by Steve Goldberg Back in 1983, a dozen or so footbag visionaries gathered around some picnic tables at Blue Lake Park, in Portland, Oregon, to discuss the future of their beloved sport. Fourteen years later, the incarnation of that group is the International Footbag Advisory Board (IFAB). The IFAB is dedicated to the promotion and development of the sport of footbag.

The IFAB held its annual marathon meeting on Monday, August 12th, 1997, immediately following the World Championships. The following rule changes were enacted at this year's meeting.

Footbag Freestyle

In an effort to improve the implementation of the current freestyle judging system, the position of Head Judge has been created. The Head Judge will:
(1) monitor the overall judging process and ensure that judges are ready and present for each routine;
(2) watch all routines in the pool;
(3) ensure accuracy and fairness in judging by overseeing scoring, even rejecting a judge's scores if they are deemed to be inaccurate;
(4) act as the official point of contact for competitors. (Players will not dispute scores with, nor otherwise communicate with the other judges during the round).

While the rules for doubles freestyle did not change per se, clarifications were made in the interpretation of the existing formula-based judging system to ensure consistent implementation. Here is a summary of the clarifications: 
(1) Composition scores in doubles are tallied for the pair, not for the individuals. In other words, a unique add-value move performed by one team-member is counted as a unique move for the team. If the other player does the same move (on the same side of the body), it is not a second unique move.
(2) A special doubles add category, called "co-op", was defined. A "co-op" add is awarded by the add counter in the following cases: (a) when two players perform the same syn- chronized move, (i.e., "mirroring") ¬ note that only one add is given for the synch, not two; (b) when an add-value move is performed by one partner from an add-value set by the other partner (this has been called "add-to-add pass"); (c) when any move is performed by one player while the other player is presenting an obstacle such as a leg. (This last case is commonly referred to as "hooping" ¬ it is not a dexterity move, but a "co-op.")

Live accompaniment is now explicitly allowed for freestyle routines, provided the judges are notified before the routine begins that the music is to be performed live.

Footbag Net

The format for round-robin events now consists of a pool of 4 teams/individuals with the following new order of play according to seed:
(1) 1 vs 3 and 2 vs 4,
(2) 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3,
(3) 1 vs 2 and 3 vs 4

Players are also encouraged to wear matching uniforms during net competitions.

Decisions, Decisions...

The IFAB has decided to form a licensing/business committee to resolve licensing issues for the rulebook on a case-by-case basis. This decision was spurred on by a request from the Canadian Footbag Alliance to reprint the rulebook in their new commercial CD-ROM. A nominal fee was agreed upon as a way to protect both the CFA and the IFAB from copyright violations.

Another function of the business committee is to oversee the sale and pricing of the official rulebooks themselves. Rulebooks will be sold at a wholesale price so that other organizations may resell them for a profit, if required. An IFAB subcommittee comprised of Bruce Guettich and Brent Welch will determine a viable wholesale price. Bruce was also elected Treasurer of IFAB.

The IFAB agreed to compensate individuals or organizations for their time and materials where applicable, including members of the committee who do work that would otherwise be contracted out. Compensation must be approved by the Treasurer, and is only valid for projects agreed upon by the business committee.

Worlds Committee

A new "Worlds Oversight" Committee was created to oversee the World Championships. This committee will decide on event location by reviewing applications from candidate hosts, and will work with the hosts from year to year to ensure the quality of the event. In addition, the Worlds Oversight Committee will attempt to bring international sponsors (such as Wham-O) to the World Championships from year to year, lifting much of the financial and sponsor ship burden from the hosts, and providing a consistent relationship with larger sponsors.

A number of support tools will be developed to be used from year to year by hosts of the event, including registration and results software, freestyle judging software, pool sheets, judging cards, etc. The new Worlds Oversight Committee includes Steve Goldberg (chair), Bruce Guettich, Brent Welch, John Stalberger, and Rich Cook.

Want to Join I.F.A.B.?

If you would like to join the IFAB, here's what to do. First, contact an IFAB member. Then, prepare a statement and get supporting signatures from 5 or more board members before the annual meeting. Details are outlined in the Official Rules of Footbag, available for purchase on page 44 of this issue of Footbag World.

Additional information may be found on the IFAB website. Point your browser to <http://ifab.footbag.org/>.