Illegal Blocks "in the back"

[Rich]

Does anyone else live in an area where coaches don't understand what constitutes an IBB?

Last night, we're coming in at halftime. Score is 41-7, visiting team. Home coach was screaming on the last touchdown that we missed an illegal block in the back around the right side. I saw the block while trailing the play (I'm the WH). While definitely not in the front, the block was on the shoulder and the player fell to the side. Clearly NOT an IBB.

As we were walking into our locker room, we had to walk past some of the home team coaches. The coach grabbed an assistant and "demonstrated" the block. He demonstrated it right where it happened, too. To the outside of the left shoulder blade. Wasn't much I could say to him at this point, so we kept on walking.

Watching some game tape yesterday from last week, I saw my BJ flag such a block on a punt return. The hit was clearly to the side of the player and the player did not fall forward after the block. I rewound this three or four times and asked the three crew members present -- is this a foul? All were unanimous -- definitely not an IBB. Unfortunately, the BJ wasn't present, but I plan on showing this to the whole crew again at the end of the season when we watch our season of game tapes.

The interesting thing about this film clip was that coaches in the press box were saying how (1) it was a stupid penalty and (2) it was a good call. It wasn't either.

I just think there needs to be some consistency and education out there about this, and I'm not sure how to go about it. I hear it every week from coaches who think a block in the side is, somehow, illegal.

Guess I just wanted to vent, somewhere.