So BPLers have now had a couple of weeks to use a portafield (thanks to LD Stu for an outstanding effort in getting these organised and here, and to QUDA as well).
It certainly makes a difference to the visual feel of the field, particularly at night. The portafield line is certainly more visible than even the chalked sidelines!
There have been a couple of times that people have been caught on the porta-lines, but given the stretch in the material, people seem to be able to recover safely.
Part of the challenge is that the field is not 100% flat (although its pretty good really). But a couple of centimeters of dip is enough to put a tight porta-line above the ground and able to catch a foot.
Perhaps its worth considering some extra very small pegs for a couple of spots? You'd need to feel that the metal isn't a safety issue though. I'm sure the BPL Brains Trust is considering options. Maybe juse a few small timber screws will have enough grab if the soil is dry and firm. But someone will probably need to remember to put them back in if the line gets snagged during a game.
One thing is clear though - teams need to have 2 or 3 people putting the field out and spending 10 minutes doing it, rather than one person doing a 2 minute jog as with cones. Having one person on the roll while others are ensuring the porta-line comes out flat (rather than twisted) will also make things safer and look tidier too.
What's your experience been so far?
6 comments:
I like them, but you're right they need a lot more time to be put out properly - a half arsed effort won't wash.
Was pretty happy with them first game. I didn't feel like I had to be conscious of them, which is a good sign.
Have been told there's been a couple of near-incidents, but personal experience so far (1 game) is good.
Based on putting one out on Thursday, I reckon maybe 3 people is the optimal number for getting a good job done without taking too many people away from teams/warm-up.
Initially, 1 to run the roll out, and 2 to peg/straighten the tape; then once the main field tape is off the roll, one of the 2 splits off and does the endzones while the first 2 finish the main field outline. I reckon it's a 6-8 minute job like this after a couple of practice efforts.
Have to agree that if you're on your own and you catch your toe on the lines, then aside from it interupting your run, its pretty safe as there's plenty of stretch in the line.
But the fear is that there will be a few people nearby when one person catches the line, and it gets tangled amongst a few legs where there isn't any stretch.
I was going to add that the 'tripping' issue needs to be brought up to people's minds in terms of their self-regulation during a game.
If you get caught up in a line, your priority should be your safety and that of those around you. Forget about the game.
Ditto, if you see someone else get caught up, you should apply spirit of the game or similar in terms of what happens next.
I was playing on a porta field some time and I got a bit of speed up and picked it up with my feet.
The line snapped before it became too taught to trip me over.
I loved it last week. Its a great development for the BPL
yeah, at first I thought it was lame but it makes it easier to call ins and outs and it stops me from being dopey and cutting outside the field :P
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