The 9-Man New Testament - 365 A.O.

 

 

From humble beginnings, 9-Man has quickly grown into a prime-time division and headed towards becoming flag football's premier style. It seems like years ago that 9-Man was that forgotten style; the style that was played on the fields to the far left; out of sight and in the shadows of 8-Man Eligible.

So far left that you would often had to be reminded that they were over there and games were officiated by inspiring, out-of-work 8-Man officials awaiting the chance to be called to the big leagues on the main 8-man field. 

That was the 9-Man Old Testament, where directors preached the gospel of the "9-Man Apocalypse" with all that played having to make a choice soon to change or risk eternal flag damnation in this dying style.

Now we move ahead to the 9-Man New Testament - 365 A.O. (After Orlando) where the 9-Man community has embraced a new direction complete with its own national circuit, national ranking system with value, it's World Championships moved to Miami, FL, played in one of Florida's premier venues, followed by the Super Series in Las Vegas where the style will make a formal debut out west with a chance of being broadcast on a national sports network - all accomplished by the 9-Man teams, players, and supporters working together for a common goal.

 

The Central Broward County Regional Park - New Home of the 9v9 World Championships

 

Of course, there are those that will quickly point out the fact that the numbers of 9-Man simply do not compare to other styles, which makes it inferior in the eyes of some. But that all depends on if the glass is half empty, or half full. As with anything, the higher you move up the less company you have. How many can really play at the highest level of any competitive sport?  All depends on how you view it, right?

Regardless of what you believe as to why there are less teams in 9-Man and more in another, no one can deny that what makes 9-Man so special is it's unity among teams and players nationally and their drive to want more. 9-Man is a true "Flag Fraternity". Yes, 9-Man has its flaws like with any other style in flag, but what other styles lack is the national bond 9-Man has and its willingness to do what it takes to grow.

When comparing 9-Man Ineligible to the 8-Man Eligible you will quickly notice that 8-Man has more teams, playing in more areas, but the 8-Man game is more like "8-Man Vietnam".  Everybody is fighting but no one knows who the enemy is or what the hell they are fighting about; it's literally every director, league, and man for himself - one big bar fight. 9-Man is moving in one direction, while 8-Man is moving in another.

But when it's all said and done, 9-Man is in the best position to be the first style to accomplish new heights in the flag football game and it will not be because it embraces change, innovation, and creativity - but because it embraces national unity first. As long as the unity continues to grow, 9-Man will change the flag game as we know it for the better. Keep watching, because 9-Man is about to become something special...

MIAMI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - JANUARY 15-17, 2010 (MLK WEEKEND)

SUPER SERIES - LAS VEGAS - MARCH 26-28, 2010

Jey Jones

MCFFU National Director

 

FIND A FLAG FOOTBALL DIRECTOR YOUR AREA | MCFFU/USSSA TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION POLICIES