The Irish Game

moninghaly · 14-01-2013 11:45am

davetherave wrote: »

I'll be seeing you later in the season so. Boards madden league friendships mean nothing on the pitch :mad:

that's right

macker20 · 20-01-2013 9:23pm

Drogheda Lightning wrote: »

Your soooo much closer to Drogheda Lightning. Training every Sunday St Olivers CC Drogheda 12.30pm to 3.30pm & New players are always welcome. Pm me for more info if you like.

facebook.com/Droghedalightning.ie

"You're" closer to Trim....by 18.4km according to google.

TO. · 20-01-2013 9:25pm

Ooh can I join in on this? I reckon you are much closer to DCU to be fair. We train every Sunday 12-3 on the astros

macker20 · 20-01-2013 9:28pm

Jump in...

Guffy · 20-01-2013 10:13pm

macker20 wrote: »

Jump in...

Ah lads Galway's only down the road from ye on the motorway. Training Sundays 1.30-3.30ish

neddynono · 22-01-2013 11:40pm

mikemac1 wrote: »

Saw the Dragons today in Lucan and bashed off an email to the team asking to join

I have the coverage skills of Revis and can be a top defensive back
Christ knows what I can contribute with my lack of fitness but I'll do my best if they'll have me

How are the dragons treating you? Hope to join up soon

KH25 · 27-01-2013 12:33am

What would be the closest team to Dublin City Centre? Been thinking of taking up the sport for the last few weeks.

Vikings · 28-01-2013 11:33am

Most Dublin teams are just a bus journey away.

Rhinos: Castleknock
Dragons: Lucan
Saints: DCU
Rebels: Play in Santry train in Booterstown

Depends which is easiest for you to get to

Q_Ball · 28-01-2013 11:11pm

There's also a team in Tullamore if that's handy for anyone

decies · 28-02-2013 11:24pm

Good luck to Waterford Wolves on Sunday 1pm
http://joannaryde.podomatic.com/entry/2013-02-28T05_33_29-08_00

Amirani · 03-03-2013 6:03pm

Trinity beat UL today, surprising result.

Arrow in the Knee · 10-05-2013 10:32am

So I thinking of joining one of the IAFA teams probably next year as the season has already started.

So I have a few questions that I would liked answered.

1)When does training usual start? January, February?
2)Do I need to bring pads,helmet and gear etc... to training or are they provided?
3)How long are the games? 15 minutes x 4 quarters?
4)Size of the field. The same as the NFL?
5)Level of fitness?
6)What day of the week are the games on and how many games per season?
7)Any special/different rules in the IAFA compared to the NFL?
8)Also how many officials during the game?

If I have anymore questions I'll ask.:)

troyzer · 10-05-2013 10:42am

Arrow in the Knee wrote: »

So I thinking of joining one of the IAFA teams probably next year as the season has already started.

So I have a few questions that I would liked answered.

1)When does training usual start? January, February?
2)Do I need to bring pads,helmet and gear etc... to training or are they provided?
3)How long are the games? 15 minutes x 4 quarters?
4)Size of the field. The same as the NFL?
5)Level of fitness?
6)What day of the week are the games on and how many games per season?
7)Any special/different rules in the IAFA compared to the NFL?
8)Also how many officials during the game?

If I have anymore questions I'll ask.:)

I used to play in the IAFL until I stopped because of injuries. So here goes!
1) Training is usually year round with a bit of a Christmas break. You can understand that it's an incredibly complicated game and can take months of training to nail down a play book.
2) No, they usually provide it all. Most teams will give you the chance to buy your own later if you want. You'll probably have to buy your pants which they'll sell to you. But the jerseys, pads and helmets are provided. All you would need to bring up your first time are boots and the usual training gear like shorts, water etc.
3) Games are 15 X 4 yep.
4) An important thing to note is that the IAFL doesn't use NFL rules. It uses NCAA rules. They are mostly similar but there are some differences in catching, point after attempts, tackling etc. But it's basically the same game and field size.
5) Your level of fitness really is irrelevant. I went up with no fitness whatsoever. It's a very highly specialised game and no matter what your build, size or fitness I guarantee there's a position that suits. Having said that, games do go on for three hours and most training sessions do too. You'll be getting fit once you start fairly quickly.
6) Games are usually on a Sunday and there aren't too many. 8-10 a season. But you'll also have a few friendlies as well and a few 8's games if you're a rookie. 8's is what it sounds like. Eight on Eight football with a smaller field, different rules and no special teams (kicking). They usually play this after the season ends so that the new players can get going. So you should join during the summer to take advantage!
7) Like I said, they use NCAA rules which are mostly similar.
8) They try to get as many as they can. You're supposed to have seven, but most of the time you can get away with five. This is the one area the IAFL is ****ty at. The officiating can be really bad sometimes. I lost a few games based on really awful calls.

Any further questions just ask!

Gweedling · 10-05-2013 2:46pm

The rules for modern-day football date back to a formal beginning in 1876, when a set of 61 rules governing how this game would be played. Since then and with the advent of pro football, two sets of rules have slowly evolved with some major differences between the NCAA and NFL.
These ten differences have been simplified to make them more easily understandable and they may have several other rules or interpretations depending upon game circumstances.
1. PLAYING FIELD
Both college and pros play on the same size field 100 yards long (with ten-yard end-zones) and 53 1/3 yards wide. The main difference on-field is the one-yard hash marks running down the ‘middle of the gridiron in the pros are aligned to the goal posts (70 feet 9 inches from each sideline). NCAA hash-marks are set wider apart – only 60 feet from the side – giving a wider field to one side and increasing the angles for field goals when the ball is spotted on the hash.
2. GOAL POSTS
The goal posts are also different widths. The college uprights are 23′ 4″ apart, while the NFL gives its kickers a much narrower target – 18′ 6″ between the posts. This somewhat offsets the extra angle college kickers face with their wider hash-marks.
3. THE BALL
Both the NCAA and the NFL footballs have the same basic specifications but the college ball has a white stripe around the ends (added to make it easier to see the ball in flight in night games)
4. DOWNED RUNNER
A college player carrying the ball is classed as down when any part of his body (except his boots and hands/wrist) touches the ground. In the NFL, a downed player has to have been touched as he goes to ground (or on the ground) by an opposing player – otherwise he can get up and carry on running. A college player – even if he stumbles and falls over on his own – is down at that spot and cannot get up.
5. OUT OF BOUNDS
In college football, a receiver must have control of the ball and get one foot down in-bounds for it to be considered a catch. In the NFL, a receiver must have clear control of the ball and get both feet down.

Source: Here

1 and 2 don't mean much over here as the games are played on Rugby pitches, so the field and goalpost size are different anyway. The only rules that make a difference to the game played in Ireland are 4 and 5.

TO. · 10-05-2013 3:20pm

Gweedling wrote: »

Source: Here

1 and 2 don't mean much over here as the games are played on Rugby pitches, so the field and goalpost size are different anyway. The only rules that make a difference to the game played in Ireland are 4 and 5.

1 and 2 do have significance as the Hash marks come into play. In the NFL they are marked off the uprights and in the NCAA they are marked by measuring from the sideline. Makes a big difference to the width of the playing field.

TO. · 10-05-2013 3:29pm

As someone who coached in the league I will add to this:

troyzer wrote: »

I used to play in the IAFL until I stopped because of injuries. So here goes!
1) Training is usually year round with a bit of a Christmas break. You can understand that it's an incredibly complicated game and can take months of training to nail down a play book.

Spot on

2) No, they usually provide it all. Most teams will give you the chance to buy your own later if you want. You'll probably have to buy your pants which they'll sell to you. But the jerseys, pads and helmets are provided. All you would need to bring up your first time are boots and the usual training gear like shorts, water etc.

Not all teams provide equipment so be careful with this one. Some team have limited amount of spare equipment for new guys to use starting off but very few have lots of sets of spare equipment. You would be best checking with each individual team to see what they offer.

3) Games are 15 X 4 yep.

Yup

4) An important thing to note is that the IAFL doesn't use NFL rules. It uses NCAA rules. They are mostly similar but there are some differences in catching, point after attempts, tackling etc. But it's basically the same game and field size.

As I mentioned in the other post the Hash marks are marked to NCAA spec. The IAFL also uses the NFL's pass interference rule. As in the its marked from the spot of the foul rather than 15 yards from the last spot like in the NCAA. There was talk it was changing back to the NCAA rule but I am not sure they did.

5) Your level of fitness really is irrelevant. I went up with no fitness whatsoever. It's a very highly specialised game and no matter what your build, size or fitness I guarantee there's a position that suits. Having said that, games do go on for three hours and most training sessions do too. You'll be getting fit once you start fairly quickly.

True a good team will whip you into shape in no time. Helps to do some on your own time also as it is a very demanding game.

6) Games are usually on a Sunday and there aren't too many. 8-10 a season. But you'll also have a few friendlies as well and a few 8's games if you're a rookie. 8's is what it sounds like. Eight on Eight football with a smaller field, different rules and no special teams (kicking). They usually play this after the season ends so that the new players can get going. So you should join during the summer to take advantage!

8's football is gone now. There is the Shamrock Bowl Conference and the IAFL 1 which was the 8's. All the rookie teams start in the IAFL 1. Most of the friendly tournies are going to 11's now that all the new team have moved off 8's. Might get the odd friendly playing 8's

7) Like I said, they use NCAA rules which are mostly similar.

Yup

8) They try to get as many as they can. You're supposed to have seven, but most of the time you can get away with five. This is the one area the IAFL is ****ty at. The officiating can be really bad sometimes. I lost a few games based on really awful calls.

Min of 4 these days. White cap, Umpire and two sideline guys. With so many 11's games now they are fairly stretched. So it is common to only see 4 or 5 of them. For the Semis and Final you will see full man crews.

Gweedling · 10-05-2013 3:35pm

TO. wrote: »

1 and 2 do have significance as the Hash marks come into play. In the NFL they are marked off the uprights and in the NCAA they are marked by measuring from the sideline. Makes a big difference to the width of the playing field.

Apologies, I wasn't 100% on the hash mark thing as the pitch size is different anyway.

Also, as the OP is asking for differences in the game and not specifics with rules, am I right in remembering that most teams will go for the 2 point conversion following a TD instead of kicking? I think I read something about that a while back, can someone confirm?

TO. · 10-05-2013 3:44pm

Gweedling wrote: »

Apologies, I wasn't 100% on the hash mark thing as the pitch size is different anyway.

Also, as the OP is asking for differences in the game and not specifics with rules, am I right in remembering that most teams will go for the 2 point conversion following a TD instead of kicking? I think I read something about that a while back, can someone confirm?

A lot of team have started to kick now. It varies from team to team. Most teams just never kicked as it was easier to go for 2 in some cases. Its a mixed bag now as to who does and who doesn't.

davetherave · 10-05-2013 5:19pm

The PI rule has changed such that, if it is less than 15 yards from the LOS, then it is a spot foul. If it occurs farther than 15 yards then it is a 15 yard penalty. Could be wrong but that is my understanding of it from the sidelines anyway.

TO. · 10-05-2013 5:29pm

davetherave wrote: »

The PI rule has changed such that, if it is less than 15 yards from the LOS, then it is a spot foul. If it occurs farther than 15 yards then it is a 15 yard penalty. Could be wrong but that is my understanding of it from the sidelines anyway.

Yup that's it alright. I knew they were reverting to it wasn't sure had it come in yet. This is the penalty from the NCAA Rulebook

PENALTY—Team A’s ball at the spot of the foul, first down, if the foul
occurs fewer than 15 yards beyond the previous spot. If the foul
occurs 15 or more yards beyond the previous spot, Team A’s
ball, first down, 15 yards from the previous spot [S33].

When the ball is snapped on or inside the Team B 17-yard line
and outside the Team B two-yard line, and the spot of the foul
is on or inside the two-yard line, the penalty from the previous
spot shall place the ball at the two-yard line, first down (A.R.
7-3-8-XIV).

No penalty enforced from outside the two-yard line may place
the ball inside the two-yard line (Exception: On the Try when
the snap is at the three-yard line, Rule 10-2-5-b).
If the previous spot was on or inside the two-yard line, first
down halfway between the previous spot and the goal line (Rule
10-2-6 Exception).

Gweedling · 10-05-2013 5:45pm

TO. wrote: »

Most teams just never kicked as it was easier to go for 2 in some cases.

At a risk of derailing the OP, why was this? generally difficult to get a good kicker or generally poor defence unable to protect against a short run/short pass game? Something I've always been interested in, as from watching the NFL the 2 point conversion is something only ever done if absolutely necessary/already way in the lead with not much time left on the clock.

TO. · 10-05-2013 5:48pm

Gweedling wrote: »

At a risk of derailing the OP, why was this? generally difficult to get a good kicker or generally poor defence unable to protect against a short run/short pass game? Something I've always been interested in, as from watching the NFL the 2 point conversion is something only ever done if absolutely necessary/already way in the lead with not much time left on the clock.

Teams found it easier to score 2pt conversions. But on top of that most teams could find decent kickers but as I have said many times in here before a lot of people dont realise how hard it is to find a solid long snapper and holder. Generally in the IAFL when a kick goes wrong the long snap is either too slow or just crap and the holder then cant get the ball down in time or at all and the kicker doesn't stand a chance.

Having said all that most teams are working on it better now. With better coaching and time and dedication more kicks are being kicked.

Arrow in the Knee · 12-05-2013 4:56pm

How much does the ball weigh and dimensions in the IAFL?

Is there Offensive and Defensive MVP's awarded after every game?

TO. · 12-05-2013 7:19pm

Arrow in the Knee wrote: »

How much does the ball weigh and dimensions in the IAFL?

Is there Offensive and Defensive MVP's awarded after every game?

The IAFL uses NCAA Spec college footballs. As too how much they weigh? That is a new one for me. Never been asked that before. And as for the awards most teams award their own awards at the end of games. The league on whole does not.

Specifications

ARTICLE 1. The ball shall meet the following specifications:
a. New or nearly new. (A nearly new ball is a ball that has not been altered and
retains the properties and qualities of a new ball.)
b. Cover consisting of four panels of pebble-grained leather without
corrugations other than seams.

FR-20 Rule 1 / The Game, Field, Players and Equipment
c. One set of eight equally spaced lacings.
d. Natural tan color.
e. Two 1-inch white stripes that are three to three-and-one-quarter inches from
the end of the ball and located only on the two panels adjacent to the laces.
f. Conforms to maximum and minimum dimensions and shape indicated in the
accompanying diagram.
g. Inflated to the pressure of 12-1/2 to 13-1/2 pounds per square inch (psi).
h. Weight of 14 to 15 ounces.
i. The ball may not be altered. This includes the use of any ball-drying
substance. Mechanical ball-drying devices are not permitted near the
sidelines or in the team area.
j. Professional football league logos are prohibited.
k. Advertising is prohibited on the ball [Exceptions: (1) Ball manufacturer’s
name or logo, (2) institutional logo, (3) conference logo, and (4) AFCA
logo].

Lothaar v2 · 13-05-2013 4:36pm

Games are 4 x 12 minute quarters (not 15). There's usually four or five officials at games, with seven for the Bowl game. No minimum fitness level required, although you'd obviously perform better if you're fitter.

When teams don't kick PATs it's usually because they don't have a good kicking unit as a whole - blocking, snapping and holding are all at least as important as the actual kick.

Arrow in the Knee · 14-05-2013 4:18pm

How did Glen Baker fair out?

Used to be in the IAFL but got a scholarship in the USA.

TO. · 14-05-2013 6:16pm

Arrow in the Knee wrote: »

How did Glen Baker fair out?

Used to be in the IAFL but got a scholarship in the USA.

He went to a private DIII college in Massachusetts.

Arrow in the Knee · 17-05-2013 12:05pm

Do teams during training go to the gym or is it just field work, drills, playbooks etc...

Or is gym work just for the winter months or just do it off your own back to build up strenght?

TO. · 17-05-2013 1:40pm

Arrow in the Knee wrote: »

Do teams during training go to the gym or is it just field work, drills, playbooks etc...

Or is gym work just for the winter months or just do it off your own back to build up strenght?

Depends on the team. I know 3 teams who have gym sessions mid week and field sessions at the weekend especially in the offseason.

Bateman · 03-07-2013 8:29pm

What's the story with the Irish game, any news on it? Big Ben is in the country tonight and is having dinner with Dan Rooney in a city centre restaurant that I won't name. I think they are going to some event in the ambassador's residence tomorrow night. Hopefully to talk about getting this game on

The Irish Game

Comments