New Rules to be Tested at MLQ Divisional Games

In keeping with the trend of using the MLQ Divisional Games as a sandbox for testing how new rules affect gameplay, three changes will be unveiled and used for this year’s round of divisional games on August 11. Last year, players from across MLQ playtested the addition of a scorecap and two-armed tackling during, and the success of these changes during those games is in no small part due to why we felt confident making those adjustments to our league this season.

This year’s divisional games will use the standard 2019 MLQ rulebook with the following three additions:

MULTIPLE SNITCH CATCHES AND ADAPTED SNITCH VALUE
The snitch will still be released during the stoppage at 20 minutes, and seekers will be released 10 seconds after that, however:

  • Catching the snitch will be worth 20 points.
  • Upon a good snitch catch, the snitch referee will whistle one long blast and raise both their arms indicating a good score.
    • Time will not be stopped for a snitch catch, unless there are significant other factors surrounding the play that must be discussed
  • After a good snitch catch is signaled, the snitch referee will start a timer for 1 minute, and both seekers will take their brooms and return to the seeker box, obeying all right-of-way rules.
  • Seekers will be released from the box by the snitch referee when 1 minute on the snitch referee’s timer has elapsed.
    • If a seeker was dismounted when they entered the box, they will leave the box on broom.
    • The snitch referee will give a 10-second countdown for both seekers before they can go back in.
    • Seekers will not be able to sub during the 1 minute after a good catch, and will count toward their team’s gender requirement for that time period.
    • If a seeker is on a penalty when the snitch is caught, that penalty time will continue to run while the seekers are in the box.
      • If a seeker’s yellow or blue card penalty time has not yet expired, they will be “released” from the penalty upon a good score, but they will remain in the box until they are released by the snitch referee with the other seeker.
      • If a seeker’s penalty time expires during one of these 1-minute seeker floors, they will be dismounted upon their return to the pitch.

POSSESSION CLOCK
A 90-second possession clock will be implemented on each drive, as well as a second timekeeper (TK2) to track and announce it.

  • Once a team gains possession of the quaffle inbounds, the TK2 will begin a 90 second countdown clock.
  • The TK2 will give audible call outs once the time reaches 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 10 seconds, and 5, 4 ,3 ,2 , 1.
  • The clock will restart once the opposing team gains full possession of the quaffle (swats and kicks do not count).
  • After time expires, the quaffle will be turned over to the opposing keeper at their own center hoop.

NEW BLUDGERS
Bludgers will be 7” rubber dodgeballs, like the ones found at this link.