proposed Federation changes

[joec]

Football is over in Indiana. The State finals were completed yesterday. At the conclusion of the season, I try and go over some of the things that need changing, at least in my opinion. Well, here goes. Let me know what you think. Your imput is invaluable to me
PROPOSED CHANGE #1
LATE HIT BY DEFENSE AFTER COMPLETION OF 4TH DOWN----let's go over a situation. 4th and 9 at B's 20, late in the 4th quarter. A16 runs for a 6 yard gain and is downed at the 14, well short of the line to gain (LTG). After the whistle, B55 piles on. The way the ruling is now is to have B take over on downs at the 14 before the enforcement of the penalty which will be half the distance to the goal (enforced down to B 7, and set the chains). What I would like to see is to have A keep the ball after the enforcement which would be down to the 7 of B. Give A a 1st and goal, the first down gained by distance. I think the late hit SHOULD be part of the 4th down administration. It seems more equitable that way, at least to me.

PROPOSED CHANGE #2
UNSPORTSMANLIKE FOULS; UNEQUITABLE ENFORCEMENT
SITUATION: 3rd and goal at B's 3. A16 tries a QB sneak and gets to the 2. After the play has concluded, B55 calls A46 a ($%*&^%#!!). A flag goes down. Right after this (but NOT immediately), A55 calls B55 a (&^%(*&)(*&$!!). Another flag goes down. By rule, the dead ball fouls are to be enforced in order of occurrence. B55's foul came first and would be penalized half the distance to the goal (down to B's 1). A55's foul is 15 yards and would back the ball to B's 16. Now, it's 4th and goal from the 16. I have had this happen in about the same way, but always have tried to regard these fouls as simultaneuos or nearly so. If someone goes book on this one, we are "rewarding", essentially, B for "bad conduct." I'd like to see the Federation address this in the off season.

PROPOSED CHANGE #3
PERSONAL FOULS (LATE HITS, ILLEGAL PERSONAL CONTACT)
In Federation ball, there are several situations where automatic first downs are awarded. These are (1) roughing the passer; (2) roughing the kicker; (3) roughing the kicker's holder; (4) defensive pass interference; (5) roughing the snapper while in scrimmage kick formation.
I would like to see the above personal fouls merit an automatic first down. This type of contact is occurring more and more and needs to be dealt with significantly.

Let me know what you think. Thanks very much. Joe Calderazzo, Southwestern Indiana Officials' Association