Illegal procedure

[Barks]

What happens when a coach forgets to roll for WA, bonehead, doesn't move Fungus first, sets up a few too many in the widezones or on the pitch, etc.? Not a lot. And the illegal procedure/ turncounter rules are excessively harsh in comparison. I'd like to see this changed, and have tried to tie this in with the current referee/ foul rules. Read on...

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A coach may call 'Illegal procedure' at any time after the start of the opponent's turn.

The illegal act is then rectified:
a. Any rolls made, stand.
b. Any missed rolls (e.g. bonehead etc.) are counted as failed.
c. Extra players are removed randomly (or moved out of the wide zones) until the correct number are on the pitch.
d. Unadvanced turncounters are advanced.
e. Unmoved players (e.g. Fungus) are counted as having been moved.

Note that a) and b) are not mutually exclusive. eg An ogre blocks the player standing next to him without rolling for bonehead. The player suffers the effects of the block, AND the ogre subsequently goes bonehead.

A roll is then made to determine the referee's punishment (+2 if the ref's got their eyes on the team). On a 6 the coach must immediately expend a team reroll. If unable to do so (no rerolls left or already expended one this turn) the team suffers a turnover. Not expending a reroll is not an option. On a 1-5 nothing happens. The ref's eyes are now on the team.

The coach may argue the call as usual (6 revoked and eyes off, 1 may not argue for rest of match).

If illegal procedure is called for a legal event (ie bad call), the calling player must roll as above and the ref's eyes are on them.

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I think this could do with a little tweaking, but hopefully you get the gist. It should bring the referee into the match a bit more other than for fouling, and the ref's eyes should change more often. It removes the excessive harshness of the current turncounter rules, and penalises improper play.

Comments welcomed!

[Underdog]

I agree with you that if forgetting to move your turn counter is such a highly punishable offence so should forgetting to use a negative trait etc...

I actually like illiegal procedure and think a few more things should be covered under the rule besides the turn marker and maybe the rule should be a little less harsh like you say but on the other hand I dont really want to make it any more complicated.

Also a lot of people here think that calling your opponant for illegal procedure is unsporting anyway . Just depends how you've always played.

[Shadow Monkey]

I agree about treating forgetting to move your tunr counter and forgetting to use a negative trait the same. I don't agree that causing a turnover is too harsh a punishement for doing so. I like the absurdity of it. It feels right for the game. In a game where chaos rules, it's funny that trivial things like not moving a turn marker is considered a serious offense.

Sportscaster Jim: Well, Bob, it looks like Squiggy just tore Gnarl's head off! However, Coach Snot didn't move his turn marker. Such disregard for the rules is unforgivable, and he will be thoroughly punished I assure you!

Sportscaster Bob: That's right, Jim. There are rules that are meant to be broken like kicking a player when he's down, or hacking someone to bits with a chainsaw, and there are rules that aren't meant to be broken like moving your turn marker before you go about kicking a player when he's down, or hacking someone to bits with a chainsaw. I wouldn't want to be Coach Snot when the ref gets hold of him!

[Duke Jan]

Turnmarkers are forgotten all the time, sometimes its right to IP sometimes not. Depends on where why and who you're playing. If I were playing for the BB against NAF #1, I'd call IP on him. If I were playing against someone with a jet lag and a hang over just for fun I really wouldn't mind if he forgot.

Forgetting WA or setting up 12 players or whatever would deserve a harsh punishment at (almost) any time IMHO.

[MadLordAnarchy]

Forgetting stuff happens all the time in BB. It's often harsh to punish people in a game they're playing for fun. I have specific house rules to punish 12 players on the pitch and some other cheating but IP is horrendous. WA and it's accompanying issues are an added layer of complexity that my players certainly wouldn't appreciate and definately wouldn't remember so I don't have it.

[Munkey]

MLA, it's not often I agree with you but you are spot on about IP it is horrendous.

If a player forgets to move their turncounter what's wrong with the other player just reminding them? Works ok for me - I don't see why such an easy mistake to make should be punished with one of the most horrific penaltys in the game.

I usually forget the turncounter on those crucial turns when the game just becomes exiting and i'm really considering what I need to do in the turn. Then bang, there goes any enjoyment I might have had for the rest of the drive.

[MadLordAnarchy]

While I'm not one to be agreed with often, IP is one of the worst things ever to happen in the BB world. It completely ruins people's enjoyment of the game and I've seen it reduce players to tears and violence.

I scrapped IP for my league years ago and I would never dream of calling it, even under tourney conditions.

[plasmoid]

I kind of like IP.
In my experience, getting called on the IP is what gets the lesson through.
I've "let it slide" many times, but when the same coach makes the same mistake for the 5th consecutive year, then it is time to tighten the grip, IMO.

Sure, I'll be lenient with it in a casual game, just like I will be lenient with any other rule - but that's a matter of being casual, not of the IP rule in itself.

Martin

[Shadow Monkey]

When teaching a new player in the game I let it slide, but make sure to point out his mistake every time he makes it. After he plays one game being reminded every turn, I let him play another game without reminding him, and allowing his opponent to call IP whenever he makes the mistake. That player learns really quick after the second game. After that, his games start to count in the league where there is no mercy about calling IP.

It seems harsh, but the rule is there for a reason. If people keep letting it slide all the time, players will continue to forget about it. If that begins to be a regular occurence, then players will start to forget what turn it is. Games will run on longer than they're supposed to, and the games won't run as smoothly.

If you teach a new player that there are consequences to not moving the turn marker, they will learn it a lot quicker to remember. The rules are good, and make the game run smoothly. IP should be called for every time a rule is forgotten. Soon enough the players will know the rules very well, and there won't be so many arguements about the rules.

If a player breaks down into tears, quits playing, or gets physically violent over something like getting called for illegal procedure in a friggin board game, then perhaps you should find other players. People like that are not meant to play competitive board games.

Play to win, but more importantly, play to have fun with friends. If the rules are getting in the way of that, then by all means house rule it. I think calling IP is fine the way it is, but I there are other rules I don't like. Change the game to suit your group, and have fun. IP hasn't ruined my group, but if it ruins your's then change it. It's all about fun.

[Skummy]

Yesterday a player incorrectly called an IP on his opponent on turn 7 of OT in my home league. The active player smiled, took a reroll, and had to use it on his handoff to score in turn 8 of OT to pull off the win. Great stuff!