Expectations for a great weekend, and what counts as a casualty?!

A few final things to consider before the tournament starts

You and your team have signed up to The Home Nations, you’ve been waiting all year for this, and the moment is at hand. Before we get lost in the excitement of a great weekend and some spicy Blood Bowl lets look at a final check-list and the etiquette asked of those attending.

Coaches in JC's on Friday night before the tournament for a social drink and meeting coaches from all over

A few things to remember

• Mark up your player skills before the tournament: Take a few moments before Round One to mark up your players skills so we can get straight into getting acquainted with your new friend rather than fidget with loom bands!

• Be on time: It should be obvious that when you have 300+ coaches in a tournament timing is vital. Don’t be that coach who’s always dragging their heels. Please turn up on time to register or when the round starts. We have international coaches (and even people from Aberdeen!) who have flown and driven long ways to be there.

• Lunch: We have two service areas, upstairs and down. When it comes time for lunch, if you’ve finished your game and lunch is being served please go and get served. Managing the queue is going to be important to smooth running of the tournament - help out and get fed.

• Parking: Parking on campus costs £1 per day at the weekend* (last I checked) and you can pay using the ACPOA app. I’ve been told by the venue that one of the car parks near the Union is out of commission. Never fear there is more parking on campus within a few minutes walk.

• Friday night at JC’s: If you’re going to be in Loughborough on Friday night feel free to come to JC’s the Students’ Union bar. (where the tournament is being held) The last couple of years we’ve seen many coaches congregate to enjoy a few drinks and a social affair. Food served until 9pm (I think)

• Table Service: You will be able to order drinks to your table using the table QR codes. The Bar will be open for service from 10am. Enjoy the refreshments and uninterrupted Blood Bowl!

• Pitches: You don't need to bring yours we have got Home Nations pitches ready for you to play on!

Etiquette for the tournament and importantly what counts as a CAS?!

Every one I would hope is bringing their best selves and looking forward to a great weekend. A few key points of etiquette and questions you might have around the tournament:

• Dice expectations: Before a dice is rolled between you and your opponent it’s always worthwhile setting out what you will do if you get a cocked die, one that rolls off your mat etc. That way when the scenario inevitably comes up in the game there can be no confusion and the game can be kept friendly.

• Make it fun for the coach across from you: Yes we’re here to compete, but we’re also here to enjoy ourselves. Make it fun for the coach you're playing against. Dice will inevitably frustrate you, they’ve done it before, they’ll do it again. Choose to have a great time and a great game, regardless of the result

• Need a referee? Ask: We have a new ruleset, some things have changed. If you’re unsure, try to resolve it by asking the team mates around you. Failing that, feel free to ask a Referee to help out. Their ruling will be final, and please respect this.

• Sharing Dice: If your opponent asks to share dice you must agree to share a pool of dice. There’s not a mandatory requirement to use tournament dice

• Playing on a clock: If your opponent wants to use a clock then you must. We would recommend doing so from the start to make sure it’s fair and you keep pace - avoiding that awkward moment when you need to introduce the clock midway through the game. Using clocks are governed by these rules - make sure you know them

• What counts as a casualty: Goblin coaches provided sufficient bribery. This means they’ll be delighted to hear that if a player ends up in the Casualty Box by fair means or foul it counts. Fouls, surfs, snakes, it all counts

• Stalling? Yes, like Eurobowl in Warsaw this year The Home Nations will observe the stalling rule in both the Home Nations Bowl and Open. Be mindful of stray rocks from the crowd who demand to be entertained.

• Painted Team: Part of being able to enjoy the game is making sure the other coach can understand your team without continually asking what’s that and what’s this? That means there is an expectation to have three colours on your models. You don’t have to be Picasso, but your team does need to be painted.

• Tiebreakers for the Bowl:

  • Head to Head

  • Strength of Schedule

  • Total Individual Coach Points

  • Net TDs

• Tiebreakers for the Open: The same, but Head to Head is reversed with Strength of Schedule

Use your common sense, have fun and enjoy meeting coaches from the four corners of The Home Nations and from further afield.

The Home Nations Events Team can't wait to host you this weekend.

We’re as excited as you are. We’ll see you in JC’s Friday night, if you’re in town, if not Registration Saturday morning 9am. Until then, safe travels to Loughborough

Proud Sponsors of The Home Nations