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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: fudilligas on February 22, 2018, 08:59:06 PM

Title: Drones
Post by: fudilligas on February 22, 2018, 08:59:06 PM
got into a discussion the other night about whether or not drones flying above the field are allowed....i thought i had read somewhere that they were not allowed but i may be mistaken....would not be the first time....if not allowed how should it be handled
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: prab on February 22, 2018, 09:21:17 PM
There was a previous lengthy discussion of drone policy, the last post being in September, 2015.  Go to page 28 on this forum and you will find it.  If I remember correctly, there was no NFHS policy and each state was allowed to act as they saw fit.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: GA Umpire on February 22, 2018, 09:27:40 PM
Below is from the GHSA Constitution and By-Laws.
A game report to the GHSA office is required if a drone is observed.

Drones  shall not be permitted to fly during any GHSA sanctioned contest.
Note: This prohibition begins when the gates or doors open and extends until the last spectator has left the field or arena.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: GA Umpire on February 22, 2018, 09:30:13 PM
got into a discussion the other night about whether or not drones flying above the field are allowed....i thought i had read somewhere that they were not allowed but i may be mistaken....would not be the first time....if not allowed how should it be handled
As already stated, it appears to be left up to each state.  1-7 and Table 1-7.
Title: Drones
Post by: CalhounLJ on February 23, 2018, 07:35:26 AM
Just curious jaw- who enforces that policy?


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Title: Re: Drones
Post by: BIG UMP on February 23, 2018, 09:21:29 AM
In Tennessee it is up to game administration to set the policy and enforce it.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: AlUpstateNY on February 23, 2018, 09:22:46 AM
"Stupid is as stupid does", and it would appear GHSA has decided what is really stupid, and has taken the opportunity to PREVENT stupid.

Considering what we see daily, as the potential of what can be done with drones plays out in front of us, allowing (condoning, excusing, supporting) ANY use of drones in the vicinity of large (or even smaller) crowds is simply STUPID (bordering on INSANE).

If YOU decide to participate in a contest, where drones are allowed, YOU accept whatever consequences, and liabilities, for WHATEVER may happen.  Game Management, allowing such activity (under ANY circumstances) is inviting you to play Russian Roulette.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: gmgiesey on February 23, 2018, 09:26:52 AM
In Missouri, drones are not allowed inside the 2 yd restraining lines.  So if there is one above the field, we are not to resume play until the game administrator corrects it.

Most schools ban them on school property though.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: SouthGARef on February 23, 2018, 10:45:28 AM
Just curious jaw- who enforces that policy?


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GHSA has instructed us that if we observe a drone we are to notify the game manager and the game manager handles the situation. I've only had a drone once and the operator of the drone reached out to the game manager well before the game and the game manager and the operator came and spoke with us while we were in the locker room. We went over parameters for the drone with both of them, and I never even saw the drone out there.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: Kalle on February 23, 2018, 11:04:31 AM
Not that I'm condoning it, how do the schools handle it if the operator is outside the school grounds?
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: AlUpstateNY on February 23, 2018, 03:30:47 PM
Not that I'm condoning it, how do the schools handle it if the operator is outside the school grounds?

As GA Umpire reports, it sounds like GHSA has that covered, and is wisely not willing to consider exceptions. 
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: GA Umpire on February 23, 2018, 04:44:14 PM
GHSA has instructed us that if we observe a drone we are to notify the game manager and the game manager handles the situation. I've only had a drone once and the operator of the drone reached out to the game manager well before the game and the game manager and the operator came and spoke with us while we were in the locker room. We went over parameters for the drone with both of them, and I never even saw the drone out there.
As SouthGARef states: we are to notify game management and they should handle the situation.  If game management refuses to handle it, that fact should also go in the game report.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: AlUpstateNY on February 24, 2018, 10:34:32 AM
Although it may not be a "direct" route, the question of "Drones" is likely to extend to the level of "Youth Football", which (often, but subject to modification) is regulated by NFHS Rules and procedure, and serviced by NFHS certified game officials. 

A practical, rational, stated position by NFHS regarding the potential dangers created by the presence of drones and recommendations for dealing with such threats, could serve as a recommended "bench mark" that would serve as general guidance for addressing this issue at  Youth Football levels.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: ElvisLives on February 24, 2018, 12:23:25 PM
if you can’t get folks to act on this issue for the safety and security reasons (the only real and important reasons), let the coaches know the potential for an opponent to use drones for spying and they’ll get that stopped really quickly.  Sad, but true.

Title: Re: Drones
Post by: Kalle on February 24, 2018, 01:51:00 PM
As GA Umpire reports, it sounds like GHSA has that covered, and is wisely not willing to consider exceptions.

Yes, they have forbidden it, but how do you enforce it, if the operator is outside the event grounds and refuses to fly the drone away? Do you stop the game until the drone goes away (this creates an easy way to get an additional long timeout, if needed)?

In Finland enforcement is easy - it is illegal to fly a drone over a crowd (obvious safety issue), so the police can force the operator to stop.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: prab on February 24, 2018, 04:53:34 PM

In Finland enforcement is easy - it is illegal to fly a drone over a crowd (obvious safety issue), so the police can force the operator to stop.

Many of the smaller schools in our area are unlikely to be able to afford moving their games to Finland. 

Some schools in our area may not know where/what Finland is.

There was a recent internet video showing a hawk attacking, and taking out, a drone.  Maybe requiring each school to have at least one trained hawk at each game would work.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: AlUpstateNY on February 24, 2018, 06:45:03 PM
There will INEVITABLY be a serious problem involving drones and large public gatherings, the only question will be whether that incident is attempted despite prudent, reasonable, well thought out rules and protections, already in place to prevent such tragedy, or will it serve as the reason for considering creation, and subsequent implementation of such prudent, reasonable and well thought out rules and protections.

Steadily advancing technology is demonstrating this negative capability daily at multiple locations across the globe.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: SouthGARef on February 24, 2018, 08:25:53 PM
Yes, they have forbidden it, but how do you enforce it, if the operator is outside the event grounds and refuses to fly the drone away? Do you stop the game until the drone goes away (this creates an easy way to get an additional long timeout, if needed)?

In Finland enforcement is easy - it is illegal to fly a drone over a crowd (obvious safety issue), so the police can force the operator to stop.

I think as in all things a little common sense comes into play. If the game manager says he's not aware of a drone being operated on the property and can't figure out where the operator is, the Referee has a decision to make. If the Referee and/or the game manager feels player or spectator safety is impacted the game should be paused until the issue is corrected. If not, continue the game and file a report. Obviously the game manager will probably be already be in touch with the local authorities.

We're never going to write a rule or a policy to deal with every scenario. Sometimes the boots on the ground just have to make the best decision they can.
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: sir55 on February 25, 2018, 07:55:10 AM
I don't know how helpful this will be, but Mississippi (MHSAA) issued this to all of the school districts for dealing with drones:
MHSAA policy on drones (unmanned aircraft systems)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for regulating the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) as specified under Public Law (PL) 112‐95, FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012; Chapter 447 of Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.); 49 U.S.C. & 40102; and Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 1 & 1.1
Understanding that airborne UAS/drones poses a safety hazard, the ____________________ School District forbids anyone from flying a drone or any remote‐controlled aircraft in the skies over any of its school campuses or school properties, including, but not limited to individual schools within the district, football stadiums, and athletic fields without authorization for the FAA.
The FAA has serious concerns about the safety of operating UAS near people or stadiums. Therefore, any school personnel and/or students operating UAS/drones shall familiarize themselves with the FAA website: http://www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/. (The site provides links at the left side and bottom of the home page to the three different types of UAS Operations.)
Additionally, the following three links are beneficial as a reference by illustrating the Do’s and Don’ts of UAS flying pictorially and also the various types of No Drone Zone signage examples for designated prohibited areas, and should be reviewed by any staff and/or students operating or considering operating UAS/drones.
http://www.faa.gov/uas
http://www.faa.gov/uas/publications/media/27231_FAA_KBYF_lores.pdf
http://www.faa.gov/uas/no_drone_zone/
The superintendent or his/her designee shall report any unauthorized operation of UAS/drones
over school property to law enforcement authorities and/or the FAA.
Any person violating this policy could be subject to immediate removal from school property and could be banishment from school property. Violators will also be reported to appropriate law enforcement to include the FAA.
Any student violating this policy shall be dealt with according to the district’s “student code of conduct.” Any school district employee violating this policy shall be subject to formal disciplinary action.
Sample Policy Disclaimer: This policy is provided solely as a sample. Any board of education adopting such a policy should use this sample as a framework or starting point and, after carefully reviewing the applicable laws, regulations and state rules, modify the policy as appropriate to meet the needs of the local school system. Any policy should be carefully reviewed by the board of education’s legal counsel.
This is one of the topics that the school AD's and association assigners cover in their annual meetings. Enforcement is left up to the school superintendent and/or game administrator.

Title: Re: Drones
Post by: KWH on March 01, 2018, 03:56:23 PM
An excellent experimental rule would allow the back judge to carry a shotgun with Bird Shot and be authorized to eliminate any possibility of a Drone.   FlAg1
Title: Re: Drones
Post by: ncwingman on March 02, 2018, 11:42:55 AM
An excellent experimental rule would allow the back judge to carry a shotgun with Bird Shot and be authorized to eliminate any possibility of a Drone.   FlAg1

Added benefit, there will be no more controversial PI (non)calls.