Preventive Officiating
 

If I had heard the coach say " hit someone and knock them down" I would have talked with the defense about not making unnecessary hits or cheap shots, keep it clean, play with class, etc. (Preventive officiating)

"Bulling over" doesn't sound like a foul unless a forearm was thrown or something like that. Just because a knee is being taken, all players must be ready to defend themselves. "Bulling over" the QB would be a foul if he is taking a knee.

Preventive officiating works.

I have a new policy after being burned by a situation where the QB told me he as taking a knee and didn't.

My new policy is that I tell the QB (or the Offense) to protect themselves. I don't tell the defense anything. I may sneak up closer to the LOS if the O's formation indicates they are taking a knee, but I've made it a policy to NEVER tell the defense about the QB taking knee. I've not had a problem with this since I've begun doing it.

My point in talking to the defense was in response to the coach telling his players to "hit someone and knock them down." It had nothing to do with taking a knee. I hate to hear coaches talk like that. The quality of play is a direct result of the attitude that coaches promote.

I never discuss what the offense is doing. As a white hat I may move a little closer to the QB if I think he will take a knee, in order to see the exact moment the knee hits to blow my whistle.