mechanic for a fair catch

[Bob M.]

Originally posted by ljudge
So, Bob are you saying after the penalty has been accepted it's still unacceptable to ask the coach how he wants to put the ball in play? I absolutely agree it's up to the coach to decide what he wants to do next. Do I understand you correctly in that you feel we're "coaching the coach" if we tell him what his options are? In other words if he doesn't know those options even exist is the onus on him to know the rules better or is it our job to let him know what options are available to him?

REPLY: Though the word "unacceptable" might be a little strong, yes, I do think it's not really appropriate for the official to be offering the coach options for how to put the ball in play. The only thing I will ask him is where (between the inbounds lines) he wants the ball placed since that is really part of the process after a fair catch or awarded fair catch. I do believe the onus is on the coach to know his options, and our responsibility is to ensure that he operates within those options. But again...that's just an opinion. Others may feel differently.

[kentref]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ljudge
[B] Our position representative told me he offers the full range of choices when the ball is at or inside K's 30 which would be a 40-yard field goal if R elects to free kick. Some officials are of the opinion that a coach should know this rule and when to ask for a free kick with the opinion that the R was "helping" the receiving team in this situation by informing the coach of this rule. I disagree with this and like what my rep told me. I would give the entire explanation when inside K's 30 and I would tell the captain if he accepted the penalty I would then give him the choice to snap or free kick the ball. And, I would give the choice to the captain.

Good discussion by all. I tend to agree with ljudge, but I can also envision some captains just staring at you with that "duh, what do you mean I have an option?" look.

Anyway, I'm going to bring this up in our rules meetings later this summer to see how our association wants to handle it.