I would suggest is if the nets were put in play, adjust the rules involving the nets. For example, the kicking team has to allow the return man to attempt to field the ball before recovering and, for safety, before initiating contact.
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 31, 2012 22:41:25 GMT -5
To me the meat of football is plays other than special teams. Special teams have their place, but I don't see a need to make them a bigger part of the game honestly. Adding gimmicks to special teams ruins the game for me. When a ball bounces off the nets funny and is hard to recover, that is not football to me but some gimmick game. I prefer the rules where if a kickoff goes out of bounds the ball is spotted at the 20 (some like the 25, but the field is short enough already IMHO). If the return guy touches it and is unable to haul it in and it goes out of bounds, then the ball is spotted at the 5. The rouge and uno are not part of normal football, but to me are nice touches for the indoor game that don't take away from the game itself. I don't watch the AFL anymore, but when I tried I always despised when a kick bounced funny and the kicking team recovered it because of that. Just my preferences, but everyone is different.
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Post by Bouncer_Texxx on Jul 31, 2012 23:27:35 GMT -5
I beg to differ on the rouge, eh. It's not a part of American outdoor football, but north of the border is a different story, don't ya know.
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Post by snakebitn on Aug 4, 2012 20:41:48 GMT -5
The AFL net patents expired at the end of the 2008 season if I remember correctly.
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