Quote:
Originally posted by Derock2004
Quote:
Originally posted by MJT
Derock, see my post "Take a knee - then throw a TD" below. I agree with you that you can give a 15 yard USC for "unfair act" 9-9, but most are saying to "say nothing." I just think you can also tell the offense, "if you don't, the flag will be on you." I think you can do more if it is more than a one TD game, then if a closer game.
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Most of the senior officials who post here do not agree with my style of officiating but this is what has worked for me for many years and it has proven to be an effective way to end a game when the intent is to take a knee and run out the clock. By announcing it, you are telling the defense and officials that you have no intent of running a play and out of good sportsmanship wish to be afforded the opportunity to safely take a knee without someone trying to take his head off. Under these terms, the offense "will take a knee" or get a foot in their rear end via my flag. I also understand the logic of "say nothing". Perhaps the best way to approach this deals entirely on the skill level of the players. In youth football (where I officiate) announcing the intent to take a knee works great. At the high school level and up, "say nothing" might be better. I don't know...all I can say is "it works for me"!
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I am not a senior official, and I disagree with announcing "they are going to take a knee." As has been discussed before, if you announce this, and B just decides "it's a nothing play, we are just going to stand here," A may decide decided to run, since B is pretty much ignoring them, and it may go a long, long way, or A may botch the snap, and since B is just standing there, the are at a big disadvantage for recovering the ball, and you caused that disadvantage.
Also, I disagree with flagging A for not kneeling it down after they tell you they are. They may announce it to you, then get up to line and see B does not really care about the play, and decide to run a "real" play. I don't think you can blame the QB for not yelling to you "we're not going to kneel it down."