[Mike Simonds]

Bama is right! The far-side tackle will give you the best key to read regarding run or pass immediately after the snap. Coordinate this key with the Referee so both of you are not looking at the same player after the snap. Remember, don't try to look at all the linemen at the same time. You are responsible for the legality of the snap so keep the center and the ball in direct view until the snap is completed. Repeat to yourself during the game: "Pass block get to the line, run block pick up point of attack".

Here are some other hints others have taught me over the years:

Learn to pickup the point of attack. The fouls that directly affect the play will occur there. Don't be worried about trying to see all the interior lineman at the same time. Just watch a few players at a time. Talk to yourself like: "Wow that was a great block" or "Nice move by the defense". This will burn into your mind what a legal block or legal play looks like and then the fouls will become more obvious. Prior to the game visualize what legal and illegal actions look like. Over the years you will build up an "inventory" of what fouls and legal action should look like and your reactions will improve each game. If a player complains about holding or some other illegal action then tell him you will watch his opponent the next few plays. Then report back to him that the action appears legal or penalize the opponent if necessary. If the game is going smoothly you may decide prior to the snap that you will focus on a particular player during the next down. Then you can rotate through the entire interior line and their opponents during the game.

I have learned that its better to have many words (compliments and warnings) with players and save the flags for the really big fouls that affect the play and/or involve player safety and/or involve an obvious foul (false start, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc.).

[Edited by Mike Simonds on Aug 15th, 2002 at 03:08 PM]