Some marching band enthusiasts are in an uproar over new rules limiting the play of marching bands during SWAC football games. Released late last week, the rules offer strict guidelines on timing and decorum for bands in between plays.

Here are the new rules.

Administrative Procedures for Bands

The Rules states:  Persons subject to the rules, including bands, shall not create any noise that prohibits a team from hearing its signals.

Procedures

a.  Once the offensive team breaks the “Huddle” and approaches the line of scrimmage the band shall cease playing.  Bands shall not play music at football games while the ball is play, or while signals are being called by the quarterback.  This means that it is not permissible to use either:

  • Drum roll or beat
  • Cymbals clashing
  • Horn sounds, or
  • Any other kind of musical instrument while the ball is in play is underway in football.

b.  It is designated that for all Conference games the visiting band be allowed to perform during the first dead-ball, team or official timeout.  The home team band will be allowed to play during the next dead-ball, team or official timeout.  From that point on, both the visiting team and home team bands shall alternate playing during breaks in play for the rest of the contest.  At no time are both bands allowed to play simultaneously during the game.

1st Timeout                 Visiting Team Band

2nd Timeout                Home Team Band

3rd Timeout                 Visiting Team Band

4th Timeout                 Home Team Band

5th Timeout                 Visiting Team Band

6th Timeout                 Home Team Band

c.  The half-time intermission shall be limited to 20 minutes.  The clock will start immediately when both teams and the game officials clear the field.

  • Visiting Team Band shall play first
  • Home Team Band shall play second

d. No penalty flags will be thrown, nor will any team be penalized. The referee will stop play and announce to the fans that he is asking the band to stop playing.  This will also signal the public address announcer to make the same request.  The game officials will do this twice per team.

Any additional violations should be reported to the Coordinator of Football Officials who in turn will advise the Conference office. Bands found to have violated the policies listed above may be subject to the following penalties.

  • 1st Offense – public reprimand and censure;
  • 2nd Offense public reprimand and suspension from performing during the next contest and/or a fine to be determined by the Commissioner;
  • 3rd Offense suspension from performing for the remainder of the season.

Is this an effort to stifle marching bands during football games? Not at all. In the highly competitive nature of college marching bands, particularly those at historically black colleges and universities, its necessary to keep the emotions and noise to a minimum during the game.

Is it an effort by the SWAC to specifically limit its member schools’ bands? I don’t think so. I recently attended Morgan State’s opening season loss to Towson University last weekend, and the same rules were in effect. Sitting by the Bears’ band, I observed their drum majors and conductors informing them about “new NCAA rules,” that were very similar to the regulations listed here.