At the end of the 2009 edition of the Southern Indoor Football League, league president Thom Hager saw some things that didn't sit too well as an administrator of the league and the owner of the Louisiana Swashbucklers.
One of the biggest issues last season was kickers kicking the ball out of bounds to prevent a return by the dynamic kick returners on the other side of the field.
"One of the biggest issues I had last year with our rules was that the teams could avoid special teams running the football back on a kickoff return," explained Hager. "They would kick the football off the playing surface and that drove me crazy as a owner cause it cost me a bunch of money. But it also took away one of the most exciting elements of the game in watching a player run the football back. It impacted the player statistically because he didn't get any stats running the football back."
To remedy the issue, the SIFL has added two new rules into the book this season. The first is called the "uno" rule. The rule states that the kicker on a kickoff can attempt to kick the ball between the uprights and his team will be awarded a point. If the kicker misses and the ball is not returned, the ball is placed at the five-yard line. If the kicker makes the kick, the ball is placed at the 15-yard line.
The second rule might seem weird at first, but it could make things on a kickoff return very interesting. In the second rule change for special teams play, if the kicker kicks the ball out of bounds between the goal lines, the official will sound his whistle and the teams will reset for the kickoff. But instead of a re-kick, the official will hand the ball to the kick returner and blow his whistle to begin play.
"It's going to give them (the returning team) an edge because now they won't have the lag time with the ball in the air," Hager said. "So he will get a head start of you. We believe that that will save the kickoff return."
The only other rule change taking affect this year is for the linebacker position. The SIFL adopted the Arena Football League's rule of the 'jack' linebacker box. The rule states that the linebacker must be in a box marked from the line of scrimmage to five yards back.
"The whole reason is to be able to contain a run,” explained Hager. "The linebacker will be able to run in a five-yard front to back box and the box will be wall-to-wall. So he's not going to be in a five-by-five yard box. That is just a nightmare for an official. "
Other than those few rule changes, everything else will remain the same from last year. The playoff format will still be the No. 1 seed taking on the No. 4 seed and the No. 2 seed hosting the No. 3 seed with the highest seed remaining hosting the second President's Cup SIFL Championship game.
Hager also said that KZWA in Lake Charles would begin broadcasting games on the radio for the Swashbucklers. The SIFL president also said that the league is still working with the possibility of game day coverage on the internet.
"I really liked that webcast so we will see if we can do that," said Hager.
In Lake Charles, the Swashbucklers are looking to fill 2500 season ticket seats with plenty of seats available for purchase. In regards to fans, Hager has one reminder: "Remember we are going to sale you the entire seat, but you are only going to need the edge."
The SIFL season opener will be played in Lake Charles when the Louisiana Swashbucklers host the Houston Lightning on March 20th.
Lake Charles, La. —
