Football Dad -- "Late Hit"

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

YouTube link.

Apparently there was about a 20 minute parent brawl afterwards.

What do we, as officials, do in that situation?

Stand back and take names and numbers, where possible.

[FredFan7]

Stay out of the melee. Some "fans" could use this opportunity to take some frustration out on you.

I'd also say there would be no more football that day. Suspend the game and let the league sort it out.

[OverAndBack]

Would we run the risk of being held liable if a kid got hurt while we were standing off to the side, doing nothing but being a witness, when we could have at least gotten kids (these being little kids - high schoolers I'm not so worried about) out of the way of potentially being hurt?

I'm just askin', because you know somebody would try to make the case that we're in charge and by bailing out, we were complicit in some way in a kid or kids getting hurt.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

Would we run the risk of being held liable if a kid got hurt while we were standing off to the side, doing nothing but being a witness, when we could have at least gotten kids (these being little kids - high schoolers I'm not so worried about) out of the way of potentially being hurt?

I'm just askin', because you know somebody would try to make the case that we're in charge and by bailing out, we were complicit in some way in a kid or kids getting hurt.

They are wearing pads, I'm not. There's 100 of them (plus the parents) and 3-5 of us. I don't think we could be held liable for staying the hellO out of the way.

[OverAndBack]

In a pee-wee game, there's probably two of us.

Fair enough point.

Then again, litigiousness knows no common sense whatsoever.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

In a pee-wee game, there's probably two of us.

Most leagues that I have worked in this area had 3 or 4 officials. If I am not mistaken I believe I saw at least 3 officials on this particular game.

I also think we could if someone really wanted to try to scapegoat the officials. I am not sure what you could have done except make sure the adult did not hurt the kid further. Even then if the guy is bigger, stronger or has a weapon, I do not see how we could be expected to fight this coach. Now if it was me I would have tried to stop it if I felt I had a chance to. It is also not every day you see a lunatic parent running from off the field and attacking a player.

Peace

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Most leagues that I have worked in this area had 3 or 4 officials. If I am not mistaken I believe I saw at least 3 officials on this particular game.

Hmmm. The league I've done games in only has two, but it's not 12-13 year olds, either.

When I was 14 and played, we had three at least (looking back at old photos).

I guess I'm doing 9-10 year olds.

In any case, good point. If I had a chance to stop an adult from laying out a kid (though it happened so fast), I would try, but if there's going to be a fracas, I'm not going to risk getting hurt.

As a wise man once told me, "Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6."

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

Would we run the risk of being held liable if a kid got hurt while we were standing off to the side, doing nothing but being a witness, when we could have at least gotten kids (these being little kids - high schoolers I'm not so worried about) out of the way of potentially being hurt?

I'm just askin', because you know somebody would try to make the case that we're in charge and by bailing out, we were complicit in some way in a kid or kids getting hurt.

REPLY: Not really sure, but I would think that getting involved (pulling people apart, pushing people away, etc.) would put us in an even greater position of liability. I have a friend (lawyer) who is a renowned expert in the area of sports and the law. I'll ask.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: Not really sure, but I would think that getting involved (pulling people apart, pushing people away, etc.) would put us in an even greater position of liability. I have a friend (lawyer) who is a renowned expert in the area of sports and the law. I'll ask.

I believe I know what your friend's advice will be.

Getting involved could make you liable. What happens when you're restraining someone who gets hit why he can’t defend himself? What if you pull someone away and you end up injuring that person?

Besides the fact that the officials may make a very inviting target for some knucklehead.

Let the field administrator handle it. Call the police. Protect yourself.

[kdf5]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

Would we run the risk of being held liable if a kid got hurt while we were standing off to the side, doing nothing but being a witness, when we could have at least gotten kids (these being little kids - high schoolers I'm not so worried about) out of the way of potentially being hurt?

I'm just askin', because you know somebody would try to make the case that we're in charge and by bailing out, we were complicit in some way in a kid or kids getting hurt.

Not as big a risk as you'd run having some parent, who's lying, saying that you punched them or you punched their kid or you caused an injury when you grabbed them, etc, etc, etc. I'd stay completely out of it.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

Would we run the risk of being held liable if a kid got hurt while we were standing off to the side, doing nothing but being a witness, when we could have at least gotten kids (these being little kids - high schoolers I'm not so worried about) out of the way of potentially being hurt?

I'm just askin', because you know somebody would try to make the case that we're in charge and by bailing out, we were complicit in some way in a kid or kids getting hurt.

We as officials are in charge of the game on the field. Game administration is charged with maintaining a safe and secure environment including protecting us officials. If that means having armed police surrounding the field, it is the job of game administration.

If a brawl breaks out with fans charging the field there could be the likelyhood of some misguided individual using the opportunity to "get those zebras that cost us the game."

Even a brawl among players, you can attempt to stop the fight but if you are in a position where you can get injured, you should remove yourself and let the coaches and game adminsitration handle it.

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

Would we run the risk of being held liable if a kid got hurt while we were standing off to the side, doing nothing but being a witness, when we could have at least gotten kids (these being little kids - high schoolers I'm not so worried about) out of the way of potentially being hurt?

I'm just askin', because you know somebody would try to make the case that we're in charge and by bailing out, we were complicit in some way in a kid or kids getting hurt.

Start grabbing players, and you'd be sued for child abuse.

Bob