Kneeling play, LB dives at QB

[mcrowder]

DeRock - that is the worst thing you could do. If you tell Defense to stop playing, they you deprive them of a possible benefit should offense flub the snap. At most - tell defense, "If they take a knee, I don't want to see anything unsportsmanlike." I usually start this with, "OL, defend yourselves" as well. It's just plain wrong to tell defense not to play.

[Derock2004]

Originally posted by mcrowder
DeRock - that is the worst thing you could do. If you tell Defense to stop playing, they you deprive them of a possible benefit should offense flub the snap. At most - tell defense, "If they take a knee, I don't want to see anything unsportsmanlike." I usually start this with, "OL, defend yourselves" as well. It's just plain wrong to tell defense not to play.

I guess I see your point. Maybe I'll rethink my choice of wording to ensure both teams know to continue to play but do not hit the QB while he takes a knee. And I still say if the offense announces they will take a knee, I will penalize them for NOT taking a knee.

[PSU213]

Originally posted by Derock2004

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"!

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."

[Derock2004]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PSU213
[B][QUOTE]Originally posted by Derock2004
[B]

Originally posted by MJT

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."

If I announce that A will be taking a knee, they will take a knee. Mainly because A just openly declared to the officials and the defense that they do not intend to run a play. Under these circumstances I will not allow them to run a play. The more I think about this, the more I am starting to agree that it is best to say nothing. However, if you do announce it, A must take a knee.