ErieBlogs.com: 1st Annual Erie Blogs Turkey Bowl

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1st Annual Erie Blogs Turkey Bowl

Posted by Richard on November 18, 2005

The 1st Annual Erie Blogs Turkey Bowl

When I was younger (and we’re only talking 5-10 years ago) there used to be a tradition where on Thanksgiving day we would hold a scrimmage football game. Carrying on that tradition, however hackneyed, I introduce the 1st Annual Erie Blogs Turkey Bowl to be held on Friday, November 25th. The touch football game will be held at Jefferson field (E. 36th and French) at 9:30 AM and should be over around 11.

I can’t attest to how many people will show up but I’m hoping for a semi-decent number (about 10 committed so far, looking for around 25). I’ve posted the rules for the game below. It’s not an exhaustive list but it should be enough to give some sort of structure to the game. Even if you’re not interested in playing we’re looking for some impartial referee’s (about 3) or even spectators (bring some hot chocolate to share). If you’re interested in reffing the only thing you need to be worried about is keeping time and making calls as to whether the player was down by two hand touch or not (very simple).

So join us the day after Thanksgiving to burn off the copious consumed amounts of calories from all that turkey, stuffing and whatever else you shoved down your throat the night before.

When: Friday, Nov. 25th, 2005
Time: 9:30 - 11 AM
Where: Jefferson Field at E. 36th and French
What: Two Hand Touch Football

Rules:
1. Time: The game will be 1 hour long with 3 breaks (5 minutes a piece); one at the 15 min mark, 30 and 45 min marks. Switch sides at half.
- Each team gets 2 time outs each half (total of 4) which do not carry over if not used during the first half. A team time-out lasts for 2 minutes.
- The clock will not stop except for time outs and 15 minute breaks (so running it out of bounds will not stop the clock).
- Official time outs can be instituted for technical matters (dealing with late comers, problems with field, etc, but not for hurt players —just get off the field).
2. Downs: The Field will be split in half where reaching mid-field gets you a first —and only— down. No other first downs, just the goal after reaching mid-field.
- There will be a kick-off to the receiving team on the first play and on every play after a touchdown. The kick-off will be from quarter field (think 25 yard line, half way between the zone and mid-field)
- Teams can punt on fourth. If the punt enters the end zone then the ball is placed at quarter field.
- Punts cannot be substituted with a throw.
3. Points: A touchdown is worth 1 point and there are no field goal attempts.
- In the event of a tie there will be a tie breaker (sudden death overtime). The receiving team at the start of the game will have the ball to start at overtime. First team to score wins.
4. Teams: Team captains will be chosen at random (flip of coin, rock-paper-scissors, who knows) from a pool of volunteers in which teams will be drawn from that point.
- A flip of a coin will determine who gets to pick first. Picking first means the other team gets the ball first. Winner of coin toss can decide whether to pick first or not.
- no more than 9 people on the field, per team, at any given time (total of 18 players max on field —no uneven numbers).
- in case there is more than 18 participants, extra players will be benched to each team but must be played in either offense or defense line-ups (read: alternate).
- players do not have to be alternated if they are injured or are winded (read: too old for this shit) and choose to be side-lined.
- players arriving late will be alternated to each team as they arrive, in the order they arrive.
- there WILL be contact on the front line. Since it’s inconceivable of any other alternative, touching that results in a tackle on the front line is expected (within reason).
- No holding, ever.
5. Referees: Ideally we would have 3 neutral refs: one by the quarterback and two on either side down field. A 4th ref could keep time.
- Refs will determine if a player is down (remember, two hands need to touch). Close call and the player is considered down.
- Refs will keep track of the time including stopping the watch during 15 minute breaks and team time-outs.
- Refs will give a 5 and 1 minute warning. These warnings do not stop the clock.
6. These are the rules. If you want NFL rules then go try out for the Steelers (or whoever). This is for fun.
- Any last minute, unforeseen problems with the rules will be decided by me (or someone more imposing).
- Team names will be determined by the captain for each side (keep it semi-clean).
- If you can’t play until 11 AM then don’t play. It sucks when people leave in the middle of a game.
- If you don’t want to play but want to watch, by all means, you’re welcome to. Bring a lawn chair and hot chocolate with you.
- Flagrant and unsportsmanlike conduct (like tackling a wide receiver, punching or calling someone’s mama a beotch) will either get you benched for a quarter or ejected.