Our 2016 Operating Rules are now finalised.
Gridiron Victoria will enact one major new rule change for the 2016 men’s season as it endeavours to maintain its extraordinary growth rate of recent years, along with its mantle as the biggest, best and most innovative league in Australia.
One of the more egregious and discriminatory rules of the sport is ineligible player downfield, that only 6 players are designated as permitted within the rules to be actively engaged (for instance being thrown the football) whilst the remaining 5 players (typically those on the offensive line) are not, thus not permitted beyond the line of scrimmage.
Gridiron Victoria will be removing the rule which stipulates eligibility, meaning all 11 players on offense can be engaged in any play.
we feel it is time to allow those who toil on the offensive line to enjoy maximum playing opportunities GV representative
“American Football is wholly unique in that it welcomes extreme diversity in all shapes and sizes, particularly our larger players” explained a GV representative when called for comment.
“Size is definitely celebrated and as we always look to bolster our playing ranks of all sizes we feel it is time to allow those who toil on the line to enjoy maximum playing opportunities” they added.
The league expects to see far more potent offensive systems as co-ordinators look to take advantage of additional weapons (albeit relatively slow moving), lead blocking and an assortment of goal line gadgets.