Lesson #22: Cutting the track and altering game flow penalties¶
by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil
Watch lesson #22a (Cutting the track) and lesson 22b (Altering game flow).
Last updated: June 14, 2018
4.2.2 - Gaining position (“cutting the track”)¶
The illegal use of the out-of-bounds area to gain position on another skater.
Concepts
Gains of positions are always measured at the hips
A downed skater who re-enters the track does not gain position until they are upright
Skaters have no position if they are down or out of bounds
Blockers have no position if they are outside an existing engagement zone
No pack situations do not exempt skaters from illegal gains of position
During a no pack situation, blockers more than 20 feet from the last defined pack have no position.
Illegal gains of position may be “ceded” by immediately and fully exiting the track
Signaling jam call-off does not negate a skater’s obligation to cede, although the jam may end before the skater is able to do so.
Officiating discretion is sometimes necessary to determine whether a skater is ceding.
Impact to call a penalty
A skater bettering their position on one or more opponents
A skater bettering their position on two or more teammates
Gaining position penalties and their verbal cues
“Cut” (basic verbal cue)
Refers to a skater returning from out of bounds (including straddling)
Does not include the penalty box, or temporary withdrawal from the jam due to equipment failure or injury
A skater who is forced out of bounds must return behind all opponents who had superior position when they went out of bounds.
All upright, in bounds skaters ahead of the skater who went out of bounds have superior position.
Superior position is temporarily lost if the skater goes down, out of bounds, or out of play, but can be regained by reversing this.
The initiator of a block that forces a skater out of bounds gains superior position, even if they were physically behind the target.
This privilege comes with a price; superior position is permanently lost if they go down, out of bounds, or out of play.
All skaters passed during an apex jump that lands in a straddling position retain superior position, even if points were scored.
“Illegal re-entry”
Refers to a skater returning from the penalty box or temporary withdrawal from the jam due to equipment failure or injury
All in-play blockers have superior position.
Jammers do not have superior position.
4.2.3 - Altering the flow of the game¶
Warnings should be used whenever possible to fix a situation instead of issuing a penalty
The larger objective is to maintain game flow, not to send more skaters to the box
Altering game flow penalties and their verbal cues
WFTDA has not formalized the difference between these penalty types, but these are generally acceptable distinctions
“Interference” (basic cue)
Illegal actions that interfere with the natural progression of the game, but do not halt the game clock
Successfully calling off the jam while not lead jammer
Exception: if an official erroneously indicates the jammer has lead
Too many skaters achieving a competitive advantage during a jam
“Delay of game”
Illegal actions that cause the game clock to be halted
Failing to field a jammer at jam start
Failing to field any blockers in a legal starting position at jam start
Failing to field a blocker in the penalty box queue in the correct position at jam start
An injured skater lined up for a jam at jam start for which they are not allowed to participate
Successfully requesting a timeout (TO) or official review (OR) with none of that type remaining
If possible, charge the team the other type instead of issuing a penalty
Successfully requesting a TO or OR by a non-captain/designated alternate
Exception: Calling a TO/OR in response to a skater signaling to their captain or alternate to request a TO/OR.
Docking a TO or OR instead of issuing a penalty is not an option.
Penalties for altering game flow go to the team captain
Exceptions: (penalty to the responsible skater)
Too many skaters
Failing to field a skater in the penalty box queue in the correct position
Calling off the jam while not lead jammer
Successfully calling for a TO/OR by a non-captain/designated alternate