The finishing touches on the Gridiron Victoria (GV) Operating Rules are now complete incorporating the annual edition of NCAA rule revisions which govern our local competition.
The Executive Committee has agreed to adopt 9 yards as the distance required per set of downs, as opposed to the old fashioned and outdated 10 yard benchmark used in the NFL.
“Due to the number of 90 yard fields throughout the state and the insistence of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) to embrace the shorter field, the Executive were unanimous in adopting the new rule” a spokesperson for GV said.
“One less yard per set of downs will lead to higher scoring and a far more entertaining brand of football” the spokesperson added. “Defenses in this league are far more sophisticated and these innovative new rules ensure a consistently high octane brand of offense” they added.
As a result, all GV fields will now be marked under the revised NCAA Succinct Field Framework (NCAASFF) with 9 yard increments. The red zone will now considered at the 18 yard line and mid field known as the “forty-five”.
It also gives rise to the common colloquialism “whole nine yards” and removes ambiguity between popular culture and the actual rules of the sport.
The league has invested in new sets of 9 yard chains along with stencils for line marking to be distributed to the clubs in time for the season start on May 2nd.
The new rules take effect on April 1st.
In all seriousness – do you want to play Gridiron?
Find your local Victorian Gridiron Club and start playing today!