It's Official Clinic

Okay so I'm back from the It's Official Clinic (thanks Wheezie and Noah) with wisdom provided by A.R.R.O.W. instructors Eric Rawk, Sir Osis and Miss Nomer.  Had a great time with new and old friends.  I'll be sharing some of my newly acquired knowledge on here over the next week.

My Toe Stop Fell Off Where Do I Fix It?

There is no requirement to return to your bench to fix an equipment issue.  In the case of a toe stop you may continue to participate in the jam or remove yourself from the track and fix the equipment in a safe area.  Do not fix the equipment on the track or where penalized skaters and officials would be skating on the outside.  The consensus amongst most officials is the the jam would only be called off if the malfunctioning equipment caused a substantial risk to skaters or was helmet related.

Picking Up The Panty

This question came about in relation to recovering a dropped panty in the course of play.  Assuming that the panty has been dropped or removed from play by another means it may only be recovered by the Jammer or Pivot.  The Pivot may obtain Jammer status (not Lead Jammer) by retrieving the panty and placing it on their helmet.  This must be done during the course of normal counter clockwise skating.  You cannot skate forward or backwards in a clockwise direction to retrieve a panty.

Re-Entering the Track During a No Pack Scenario

Question: Would an out of bounds skater receive a cutting the track penalty if re-entering the track in front of the skater who blocked them out of bounds if the skaters were in a "no pack" scenario?

Answer: Yes. The out of bounds skater would receive a minor penalty for re-entering the track in front of one in-bounds skater, which betters her position relative to that skater (6.11.12) and a major penalty for re-entering in front of multiple in-bounds players (6.11.18).

6.11 Cutting the Track

6.11.1 A skater may not return in bounds in front of the skater who blocked her out of bounds, except under the following circumstances where no penalty will be issued:

• 6.11.1.1 - When the initiating skater is considered "in the box", having been sent off the track for  a penalty
• 6.11.1.2 - When the initiating skater goes out of bounds at any time after the initiating block
• 6.11.1.3 - When the initiating skater downs herself or falls at any time after the initiating block
• 6.11.1.4 - When the initiating skater exits the Engagement Zone at any time after the initiating block

Scrum Start - Touching The Jammer Line

6.13.5.2 A Non-Pivot Blocker false starts for being out of position at the pack starting whistle when she:

        6.13.5.2.2 - is touching behind the Jammer Line

6.13.5.3 A Pivot Blocker false starts for being out of position at the pack starting whistle when she:

      6.13.5.3.2 - is touching behind the Jammer Line

*These rules have been clarified by WFTDA to include touching the Jammer Line.

A Blocker or Pivot that is touching on or behind the Jammer Line will receive a false start minor penalty (6.13.5). They must then yield advantage at this point to the other Blockers or Pivot or be assessed a major penalty. In this case "yielding advantage" requires that one Blocker or Pivot skates past you. Because you are considered to be in front of all other Blockers or Pivots by touching on or behind the Jammer Line you must skate clockwise or wait in place for the first counter-clockwise Blocker or Pivot to pass you (they will have done a complete or partial lap at this point).