Author Archive | James Barguss

Foot faults

Something that pops up from time to time at games and recently the AGM is the foot fault. It’s a polarising subject which can get many people hot under the collar. For the record.

Rule 9 states

Each member of the team shall throw 6 sticks each, and may throw under arm or round arm, not over arm and both feet need to be behind the hocking by the time the stick has left the players hand. A stick leaving the players hand while his foot is standing on the hocking, may be declared a no stick.

However, the rules state nothing of who is to police the transgression and when you should point this out. For example should you have another caller type who stands at the hocking end? Does this person call out each error and put off the thrower or should they wait until the end of the throw?

Now what happens when the hocking doesn’t reach to the end of where the thrower is standing so that it’s not easy to see if the rule is broken? What if the hocking is just a line and it’s easy to step on? What if the hocking is 6 inches high and your toes step on and against but not over, does that count.

These are all valid points that make if difficult to make a judgement. Then of course what if the person throwing disagrees with you! Actually forget that,they’re going to aren’t they? Then what, stop the game till they admit it.

So where does this leave us?

I think it’s a little like speeding. Everyone at one point has done it. Maybe you knew you were doing it, possibly even did it deliberately. But maybe you didn’t and it was just a few mph over the limit but you got caught. How annoyed did that make you, I mean you never, ever speed but the one time you did you got caught and fined or you had to attend the speed school.

The point I’m making here is that no matter how whiter than white you are, you will at some point inadvertently foot foul.

About 3 years ago I was accused of doing the same thing. I didn’t do it deliberately and I certainly wasn’t getting more dolls because of it. But I changed my throw because of it and also began keeping an eye on those people thatbelieved it was cheating, I can tell you I saw them foot fault.

My solution then, if there can be one is this.

Can you imagine the bad feelings that would arise as a consequence of a footfault call where there are no defined ways around it

Anyone can make the call and then wait for the shit to hit for the rest of the game.Of one thing you can be certain, the more important the match the greater the tension, the more an issue it will become. The person making the call should first take that into account. Personally if I was captain and the thrower was stepping over and making a good score repeatedly i might speak quietly to the opposing captain.

The rule actually says ‘may be’ declared a no stick. It’s very discretionary but gives everyone the opportunity to air their views.

In the course of writing this post I’ve tried to get a view of what other people think about it, not just my own personal views but more of a consensus. If you are not aggressive or malicious in the way you approach the other captain I believe an agreement can be met where all the views can be accommodated and a satisfactory outcome arrived. If you are not then what is a fun team competition will no longer be that. When all is said and done we are there to have fun.

I hope this goes some way to answering the question of a foot fault, but I know it falls short of a definitive answer because there isn’t one. I would welcome anyone’s take on this.

Anchorman

And so it begins…………….

After what was a big rush to gather enough players to enable us to sign on, weended up having enough to field a full team with a couple of spare.

With our first two friendlies being held in torrential downpours with the obligatory force 10 gale I was asked by a recent signing who had never played before, “is it always like this”? To which I replied “of course not, sometimes it’s windier and wetter”

With so many of our team not having played before (50%) it was a worry that we might be a section to high. Whilst we by no means set the world alight, neither did we fail miserably. The rain and wind did nothing to dampen our enthusiasm, though at times it was somewhat of a struggle. Our new throw is quite protected from the elements and that can’t be said for our old throw which was completely open to all the weather had to offer. I offer my condolences to those we left behind.

I was talking recently to someone who claimed to either have the first or the only 6 recorded on tape. Going back a few years all the Aunt Sally finals were recorded using a camcorder and a mirror. The camcorder sat on a table half way down the throw and the mirror allowed a sort of split screen effect, like you see at the darts. Half throwing player, half Doll.

I’m not sure if you are aware but for a few games now on a web site called USTREAM (see Aunt Sally TV ) there have been some live Aunt Sally from the winter league shown. The web site link is else where on Abingdon Auntsally.com but go here and you can check it out your self.

I was thinking it might be nice to have a bit more on ustream or even youtube. So when the summer season starts if you feel the urge to splash some videos of yourselves playing the sally perhaps with a few 6’s it can only add to the fun.

If you do why not post them in the comments section here and we’ll do all we can to bring attention to them.

In the meantime wrap up warm and don’t let em get you down

Anchorman

Beginning of a new Season

ARE YOU A TEAM LOOKING FOR PLAYERS ARE YOU A PLAYER LOOKING FOR A TEAM

With the summer league on the horizon, talk has turned to who’s signing on and who isn’t. It’s rapidly becoming clear that some teams are going to be short of signings for the coming summer season.

On Wednesday I was approached by a couple of teams asking if I was aware of anyone looking for a game this year. One is the Spread Eagle and the other is Abingdon Utd A who will be moving to Wootton British Legion. Presumably changing their name to Wootton Legion A.

So, from now until the team sheets are due I’ll put anyone who emails me with wanting players in touch with people who want to play. Ill get our webmaster involved and we can have a kind of classified adverts for teams and players going. (I haven’t asked him yet but he’s really really nice)

The teams will accept any ability as long as you’re keen and prepared to make every game. This could be an opportunity for someone new to the game who wants to play or for a veteran who wishes to play somewhere nearer home.

There is no prerequisite to compete in any of the competitions.

Its always difficult to recruit new players so if I can put a few people in touch with each other then great. Teams need 12 people signed on but you can have more. Remember no one wants to be leading the table only to find everyone is on holiday at the same time.

Aunt Sally is one of the coolest sports there is. When I mention to anyone that I play I’m bombarded with questions “what’s its like to play” “where can i go to watch it played” I liken it to the playboy lifestyle of modern premiership footballers. Fast cars, great Clubs and the groupies are endless, you are literally fighting them off with er……Aunt Sally stick.

Don’t believe me? this guy plays number 6 for the Plough

Contact me at

anchorman86@yahoo.co.uk