OK...here is a question for those of you who have a problem with the new SWAC rule.
If this rule sucks so bad, what do you recommend be done knowing that there is a problem that has to be fixed. It was stated in the press release that their were complaints about the band playing while calling signals.
So knowing this...what do you do?
If you want answers, here are somethings that I think can be done.
1)
REMOVE THAT ALTERNATING PLAYING CRAP!!! IF YOU'RE NOT READY TO PLAY AT THE RIGHT TIME AND THE OTHER BAND CRANKS UP BEFORE YOU, TOUGH ISHT!!!
2) Bands should be allowed to play within a reasonable volume as long as the teams are not directly in front of them or they aren't turned in the direction of the football teams. Even then, when the teams go to the huddle, the volume must be brought down to give the teams an opportunity to hear the play call. The volume should remain low until the ball is snapped or a timeout or penalty is called.
3) If the teams are in front of the bands, instruments should not be played while the team is in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. Once the ball has been snapped, bands are free to play until the teams return to the huddle or, if a team is running a no-huddle offense, when they get to the line of scrimmage. An exception to this rule should be percussion. Percussion sections are allowed to play if the teams are directly in front of the bands provided that they bring the volume down while the teams are in the huddle or at the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is snapped, normal playing is allowed until the teams return to the huddle or, if a team is utilizing the no-huddle, when the teams approach the line of scrimmage.
4) Sectional "challenges" or "fanfares" are to follow the same rules as the percussion section provided they are playing prior to the teams getting in the huddle or at the line of scrimmage. If they haven't started playing before the team gets to the huddle or the line of scrimmage, they must wait until the ball is snapped.
5) Violation of these rules with constitute the following:
- First offense- Verbal warning to the band(s) by the officiating crew
- Second offense- Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the band with a 10 yard penalty assessed against the team of the violating band.
- Third offense- Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the band and a 15 yard penalty assessed to the team. This is the band's final warning.
- Fourth offense- Band is ejected from the game and must leave the stands immediately. The SWAC Office shall suspend the offending band for 1 game and place them on a "probationary" status for the remainder of the year.
- Any further offenses by a band under "probationary" status shall have said band suspended 5 games. Suspensions can carry over into non-SWAC games as well as carry over into the next season. If you're on probation at the last game of the year and you break the rules, your suspension carries over into the first game of the next year. If you're serving a 5 game suspension and only 3 games are left in the season, you will serve the remainder of the suspension the first two games of the next season. This includes "Classic" games (Labor Day Classic, Circle City Classic, Magic City Classic, Capital City Classic, Bayou Classic, etc.).
- Repeat offenders will be noted. Let's say that a band gets the second offense penalty 3 games straight. If they get a second offense on the 4th consecutive game, they shall be ejected from the game and serve an automatic 1 game suspension and be placed on "probationary" status the remainder of the year.
I think my rules are actually harder on bands than what they have in place but it also gives the bands the chance to actually play at the games and keep playing as long as they bring the volume down when the football teams aren't directly in front of them. Heyell, I'm even giving each band 4 times to get their act together in a game.