Posted at 11:00 a.m.
Supporters on the road
I would like to know why, during Canadian matches abroad, there are, most of the time, supporters with the CH jersey in the first row behind the team bench. Is there a league policy on this or inter-team agreements? Or is it only an impression on my part or the effect of chance?
Luc Dessureault
Response from Guillaume Lefrancois
You do not dream ; there are indeed often Canadian jerseys clearly visible around the team bench, but everything indicates that it is simply amateurs who find the right tickets, through official channels or through resale. There is no such policy on the part of the teams. The only thing the visiting team has some “control” over is the free tickets the players are entitled to. The collective agreement provides that each player of the team abroad is entitled to two tickets per match, “in the second price category”, up to a maximum of 80 tickets for the team in the same match. We are assured that these tickets are never located directly behind the team bench.
NFL vs CFL
Which comparison would be the fairest to illustrate the difference in caliber of play between the NFL and the CFL? Is it similar to the difference between the NHL and the American Hockey League?
Marc Marcus
Response from Miguel Bujold
Good morning Marc. The difference in caliber between the NFL and the CFL is indeed comparable to that which exists between the NHL and the American League, but it is a little more complicated than that. Since the rules are very different between Canadian football and American football, some NFL players would have a hard time playing in the CFL, especially defensive linemen who weigh 340 lbs… These players would struggle to find their breath in a game as fast as the CFL. On the other hand, many CFL players are not big enough to make a career in the NFL. So it’s comparing apples to oranges, up to a point. That said, there is absolutely no doubt that the caliber of play is much higher in the NFL. But until proven otherwise, the CFL remains the second-largest professional football league in the world behind the NFL, which is no small feat. For example, MLS certainly cannot claim to be the second largest soccer league in the world.
Who chooses the games?
I’ve been following American football for years, and more particularly for three or four years, and I have a few technical questions: does the quarterback choose the plays? If not, who? Can he change them according to the defense? Does he receive his instructions through a system of headphones in his helmet? On defense, is there a similar headphone system for linebacker? When calling the play, the center or lineman is often seen raising their body, head, even calling plays. Is that the case ? Why does he act like this?
Daniel T.
Reply from Nicholas Richard
Hello, Daniel, and thank you for your questions. Even though quarterbacks are smart and diligent enough to know their playbook, it’s the coaches who choose and select plays. There are only rare exceptions, like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, who are among the greatest quarterbacks in history, and who have enough talent, experience and notoriety to call the games themselves. their attack. Usually, coaches give their quarterback two play choices, and depending on the defensive strategy the opposing team presents, the player can choose whether he decides to go with the priority play or with the second option. Shifts have earphones in their helmets. There is only one player in attack and one player in defense who has a helmet equipped with earphones. Players cannot respond to their coach, there is no microphone. Moreover, the headphones automatically close when there are 15 seconds left before putting the ball into play.
The color of the soccer goalie uniform
I would like to know why, in soccer, the goalkeeper wears a jersey of a different color from that of his teammates. Where does this regulation come from?
Noro
Answer from Jean-Francois Teotonio
The reason is very simple: you have to distinguish the goalkeeper from the other players on the field. One, because he can use his hands, unlike the other active players on the pitch. Secondly, when the players gather in the penalty area for a corner or for a free kick, the goalkeeper must be recognized quickly. This goes for the players, but also for the officials and the supporters.
It also prevents teams from changing goalkeepers in the middle of a game without the knowledge of the referee. If everyone wore the same uniform, it would be easy to trick the officials into believing that so and so had become the goalkeeper and had the right to play with his hands. It is allowed to make a change of goalkeeper during a match, but it must be done in good and due form, during a stoppage of play, and his replacement must also wear a tunic distinguishing him from his colleagues.
