Jumpstarting 9-Man
The Attempt to take 9-man one step higher

Why do we play this game? Some guys are in it for the trophies. Some want the tourney t-shirt. Some want to relive glory days, or achieve glory they’ve never had. Some want the team camaraderie. If you are in this list, what I’m going to say isn’t for you. It might even upset you. I hope it makes you think, and it challenges you to push yourself, to be more than yourself.

Then there’s one group that just wants to compete against the best. Those are the guys I understand. They don’t drop levels to win a cheap title. They don’t back down against the best. They don’t switch styles to improve their chances for a title. They don’t jump on someone else’s bandwagon for a title. They work. They fight.

They compete.

And 9-man flag is the best of the best. Even with the rise of 9-man in the South and Texas, the cradle of that style is Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. This is where the names of the Rattlers, the Cowboys, the New Breed, and Coors Light remain respected, and where the tops of the USFTL reign in the Packers, Omni Fitness, the Bucs, the Brothers AC, the Metro Chiefs, and the Nomads are still known across associations.

So what is the Union doing to jump-start 9-man?

1. Leagues. The MCFFU has added leagues in Baltimore, Hagerstown MD, Harrisburg PA, Washington DC, and Boston in the past few months. All are ineligible leagues, and most are 9-man leagues. We are also in contact with leagues in New Jersey and other areas of Pennsylvania, in order to expand the market.
2. Tournaments. The MCFFU has added regional tournaments that will include 9-man in Hagerstown (don’t laugh, it’s an easy drive from NJ, OH, PA, and DC, and has great fields) and Washington DC. Look for Baltimore, New Jersey (Atlantic City or elsewhere), and possibly Ocean City MD as future tournament locations.
3. The West. The West has never had 9-man as an option. However, the 8-man eligible that is played in California and elsewhere can be adapted rather easily to the 9-man Ineligible style. They use big offensive linemen who rarely go out for passes, and are as strong as the big boys back east.
4. 8-man ineligible. The differences between 8-man and 9-man ineligible are slim at best. The argument in favor of 8-man has always centered on the difficulty in finding a willing and able offensive line. Both styles use 3 offensive linemen. However, if that were the case, why would the player removed from the field be a skill position? Teams like the Brothers AC and Scorpions have enjoyed success against the best 9-man teams, although they play 8-man as well.

So here is the challenge. The MCFFU is here; ready to roll, in the Northeast. Ask around, the tournaments are well run; the Union follows through on prizes, and has the support of the media (who doesn’t want to be on ESPN at some point?), and major sponsors in entertainment (Bud Light, Hooters), travel (Avis with more coming) and equipment (Russell Athletic, Adidas and Acacia). Keep your eyes open for the Regional tournaments here in the Northeast.

Come play and compete. We have the backing; we just need the teams to play.

Isn’t that what 9-man is all about?