I got nailed tonight

[Rich]

Working R, visiting team in shotgun.

Snap is horrible, bounces right at me. I sidestep the snap and the ball is heading behind me. I hesitate because I know I need to get back on the ball and also because 2 300-pound lineman are coming right for me.

In the end, I decided that the ball is just going to have to sort itself out -- I have wings coming back. But it was too late, a lineman falls forward and his helmet smashes into my left shin.

I worked on adrenaline the rest of the game, but I can barely walk now.

Let's hear good stories about getting hit. After a few (if we get any), I'll tell about the time my umpire led the conference in forced fumbles.

[Forksref]

First college game was a spring game (D-II). I am a wing and a pass is completed and I am running to the spot. After the play is completely over, a D-back comes out of the blue and runs me over. I see my feet and sky as I tumble backwards. After the dust clears, the head coach says, "Help him up!" I get back to the sideline for the next play and the local sportswriter, whom I know from my coaching days, says, "A quicker guy would have gotten out of the way." Thanks!

Lesson learned: College guys play to and beyond the whistle. It's ok to mark a spot 30 yds away from the ball! Be safe.


PS- I got knocked down later in the game on a sideline play where about 7 blockers and tacklers were flying toward the runner near the sideline. I was OOB when I got my legs taken out.

[RoyGardner]

My biggest "hit" was during an EFL game (SE MA semi-pro league). I'm in the U position on what started out looking like a pass play so I'm sliding up between 2 LB's toward the LOS. The "pass blocking" opens up and here comes the RB (Harold Shaw - a 240+ lb former NE Patriot RB) right at me. I try the "I'll hold my spot until he commits to my right or left method" and he just keeps coming right at me. Shaw and the 2 linebackers that I moved up beyond as the play started and me all hit at the same time. I end up flat on my back at the bottom of a big pile with Shaw's facemask on my chin and what felt like the whole defensive team on top of me. It's the only time I'm telling the players to "roll off & use the ground" from the bottom of the pile. After a few seconds I got up feeling like I've been in an auto accident. The rest of the crew was ribbing me all night after that.

Still haven't found the "perfect mechanic" to handle the draw when you're trying to focus on the "pass blocking" and they hide the draw until the last second.

[Rich]

Well, I got nailed in the shin, but this morning my left knee is killing me. Either I overcompensated for the 2.5 quarters I worked after the hit or the hit caused my knee to hyperextend or something.

A few years ago, I'm working as the back judge on a crew and a runner heads right for the umpire. U does a good job holding his ground and is ready to swing the gate when the runner cuts right into him. U (and this is a BIG guy, probably 280 of former college lineman) goes down in a heap and I hear someone yell out "FUMBLE!" The linesman and I just looked at each other before awarding the team the ball. Haven't seen anything like it, before or since.

[wisref2]

Speaking of being too close to the play, here's one from my younger days.

Long pass play and I'm hussling to stay right on top of it (linesman). Catch, tackle and I'm right there with my right leg marking the spot when a DB comes flying over the pile. My right knee is locked in place (gotta get the spot, you know) and his helmet, followed by the rest of his body going full speed hits me directly on the knee. The chain crew said my leg was folded in half.

When I come to, the ambulance guys are there and want to haul me away. I refused, but I did spend several days on crutches but was back the next Friday night (stupid!) when I got hit again. Surgery about a year later fixed everything.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by wisref2

Speaking of being too close to the play, here's one from my younger days.

Long pass play and I'm hussling to stay right on top of it (linesman). Catch, tackle and I'm right there with my right leg marking the spot when a DB comes flying over the pile. My right knee is locked in place (gotta get the spot, you know) and his helmet, followed by the rest of his body going full speed hits me directly on the knee. The chain crew said my leg was folded in half.

When I come to, the ambulance guys are there and want to haul me away. I refused, but I did spend several days on crutches but was back the next Friday night (stupid!) when I got hit again. Surgery about a year later fixed everything.

For me, it was just bad luck, I think. In a shotgun formation, I'm VERY deep. I just didn't expect the snap to be to ME instead of the quarterback.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by RoyGardner

Still haven't found the "perfect mechanic" to handle the draw when you're trying to focus on the "pass blocking" and they hide the draw until the last second.

Been there mysef many times. Growing up Catholic I learned to say a Hail Mary pretty quickly. That's about the only advice I can offer.

[Smiley]

I got hit Friday night, but the little running back went down, not me. I was U and was backing up to avoid a DL who was being driven back by the OL. I decided to step to the side instead of continuing to back up. Apparently the little running back was right behind him and ran right smack into me and went down immediately. All he said was "Aw, man!" I said, "Sorry, I guess you're just too quick for me." And I'm only a little over 200 lbs.

[a4caster]

Just last Friday, had a spot, ask for the ball. Kid wasn't sure where I was, and popped the ball up. Coming right for my face, so I flinched and struck my ear pretty hard. A little tender for a little while, but the "whiplash" held on for the next day. That's nothing...
A few years back, working LJ. Feet were a little sore, so I decided to use the "street" shoes; totally black, but little turf traction. Anyway, game was going good, and about half way through the second quarter, play goes my side. I try to stop short, I see my feet coming horizontal, and BOOM!!! Flat on my back. It was in front of a big audience (>3000) and you could hear the "OOOOHH". Suffice it to say, the cleats came on 2nd half.

[voiceoflg]

Here's one from 9/29 where an official got bumped by A5, then B82. It is about 18 seconds in. Looks like he lowered his shoulder like a hockey check.

http://www.lagrangefootball.com/vide...06HARDAWAY.wmv