Action Point

CFL Talk
21

According to this website (where I found out abou the Action Point), the WFL influence the Hasmarks

http://www.misterhabs.com/helmets.htm

Qoute:
The World Football League, or WFL, began in 1973 as the brainchild of Gary L. Davidson, the former president of the World Hockey Association (WHA) and one of the founders of the American Basketball Association (ABA) (Great leagues while they lasted, I might add, though I hate the "WHA" name). Planned as a Summer alternative to the NFL, the league debuted on July 10, 1974 with 12 teams in three divisions playing a 20 game schedule. The competition with the NFL was ripe from the beginning. With the labor agreement between the NFL and the players set to expire, as many as 60 NFL veterans signed future contracts with the WFL. Most notable were Larry Czonka, Paul Warfield and Jim Kiick of the championship Miami Dolphins, who agreed to play for the Memphis Southmen in 1975.

The WFL also affected the NFL on the field. The league introduced several rules changes to bring in fans. They moved the kickoff back 10 yards, moved the goal posts from the goal line to the end line, returned missed field goals to the line of scrimmage, increased the value of a touchdown from 6 to 7 points and eliminated the extra point. Instead, teams would have to run or pass for an "Action Point". Receivers would only need one foot in-bounds as in college, fair catches were eliminated on punt returns and a 15 minute overtime was instituted for games tied at the end of regulation. Offensive backs were allowed to go in motion toward the line of scrimmage prior to the snap and the hash marks were moved inward. In April of 1974, the NFL, fearing a return of the wide open style of play in the AFL, held a meeting to institute its own changes, including moving the goal posts, moving the kickoff to the 35 yard line, and adding an overtime period.

At first, the NFL's fears seemed well-founded as huge crowds filled stadiums on the WFL's opening weekend. Unfortunately, it was revealed that attendance was inflated with free tickets and the league was actually in finanacial trouble. Despite quality franchises in Birmingham, Memphis, Florida, and Southern California, other teams were floundering, moving to other cities mid-season or folding all together. By the end of the year, some teams were barred from playing in their home stadiums until they settled lease problems. Other teams had their uniforms confiscated or had players walk out on the team after not being paid. In the end, the league couldn't even decide on a playoff format, eventually settling on the top six of the remaining squads, including a few with losing records, making the post-season. The first, and only World Bowl was won by the Birmingham Americans who defeated the Florida Blazers 22-21, on December 5, 1974.

The 1975 season began to take focus with new commissioner Chris Hemmeter and what would be known as the Hemmeter plan, a profit sharing agreement between owners and players which would insure players got paid despite gate-receipts. Hemmeter demanded financial backing for the upcoming season, weeding out weak owners with up-front franchise desposits. Many teams relocated and some cities received "new" teams, old franchises with new names. Problems continued. Many of the NFL stars backed out of their contracts with WFL teams. Some teams couldn't even hire head coaches until weeks into the pre-season. The 1975 season began July 26, with ten teams competing. The season got off to a rocky start when the league had to assume daily operations of the Chicago Winds, folding the team after only 4 games. Things continued to get worse when the NFL lifted its ban on signing WFL players in week eight, raiding WFL teams in the middle of the season. On October 22, Hemmeter held a press conference to annouce the WFL was disbanding, citing bad weather, unfair competition with the NFL, media skepticism and confusion over player contracts as reasons.

The NFL quickly reinstated its ban on hiring WFL talent. WFL players and the NFL Players Association sued, and less than a month later NFL teams began signing WFL players. Other WFL players ended up in the CFL or played semi-pro ball. A few even went on the play in the USFL eight years later. Two of the more successful WFL franchises, Birmingham and Memphis, strong on the field and finanically, applied for expansion in the NFL. The NFL, which already planned for expansion in Tampa Bay and Seattle in 1976, declined the offer.

22

Apparently, New York analyst Bill Finnaren came up with the Action Point.

Hey, check this out!

http://wflfootball.tripod.com/rulechanges.html

doesn't the last rule chage remind you of anything? :slight_smile:

23

After seeing the Halifax game and the Montreal/Winnipeg game where in both a player scured up the kick convert and the fact that compaired with the NFL, it just looks too easy in the CFL. I think the CFL shoiuld try it out and maybe use it. Woiuld be better than a kick convert in my opioin. If it doesn't chage, that's fine too, I just wanted to say it and say that I think it would be better. :wink:

24

Don't get me wrong, Converts are ok, but I just think and feel that the AP would be better for the CFL. then we don't have questions like "should they have gone for two?", etc.

25

the action point, I had never heard of that before Kanga, thanks, but I think we should keep the converts for now.

26

Have a look at this, it's about the only WFL World Bowl. Mind you, most of the players are semi pro, imagine if this was played by pro CFL players! 8)

http://www.bamacollector.com/wfl1974/world_bowl.htm
27

Yes you can return a blocked convert just like you can score a major if you’re going for two.

28

You can return a block convert or run back a fumble or interception on the 2 pointer but you only score 2 points

29

I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen -it’s too hard to do.

I think any team that scores a defensive touchdown on a convert attempt should be awarded 10 points!

30

I say 6, or 7 if the CFL uses the action point. making TD's worth 2 or 3 points makes things tricky. except for a AP TD which after a 7 point TD and is only one point for a total of eight.

31

you should have the option of randomly choosing someone fro the stands who gets to try the convert, kick or get in the endzone. that way the fans could really get into the game!

32

I like that idea blackdale, but they should also get points based on how pissed they are. If a convert is kicked by a fan an official would then administer a breathalyzer test and for every .04 he/she blows the team gets one point. For RedandWhite this can then be doubled if the fan is wearing a cape.

33

.......tripled if he/she does it in a sombrero........

34

........multiplied by ten if she's 'bendy'...........

35

I see no problem with trying new ideas in EX. games.
The CFL has tried many new things.I know that people don't like change but , why not try this.?

It is just an idea and I love K.K's en. for the CFL game.

We don't have to be rude , here.I think all ideas should be explored.
We come here to talk about football , and to pass on info and other ideas.

I see no problem with this. :smiley:

36

Thank You HT!!!

37

A more realistic evolution of the game would be to move the convert attempt further away from the uprights if you elect to go for the single. Pehaps a 35 yard convert attemt would be more challenging.

38

Nah, give the team 7 points for a frist TD and then 1 for a another sucessful TD for a total of 8.

That's realistic! look a the WFL!

39

That is a FG, not a convert, so it isn’t realistic.

40

Why is it not realistic?

Lets say they get an unnessary rooughness penaliy and a delay of game followed by a holding penality. That would pout them on the 35 and it would still be a single point convert not a field goal