Communicating time left to players

[3Dee 1,153]

Put the trumpeter to use, get Roos to send direct messages to onfield via song.

[Little Richard 6,265]

Put the trumpeter to use, get Roos to send direct messages to onfield via song.

Best idea by far, but he's not allowed to wear that velvet smoking jacket.

[Ungarie boy 233]

Its actually very easy - regarding the goal. Players come off after a goal is kicked almost religiously including the goa kicker (anyone of the oncoming players should have been informed the time and directed traffic accordingly, or at least as a minimum informed the onfield leaders)

Also it is not hard for a player to run along the side of the boundary (stretching out) and to yell instruction to another player on the field (they will not all be on the other side out of earshot).

Still some years ago Essendon runner (John Barnes) wore different coloured hats to signal how much time remained in a quarter.

[Vagg 2,449]

I am really completely gobsmacked as to why the countdown clock is not on the scoreboard. Instead, they show how much time has elapsed! What good does that serve??

When the Coaches have a countdown clock, and the TV audience have a countdown clock, what on earth is the problem with also letting the players and spectators in on this little secret of how much time is left??

It just utterly defies any sense or reason!

Then, again, it IS the AFL we are talking about...!!

[P-man 13,367]

I am really completely gobsmacked as to why the countdown clock is not on the scoreboard. Instead, they show how much time has elapsed! What good does that serve??

When the Coaches have a countdown clock, and the TV audience have a countdown clock, what on earth is the problem with also letting the players and spectators in on this little secret of how much time is left??

It just utterly defies any sense or reason!

Then, again, it IS the AFL we are talking about...!!

There is a thread on BF discussing this very topic: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/either-countdown-clock-or-last-play.1101155/page-4#post-39147290

The weight of opinion seems to lean towards leaving it as is. The two main arguments are the suspense it provides and embracing the things that are unique to the game. I think you also need to be careful about making changes based on freak occurrences like Sunday. Generally there are means to make the players aware and they can respond accordingly.

But you're right in that you couldn't explain this logically to an outsider because it really makes no logical sense.

[Robot Devil 1,895]

I like the suspense of not knowing how much time is left when you are at the ground.

I do not want to hear the crowd at the ground counting down with a clock from 10 seconds (or worse 60 seconds or more) as it would be a real letdown.

There is absolutely nothing like being in front at the 31 minute mark of the last quarter after a great game of football. The siren sounds, the players raise them arms and the crowd goes up with a massive roar.

That is why I go to a game of footy.

[Vagg 2,449]

There is a thread on BF discussing this very topic: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/either-countdown-clock-or-last-play.1101155/page-4#post-39147290

The weight of opinion seems to lean towards leaving it as is. The two main arguments are the suspense it provides and embracing the things that are unique to the game. I think you also need to be careful about making changes based on freak occurrences like Sunday. Generally there are means to make the players aware and they can respond accordingly.

But you're right in that you couldn't explain this logically to an outsider because it really makes no logical sense.

It's not just Sunday. The thing about the clock on the scoreboard showing time elapsed harks back to before it was possible to show a countdown clock. But, we no longer get around in horse and buggies, and to just hang on to the old way because "that's the way we've always done it" makes no sense to me.

I still find the game suspenseful when it's close, and I'm sitting in front of the TV and knowing how long is left.

As you said, logic doesn't seem to be part of the armoury of lots of footy followers!

I still say it's time to enter the 21st Century, embrace the available technology, and stick the countdown clock on the scoreboard wher it belongs!

[Vagg 2,449]

I like the suspense of not knowing how much time is left when you are at the ground.

I do not want to hear the crowd at the ground counting down with a clock from 10 seconds (or worse 60 seconds or more) as it would be a real letdown.

There is absolutely nothing like being in front at the 31 minute mark of the last quarter after a great game of football. The siren sounds, the players raise them arms and the crowd goes up with a massive roar.

That is why I go to a game of footy.

So, you wouldn't go to a game of footy if you knew how much time was left on the clock? That's funny.

[Young Dee 1,303]

Put the trumpeter to use, get Roos to send direct messages to onfield via song.

Just buy him a massive megaphone - he can stick his head out the coaching box and blast away

[Red and Bluebeard 2,101]

Bullhorn. 3 hoots for a minute, 2 hoots for 30 seconds. If we're losing badly no one gives a hoot.

Or laser pens. Green for 1 minute, red for 30 seconds.

Ravens?

The announcer could "accidentally" cough over the loud speaker at home games or hit the AC/DC tolling bells with a minute left.

I got ideas for days. Hit me up MFC if you wanna pay me for innovations.

I like this bit.

[Spirit of '87 344]

Wouldn't make any difference knowing the time, they'd still find a way to balls it up.

[jazza 1,323]

Using the water carriers would be the silliest idea ive heard so far.

Perhaps the afl should put a clock on the scoreboard.

[old dee 24,028]

Using the water carriers would be the silliest idea ive heard so far.

Perhaps the afl should put a clock on the scoreboard.

Jazza can you donate a cattle prod to the club?

[jazza 1,323]

Jazza can you donate a cattle prod to the club?

Can supply and can teach how to use.

Anybody know how that sooky kid did at training this morning?

And can we select him?

[Robot Devil 1,895]

So, you wouldn't go to a game of footy if you knew how much time was left on the clock? That's funny.

I gave a reason why I go.... not a reason that I would not.

Nice leap in logic though.

How are things down there in Snake River Canyon?

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,825]

My suggestion which started this topic was serious.

Most of the replies have either dismissed it, or made glib witticisms, or missed the point altogether, diverting the thread to a debate on the virtues of a count down clock on the scoreboard.

I don't think my proposal was ridiculous. It suggests a simple method whereby our players have more idea than the opposition how much time is left at the end of quarters. It had occurred to me long before last Sunday's loss.

[1858 285]

Traffic lights? lol

If electronic communication is allowed by the AFL then a led time board similar to those used in the Premier League by refs is the most simple.

[monoccular 17,699]

My suggestion which started this topic was serious.

Most of the replies have either dismissed it, or made glib witticisms, or missed the point altogether, diverting the thread to a debate on the virtues of a count down clock on the scoreboard.

I don't think my proposal was ridiculous. It suggests a simple method whereby our players have more idea than the opposition how much time is left at the end of quarters. It had occurred to me long before last Sunday's loss.

Not mocking your idea, but how would it be that our players could see the traffic lights but the opposition cannot? Secret code of the day?

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,825]

It doesn't really matter whether the opposition know our routine. The important thing is that our players know approximately how long is left, for the reasons outlined in the opening post.

"Traffic lights" were just a suggestion. Perhaps a bright light on the bench when there 's less than a minute to go.

Does anyone else ever get the same sense of frustration I do , when there' s 10 sec to go in the quarter ,we have the ball in the centre, and we kick it sideways or backwards?