The GIFFA System

The GIFFA System comprises the following sections below:

• Weekly schedule & venues
  
• Filling places & withdrawals
• Team selectors/captains & line ups
• Payment & penalties
  
• Pre-game protocol, cancellations & weather policy
• Game kit & equipment
• The game, reports, credits, round ups & team selectors table
• Safety, duty of care & disclaimer
• Appendix I - Basic standard
• Appendix II - Current exclusions
  

Links are provided for more information.

Please also read the Overriding Principles, Core Values & Game Rules. Your participation in our games depends on it. This thread on the GIFFA System, and the Principles, Values & Rules, are in essence the terms on which you agree to participate in our games.  

Any player who repeatedly or persistently disregards the requirements of the GIFFA System, or disregards a reasonable request made by me, may be blocked from playing, for one or more games, a period of time, or indefinitely, depending on the seriousness of the non-compliance.

More broadly, the Overriding Principles and Core Values also provides:

Possible sanctions include being excluded from all or aspects of our game or system for a period or time or indefinitely.

Current exclusions are set out in Appendix II below.

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• GIFFA system & playing rules
• GIFFA values, principles & standards
• GIFFA-defined & other men's games.

^{Note:
(1) The information on this thread may be revised from time to time.
(2) I own the intellectual property in the GIFFA System in copyright, patent and trademark.}

Weekly schedule & venues

Our regular sessions are as follows:

• Saturdays, 4.50 to 6.00 pm, Premier Pitch @ The Grandstand (covered big pitch), 200 Turf Club Road, Plot 9 - maximum 16 (8-a-side) or minimum 14 (7-a-side) at $13 per player.  This game is regularly converted to a challenge match.  
• Saturdays, 4.50 to 6.00 pm, Premier Pitch @ Khalsa (uncovered big pitch), 2 Tessensohn Road or access from 49 Balestier Road - maximum 14 (7-a-side) or minimum 12 (6-a-side) at $10 per player.
• Sundays, 4.50 to 6.00 pm, Premier Pitch @ The Grandstand (covered big pitch), 200 Turf Club Road, Plot 9 - maximum 16 (8-a-side) or minimum 14 (7-a-side) at $13 per player.
  
• Mondays, 8.50 to 10.00 pm, HYFA @ Macpherson (uncovered big pitch), 8 Mattar Road - maximum 14 (7-a-side) or minimum 12 (6-a-side) at $10 per player.
  
• Tuesdays, 8.50 to 10.00 pm, HYFA @ Macpherson (uncovered big pitch), 8 Mattar Road - maximum 14 (7-a-side) or minimum 12 (6-a-side) at $10 per player
  
• Tuesdays, 8.50 to 10.00 pm, Rainforest @ Grandstand (uncovered small pitch), 2 Turf Club Road - maximum 12 (6-a-side) or minimum 10 (5-a-side) at $12 per player
  
• Wednesdays, 8.50 to 10.00 pm, Premier Pitch @ Khalsa (uncovered big pitch), 2 Tessensohn Road or access from 49 Balestier Road - maximum 14 (7-a-side) or minimum 12 (6-a-side) at $10 per player.
• Thursdays, 8.50 to 10.00 pm, HYFA @ Macpherson (uncovered big pitch), 8 Mattar Road - maximum 14 (7-a-side) or minimum 12 (6-a-side) at $10 per player.
  
• Fridays, 8.50 to 10.00 pm, Stadio @ Balestier, Indian Association (101 Balestier Road) or Khalsa (2 Tessensohn Road), (uncovered pitch, maximum 12 (6-a-side) or minimum 10 (5-a-side) at $12 per player.

The above links are to location maps.

There may be changes to the schedule from time to time. Extra games will be scheduled as and when necessary.

The schedule thread for each game is posted on this, the schedule board under the "GIFFA-Defined Games" category, 5 days before hand. Extra games may be posted earlier or later.

For each game, the venue, date, time, and maximum and minimum number of players, are specified in the schedule thread.  The payment per player is also specified. 

We aim to get the maximum number, but games will go ahead with the minimum number.   We aim to have even numbers divided into two teams of equal numbers, but for one reason or another, we may end up with uneven numbers.   We make adjustments to our games to deal with uneven numbers, whether it is one more than or one short of the minimum number. The modifications are set out under Playing Rules & Principles.  Playing with less than the minimum number will be very exceptional.

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• Weekly schedule & number of games
• Venues/pitches & team sizes
• Days, times & locations
• Our regular venues & pitches
• Public holidays & seasonal factors
  

Filling places & withdrawals

You have to be in the GIFFA Player group to put your name down for a game on this board. The criteria for being or remaining in the GIFFA Player group is set out in the first post on the "Information On Player Lists" thread on the "Player Groups, Lists, Updates & Playing Records" board. Anyone who is currently not in the GIFFA Player group will require a player who is currently on the GIFFA Player group, or myself, to put their name down for a game as a guest.

For our regular games, in the first 24 hours after the schedule thread is put up:

• Each GIFFA Player is limited to putting names down for himself and one other GIFFA Player.

• The first 4 places are reserved, two for the team selectors/captains from the game the week before, and two for players who make themselves available for slow filling games played or scheduled to be played in the 7 days before before the expiry of the 24 hour period.  A slow filling game is one that had not filled up within 48 hours of the schedule thread being put up, that still had one or more places available, or that become available, on the day of the game itself, and did not at any time have any player on waitlist.

• If the previous week's game was cancelled due to insufficient numbers, every player who remained unconditionally available for a game until the game was cancelled will have a place reserved for him in the first 24 hours.

• If the previous week's game was fast-filling, and a player who had a place when the WhatsApp group chat was created, but withdrew after the team selector poll was added, he loses priority in the first 24 hours after the schedule thread is put up. A fast-filling game is one that fills up within 24 hours of the schedule thread being put up, and remains full until the WhatsApp group chat is created for that game.
  

Only put your name down if at the time you put the name down, you are reasonably sure you will be able to attend and play. If you put a name down for another player, you must be reasonably sure that he will be able to attend and play. Follow the numbering sequence when putting your name down (inclusive of the reserved places).

Once the places for a game are filled up, anyone else can only be on the waitlist. There is a separate numbering sequence for the waitlist.

There are two restrictions on putting names down for others in the first 48 hours after each schedule thread is put up:

1. Each GIFFA Player can put a maximum of 2 GIFFA Players down, other than himself (1 more than in the first 24 hours).
2. No guests (non-GIFFA Players) can be put down.

I will not put any names down for anyone in the first 48 hours.

Additionally, after 48 hours, there is a maximum of 1 guest per player, until 24 hours before the game. Guests must be 18 or above in the current year. In the last 6 hours before the game, places are opened to any male aged 18 or above. In the last 3 hours, the age restriction is reduced to 16.

The restriction on guests may be relaxed in very exceptional circumstances.

Any player put down for a game beyond the above restrictions will be moved to the waitlist. Any player who puts his name down for a game while suffering from such illness, injury or other impediment that would substantially impair his ability to participate in a game on the usual terms will also be moved to the waitlist.

For a player's name to be put down on the list, his participation must be unconditional. Any other condition, contingency or limitation should also be indicated against a player's name, either when he puts his name down or as soon as practicable thereafter. If a player's participation is conditional, contingent or limited, especially if it prevents him from participating in our games on the usual terms in a material or substantial way, he may be moved to to the bottom of the list or to the waitlist until either he confirms his participation is unconditional or the contingency is adequately addressed.  If the places above his name are filled in the meantime, he will have to wait for withdrawals before moving up the list in the normal way.  He will not be entitled to his previous position on the list.  Conditions, contingencies and limitations include:

• The player only wishes to play if we reach the maximum number for that game.
• The player is ill, is recovering from illness, or is carrying an injury.  Injuries that prevent a player from taking his turn in goal should be disclosed.
  
• The player wants to be on the same team as particular other players. 
  
• The player wants to play only or primarily in goal.  

Priority for a game is in the order in which the names are put down on the schedule thread for that game. After the team selector/captain poll is put up for that game, priority may at my sole discretion be modified as follows:

• On the waitlist, GIFFA Players may be moved ahead of guests.
• On the waitlist, players who do not owe for previous games may be moved ahead of players who owe for previous games.  This is separate from the provision under "Payment and penalties" below.
• If I am forced to ask around extensively to fill up any remaining places, priority may be in the order in which they reply to me rather than posting on the forum, especially in the last few hours before the game.

If having put a name down for a game, you subsequently realize that the player cannot make it, please withdraw the name immediately by posting on the same thread. If there remains a possibility that the player might be able to play, and wishes to have priority on waitlist, instead of withdrawing, he can switch to waitlist, in which case, he goes to the top of the waitlist. If he withdraws, then subsequently puts his name down again, he goes to the bottom of the waitlist.

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• Filling places & choices
• GIFFA-defined & other men's games
• Player lists & playing records

Team selectors/captains & line ups

30 hours or less before the game, after the places are filled or at least the minimum number required is reached, I will usually put up a poll for team selectors or captains.

I will include in the poll for team selectors all players in the GIFFA Players group who have played a minimum number of games in the last 12 quarters (plus or including the current one), or in the current 6 month period, who are reasonably regular for that particular game or that particular venue, and who have not expressly opted out as team selector in the schedule thread, and have not been excluded. The minimum number of games will vary between 10 and 40, depending on the range of experience of the players down for the game.

The poll will usually close 5 hours before the game but it may be extended if other circumstances cause delay. The two players with the most number of votes, subject to a minimum of 3 votes each, will be team selectors. I may waive the requirement of at least 3 votes each on a case-by-case basis. In the event of a tie, the player who has played more games in the relevant period will be elected.

The two team selectors must be on separate teams, and agree on how the remaining players are to be divided between the two teams so as to have two evenly-matched teams. They also agree on which team will be White, and which will be Red.

If the players for the game include a lot of newer or less regular players, or players who haven't played together before much or at all, instead of a team selector poll, I may put up a team captain poll. All players in the GIFFA Players group who have played a minimum number of games in the last 12 quarters (plus or including the current one), or in the current 6 month period, will be included in the poll, even if they had opted out as team selectors, unless they expressly opt out as team captain as well. With team captains, I will suggest line ups after the poll closes, with the two players with the most votes being captain of each of the two teams. There is no minimum number of votes for team captains. Team captains can agree on changes, and on team colours (white or red).

If a player wishes to opt out as team selector or team captain, he should indicate it against his name, either when putting his name down for the game, or as soon as possible thereafter but no less than 30 hours before the game (that is, before the team selector/captain poll is due to go up) by posting on the same thread. It is very disruptive to opt out less than 30 hours before the game. The following acronyms will suffice:

• NAATS, NATS, NTS:  Not available as team selector.
• NAATSC, NATSC, NTSC:  Not available as team selector or captain.  

If a significant number of players included in the poll withdraw from the game, I may replace the poll with a new one. If I feel that based on changes in personnel, the two players voted as team selectors are not sufficiently familiar with the rest of the players to decide on line ups, they will be designated as team captains instead, and I will suggest the line ups. Likewise, if I feel that the two players voted as team captain are sufficiently familiar with the rest of the players, and they each have at least 2 votes, I will designate them as team selectors and leave it to them to decide on line ups, provided I will not re-designate a player who has opted out as team selector.

In the event that there is no poll or insufficient votes in a poll, unless there is a reason to choose two other players, the two players with the most number of games in the current 6 month period, or in total, will be captain. Several of the other players in the game having been brought in by a player or other players he introduced is one such reason. Where there are a lot of new or newer players, and there are two such players, I may suggest them as team selectors instead of just team captains.

If there are considerations such as form, fitness, choice of colour or combination of players that a player wishes the team selectors or me to take into account in the line ups, he should indicate as such against his name, or post on the same thread or message the WhatsApp group chat before the team selector/captain poll closes. However, team selectors have the final say on line ups.

Line ups and team colours are posted on the WhatsApp group chat or the schedule thread before the game, and repeated in the report thread. They may be first posted as late as half an hour before the game. One team is white and the other red. Players should bring both colours. Team selectors/captains can agree on changes to the line ups at any time, up to and even during the game.

Team selectors/captains earn credits, as set out below.

Each team selector/captain represents the other players on his team, and is entrusted to exercise objective judgment in assessing and deciding on line ups. Players should vote wisely in the team selector/captain poll, as each player will end up on the team of one of the two team selectors/captains. Team selectors/captains have the final say on all matters relating to that game.

There is a separate thread setting out "Guidelines On Team Selection, Team Organization & Game Play" for team selectors/captains.

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• Team selectors/captains & line ups
• Individual skills, attributes & positions
• Keeping score & the competitive edge
• Game kit & equipment
  

Payment and penalties

Payment should be made as soon as possible after your name or that of your guest is put down for a game. Some players keep credit with me. Others pay game by game. Payment modes are set out on the "Current balances & payment modes" thread on the "Payment Information" board. Acknowledgement of payment will be posted within 3 days on the current month's thread on the "Payment Information" board.

If you put a name down for a guest, then unless the guest pays for himself, you are responsible for making payment for him. You should of course collect the sum from the guest.

When I put up the team selector/captain poll, or when I suggest line ups in lieu of a poll, or, if a game is slow to fill up, any time before the game, I indicate how much is owing from each player with a confirmed place, both for that game and previous games.

When I provide the payment information for a game, if a player owes for more than one previous game, I will give the player a choice, pay an additional $1 admin fee or be moved down to the bottom of the list of players. If there are players on waitlist who do not owe for more than one previous game, then the player may be moved to waitlist.

If the total amount owed (inclusive of the current game) exceeds $50, the player will be removed from the list.

While no payment for the game is required for withdrawals and no shows, the following payments are required:

• For late withdrawals (5 hours or less before the game):
• $1 penalty for withdrawals after the team selector/captain poll closed (usually 5 hours before the game).
• $2 penalty for withdrawals less than 3 hours before the game.
• $3 penalty for withdrawals less than 2 hours before the game.
  
• $4 penalty for withdrawals less than 1 hour before the game.
• Half the price per person for withdrawals less than half an hour before the game.

 

• For no shows:
  
• The price per person less $3 for a no show with good reason given.
• The price per person less $2 for a no show with some reason given.  The player may not be allowed to play again until a good reason is given.
  
• The price per person less $1 for a no show with no reason given.  The player will not be allowed to play again until a reason is provided.
  

If a player has to withdraw late, but either personally confirms with the first player on waitlist that the player on waitlist is able to take the withdrawing player's place, or, if there is no one on waitlist, finds his own replacement, the penalty will be reduced.  If not less than half an hour before the game, a player offers up his place to those on the waitlist, I will not treat it as a withdrawal, as long as the player remains available if no one on waitlist is still available.

If the payment is required from guest player without sufficient credit, I may look to the GIFFA Player who put his name down.

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• Payments, credits, penalties & usage
• Latecoming, late withdrawals & no shows

Pre-game protocol, cancellations & weather policy

If 48 hours before a scheduled game, we are short of the minimum number, I will cancel the pitch booking. However, if numbers improve after that, I may re-make the booking for the pitch.

About 48 hours before the game, I create a WhatsApp group chat with all the players who have a confirmed place for the game. Any player who has to withdraw should notify the group chat. If there are players on waitlist, they will be added to the group chat in place of the player who withdraws. If we are short of players, it is the responsibility of everyone, including myself, to try to find players to make up the numbers. If we have less than the minimum number required for the game, the pitch booking will be cancelled.

If between about half and the minimum number of places are filled, I will ask those who put their name down to see whether we can get at least the minimum number, or whether they are interested in switching to a smaller pitch (subject to availability).

If we have at least the minimum number when the group chat is created, but as a result of withdrawals, the game is cancelled, those who withdraw after the WhatsApp group chat is created will have to share any cancellation fee payable for the venue, unless they find their own replacement. If there is no cancellation fee payable, they will still have to pay a $1 admin fee. Withdrawals include anyone stating a condition for playing which was not stated before the group chat was created, for example, they only want to play with the maximum number.

Further, those who remain unconditionally available until the game is cancelled will have places reserved for them for the following week's game.

If there are sufficient players for the game to go on, I will inform the players when the team selector poll goes up, and the result of the poll after it closes.

Any information that ought to have been disclosed when putting your name down but has not, or which has been disclosed and you wish to reiterate, can be stated or re-stated on the WhatsApp group chat.

If you put your name down for a game, please turn up and early. If you put a name down for someone else, please remind them to turn up and early. Our games start on time, and you should spend some time before the game warming up, meeting your team mates, and discussing team organization and tactics with the team selector.

After the WhatsApp group chat is created, all updates should be on the group chat.

For games on uncovered pitches, if there is heavy rain and/or lightning in the hour before the game is due to start, the game will be cancelled, unless it appears that the rain/lightning is easing up, and that the game can go ahead despite the wet conditions.

As set out above, each session is scheduled to start 10 minutes before the hour. The first 10 minutes are for team selectors to meet the players and consider any changes in line ups, as well as discuss formation, team organization and tactics. The game starts on the hour sharp.

No matter what prior appointment or engagement you may have, you should start making your way to the venue sufficiently early, taking into account your mode of transport and travel or traffic conditions. If you are held up or are running late, and there are players on waitlist, rather than arriving more than 10 minutes late, please consider offering your place to the players on waitlist rather than arriving very late. If the players on waitlist are no longer available, the place is still yours, and you will be expected to turn up as early as you can make it.

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• The forum & modes of communication
• Latecoming, late withdrawals & no shows
• GIFFA system & playing rules

Game kit & equipment

As all our games are played on astro turf, if you play regularly, you should get a pair of all-weather astro shoes, like these:



Exceptions:

i. For the covered pitches at The Grandstand and Kallang, if you don't have a pair of astro shoes, use flat soled shoes (for hard court), or even trainers (basketball or running). If you are new or irregular and don't even have flat soled shoes or trainers (hard to believe, but I'll take your word for it), you may, as a one-off exception, use boots with soft plastic blades or small studs.

ii. For the uncovered pitches at Serangoon and Macpherson, if you don't have a pair of astro shoes, you can use boots with soft plastic blades or small studs, as flat soled shoes or trainers are not suitable when the pitch is wet.

Where a player uses blades or studs, the onus is on the user to take extra care not to catch other players with the blades or studs.

You should also have both a white top and a red top.

Balls are provided at the venue. However, as the quality of the ball provided may vary greatly, players are encouraged to bring their own balls. Our preference is for a reduced bounce size-4 or size-5 ball, but an ordinary size-5 ball will do. If there is more than one ball available, team selectors/captains should discuss and agree on the choice of ball. If a ball brought by a player is used up to the end of a game, and it is reported on the report thread to the game, the player will receive $1 credit for the first 35 times that ball is used.

Gloves (for taking turns in goal) and shin pads, are optional.

If you wear glasses, have a strap to keep your glasses in place, or consider sports goggles.

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• Game kit & equipment
• Safety, health & sustainability

The game, reports, credits, round ups & tables

Apart from arriving early, players are expected to put in reasonable effort during the game, co-operate with the team selectors/captains, and continue to play until at least the end of the time slot, unless a player has to leave the game earlier due to injury or an emergency.  If a player is injured, he should continue in goal if he can.  The final decision whether an injured player can continue in goal or has to leave the pitch is that of the player concerned. The alternative is to see if a replacement can be found from those waiting in the vicinity or on neighbouring pitches.  

Our regular games are played in accordance with the Playing Rules & Principles.

As soon as I can after the game is scheduled to start, I will post the report thread for the game on the Post-Game Reports & Comments board under this category. I will thereafter delete and exit the WhatsApp group chat.

The first GIFFA Player to provide a report of not less than 30 words is given a $2 credit.

Team selectors only receive their credits after the report is up. The credit for each team selector is as follows:

* $2 credit for games on a big pitch.
* $1 credit for games on a small pitch.

Where there are no team selectors, but only team captains, team captains each receive $1 credit.

The credits are reflected on the report thread for that game.

There is also a weekly round up and a team selectors/captains table for included results on the Weekly Round-Up, Tables & Game Records board.  The weekly round ups are posted according to 6-monthly seasons, from April to September, and October to March the following year, with one thread for each season.  

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• GIFFA system & playing rules
• Reports, polls & chat
• Team selectors/captains & line ups
• GIFFA values, principles & standards
• Player groups, lists & playing records

Safety, duty of care & disclaimer

Safety is a priority. Contact sport such as our football games carry an inherent risk of injury, arising from normal play. However, players should take reasonable care not to cause injury to other players and themselves through carelessness, or reckless or intentional acts. Players are reminded that reckless or intentional acts which cause injury to another player may give rise to civil or even criminal liability.

This message board is facilitative, and I cannot be responsible for incidents during a game, conduct by one player against another, or the condition of the venue or pitch our games are play at. Players are responsible for their own actions. I am limited to imposing appropriate sanctions after the event. For the condition of venues and pitches, I will raise the matter with those who own and operate the facility.

Our games are competitive and can get heated on occasion. Do not allow the heat of the moment to cloud your judgment. Anger or a sense of grievance is no excuse for reckless tackles, retaliation or assaults on other players. Issues arising during a game that are not resolved immediately are best dealt with after the game, either in a post-game discussion at the venue, on the report thread, sending me a personal message on this message board, or sending me a message by WhatsApp or SMS. Do not allow the heat of a particular incident to affect the rest of the game, or your conduct and actions during the remainder of the game.

If you are or have been ill, or are carrying or recovering from an injury, please consider whether you need more rest, or need to consult a specialist. I reiterate that each player is responsible for his own well-being.

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• Safety, health & sustainability
• GIFFA system & playing rules
• GIFFA values, principles & standards
• Our regular venue & pitches

Appendix I - Basic standard

Although the GIFFA-defined games are social, they are also competitive. It is difficult for those who have not played much football before to join our games, unless they have a lot of other sporting experience.

A broad set of skills and attributes include:

• First touch.
• Player awareness & positional sense - awareness of where you are on the pitch and what's going on around you, including movements off the ball by your team-mates or opponents.
• Passing.
• Dribbling.
  
• Shooting & finishing.
  
• Tackling and closing down.
  
• Communication.
  
• Speed.
  
• Stamina and durability.
  
• Physical presence or strength.
  
• Tactical awareness and discipline - overall contribution to the team's shape/organization and sticking with the game plan. We don't play with a coach/manager/captain, so each player has to contribute.
  
• Goalkeeping - under the Playing Rules & Principles, all players take turns in goal.
  
  

Although those who play with us regularly find they improve a lot in many if not all areas of their game, you do need to meet a basic standard to fit in in the first place. If you give yourself a "pass" or "fail" on each of the above, you need a pass on a significant number to meet the basic standard.  

For those who feel they do not meet the basic standard, I am always looking to start a more social game.  These are addressed under the "OPSAGE, women's & all-comers' games" announcement and developments thread.

For more information and background, see the following announcements and developments threads:

• Individual skills, attributes & positions
• GIFFA values, principles & standards
  

Appendix II - Current exclusions/sanctions

Nil.