-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Glendinning [mailto:kwg@nbnet.nb.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, 11 May, 2005 09:43
To: CFOA EXEC/OTC; CFOA ONTARIO OFFICIALS ASSOC.; CFOA MEMBER ASSOC.
Cc: BOB SWAN
Subject: APPROVED RULE CHANGE


NOTICE OF RULE CHANGE TO ALL CFOA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

Yesterday, May 10, 2005, the Football Canada Rules Committee held a
teleconference to discuss and vote on a rule change proposal in regards to
Interference as per Rule 4  Section 5  Article 1  page 32 of the 2004 - 2005
Canadian Rule Book for Tackle Football.

The proposal was to add the following paragraph to the said 4: 5: 1 as
follows:
"ON ANY PLAY, BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST IS ILLEGAL EXCEPT IN THE CLOSE LINE
PLAY AREA BY A PLAYER WHO IS OCCUPYING A POSITION IN THIS AREA AT THE SNAP
OF THE BALL".

The proposed ruling was passed unanimously by the Rules Committee.  The
rational in determining this rule change is the safety factor for the
athletes.  The rule change will virtually eliminate any low blocks (cut
blocks) in the open field of play except against the ball carrier.  It is
felt that this rule change will further decrease the potential for injury,
as well as increase consistency related to blocking.

THIS RULE CHANGE IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IS
TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN ADDITIONAL PARAGRAPH TO RULE 5  SECTION 5  ARTICLE 1.

Bill Glendinning
Secretary- Treasurer, CFOA

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Glendinning [mailto:kwg@nbnet.nb.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, 11 May, 2005 13:49
To: CFOA EXEC/OTC; CFOA MEMBER ASSOC.; CFOA ONTARIO OFFICIALS ASSOC.
Cc: BOB SWAN
Subject: RULE CHANGE CLARIFICATION


It has been brought to my attention that I gave conflicting rule references
in my original notice of the rule change.

The rule change re Interference is RULE 4  SECTION 5  ART  1 under the list
of Definitions related to Interference.  The rule change is merely an
addition to Article 1 and in no way changes the interpretation of the other
paragraphs that make up the Article.

I will be in touch with Ken Green (Rules Interpreter) on Monday of next week
re penalty application - he is presently in Winnipeg at the CFL camp/clinic.

I will send out that info next week, ASAP.

Bill G.


i-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Glendinning [mailto:kwg@nbnet.nb.ca]
Sent: Monday, 16 May, 2005 10:02
To: CFOA EXEC/OTC; CFOA MEMBER ASSOC.; CFOA ONTARIO OFFICIALS ASSOC.
Cc: BOB SWAN
Subject: RULE CLARIFICATIONS


TO: CFOA Member Associations
FROM:  Bill Glendinning and Ken Green
TOPIC: Rule Clarifications / Interpretations re Rule Change in regards to
Blocking Below the Waist, Addition to Rule 4: Section 5: Article 1
"ON ANY PLAY, BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST IS ILLEGAL EXCEPT IN THE CLOSE LINE
PLAY AREA BY A PLAYER WHO IS OCCUPYING A POSITION IN THIS AREA AT THE SNAP
OF THE BALL"

A number of questions have been forwarded to us since announcement of this
rule change by Football Canada.  I have contacted Ken Green, Editor and
Rules' Interpreter, for answers/rulings to your questions.

Quest:  What & how is the  penalty is to be applied for infractions under
this rule?
Ans:  The penalty is to be applied as per normal "Blocking Below the Waist"
infractions - i.e. L10 applied at the appropriate point of application.
NOTE: All rulings re infractions as pertaining to "Crack Back Blocks" and
"Delayed Knee Blocks (Hi-Lows) are still in effect.  These are U. R.
infractions and will be penalized as such - L15 from appropriate point of
application.

Quest:  On special plays (Short Yardage, Goal Line, Converts, etc.) is it
permissible for players lined up in a Tight End Position to legally block
below the waist?
Ans: NO, as they are in a position outside the Close Line Play Area and thus
MAY NOT legally block below the waist.  The Close Line Play Area is defined
as the area between the Offensive Tackles within 2 yards on either side of
the Line of Scrimmage (Rule 7: 1: 2(1), page 52).  The definition of the
CLPA is not to be extended to include players lining up outside the
Offensive Tackles.

Quest:  Is it permissible to have players line up in close proximity behind
the "line" players and then block below the waist in the CLPA?
Ans:   YES, provided that the player(s) is lined up behind the line
player(s) in close enough position that the said player is within the 2 yard
restriction of the CLPA. The player(s)  must be in a set position within the
CLPA and not go in motion prior to the snap of the ball in order to be in a
legal position to block below the waist in the CLPA. The said player(s) are
NOT then permitted to retreat to a normal backfield position and then block
below the waist.

Quest:  Are players permitted to utilize a  "Pop and Drop" blocking
technique anywhere on the playing field?
Ans:  YES, provided that the first contact is above the waist and contact is
maintained though out the entire blocking procedure.  A player(s) may NOT
make initial contact above the waist, release and then make contact below
the waist - this would be considered as two separate blocks, the second
being illegal unless it meets the criteria as set out in the approved rule
change for the CLPA.
This also pertains to a player(s) being forced to make "low" contact due to
an opponent's action(s).  The opponent's action(s) caused the "low" contact
thus making the "low" block legal - see the whole action.

SPECIAL NOTES:  The National Federation of State High School Associations in
the USA have adopted a similar rule to the one we now are placing into
effect.  An additional limitation that they will have is that only Line
Players may block below the waist in the CLPA.

The CFOA Exam will be available shortly after May 25 and will be forwarded
form the Football Canada office to CFOA contact persons.

For any further information or questions in regards to this rule change,
please contact Ken Green, Rule Book Editor and Rules Interpreter

Bill Glendinning
Secretary-Treasurer, CFOA