Sportmanship--What can officials do?

[voiceoflg]

What is the definition of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty? Could you flag something like not returning a punt just to rack up yards as "unsportsmanlike?" Now that I think about it, you probably can't get into "intent," but if there is unsportsmanlike conduct on the field in this instance, there would be an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for it.

Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. I would have loved to see the running back and head coach ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. But that would probably open up a can of worms unnecessarily.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by voiceoflg

What is the definition of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty? Could you flag something like not returning a punt just to rack up yards as "unsportsmanlike?" Now that I think about it, you probably can't get into "intent," but if there is unsportsmanlike conduct on the field in this instance, there would be an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for it.

Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. I would have loved to see the running back and head coach ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. But that would probably open up a can of worms unnecessarily.

2 problems. The RB was not exhibiting UC - so it would not be appropriate to penalize him. Also - penalizing them for UC for not returning a punt would only HELP their cause - remember, they were trying to make the field as long as possible for this kid.

Surprised the OTHER coach didn't take matters into his own hands. Why punt - ever? Why limit themselves to 11 on the field? Incur the 15 yard penalty for IP if necessary (perhaps explaining what you're doing so you don't get the normal DB IS instead). Heck, put 15 guys out there - you stop the kid's run if they decline the penalty, and you shorten the field if they take it, and this kid doesn't get his yards. I don't see this as any less sportsmanlike than the offending team letting punts roll. Intentionally false start or DOG when on offense, running the clock (surely in THIS case the R wouldn't invoke the "clock at the snap" thing).

I don't know ... just thinking out loud.

[jontheref]

In Connecticut we have the so called 50 point rule but that has done little to keep scores down. We do not have a Mercy Rule...however we as R's have been known to run the clock when we shouldn't which basically means the "old timing rules". But, no we don't get together and try to figure out what fouls we should call. The idea is survival...to get everyone out healthy and the like. There is nothing good that is going to happen the longer we are on the field.

[sloth]

This may not be in the same vein as some of the other post, but it has to deal with sportsmanship and my game last night. I'm the LJ. Ball is on my hash. Incomplete screen pass with a defender hitting the reciever (team on other side of the field) a fraction of a second after the ball was incomplete...I have no penalty. Reciever, respectfully, ask me why there was no penalty on the late hit. As I try to explain it to him I hear from an assistant behind me (maybe 5 yards away) "go back to your sidelines cry-baby"...not believeing what I just heard I turn around and see this assistant leaning over and rubbing his eyes in the cry baby sort of sign saying "wa, wa". I know the opponent player say and hear this as he was right by me.

Without a second thought flag was out and we asses a 15 USC on the coach. Later, at the half, the white hat suggested that the best way to handle that is to talk to the head coach and if it doesn't get better then you flag it. I've thought on it since then and have come to the conclusion that I did the right thing and I'd do it again in a second if the same thing happened.

I'm in my third full year as a varsity official (all as LJ). I've been insulted, called names and had my judgement questioned more time that I can count. I've never had an USC on a coach. I have very thick skin and I'm willing to allow a coach some room to vent. I will use preventative officiating in those instances and allow the HC to take care of assistants. But I draw the line at a coach taunting opposing players. Thats one of those things that in my book, gets no warning and no second chances. I'm glad I did what I did despite the objections of the rest of my crew.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by sloth

This may not be in the same vein as some of the other post, but it has to deal with sportsmanship and my game last night. I'm the LJ. Ball is on my hash. Incomplete screen pass with a defender hitting the reciever (team on other side of the field) a fraction of a second after the ball was incomplete...I have no penalty. Reciever, respectfully, ask me why there was no penalty on the late hit. As I try to explain it to him I hear from an assistant behind me (maybe 5 yards away) "go back to your sidelines cry-baby"...not believeing what I just heard I turn around and see this assistant leaning over and rubbing his eyes in the cry baby sort of sign saying "wa, wa". I know the opponent player say and hear this as he was right by me.

Without a second thought flag was out and we asses a 15 USC on the coach. Later, at the half, the white hat suggested that the best way to handle that is to talk to the head coach and if it doesn't get better then you flag it. I've thought on it since then and have come to the conclusion that I did the right thing and I'd do it again in a second if the same thing happened.

I'm in my third full year as a varsity official (all as LJ). I've been insulted, called names and had my judgement questioned more time that I can count. I've never had an USC on a coach. I have very thick skin and I'm willing to allow a coach some room to vent. I will use preventative officiating in those instances and allow the HC to take care of assistants. But I draw the line at a coach taunting opposing players. Thats one of those things that in my book, gets no warning and no second chances. I'm glad I did what I did despite the objections of the rest of my crew.

You are, without a doubt, correct. This is a very appropriate flag for USC. If a player did this, it would be taunting and a USC -- should we hold coaches to LOWER standards?

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Wow. Just... wow. I've met some sorry coaches in my day (and some damn fine ones, too). But that is a new low. Not only would I have flagged this coach, but he's done in my game - I don't care what level it is, crap like that doesn't belong on the football field at all, and from a coach it's inexcusable.

[parepat]

Originally Posted by The Roamin' Umpire

Wow. Just... wow. I've met some sorry coaches in my day (and some damn fine ones, too). But that is a new low. Not only would I have flagged this coach, but he's done in my game - I don't care what level it is, crap like that doesn't belong on the football field at all, and from a coach it's inexcusable.

And what exactly would you flag the coach for? Do you have a case book cite that calls for a foul against a team for being too good?

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by parepat

And what exactly would you flag the coach for? Do you have a case book cite that calls for a foul against a team for being too good?

I suspect we're talking about different things - I was referring to sloth's post in which the coach called an opposing player a "cry baby." I suspect you're talking about the original, running-up-the-score scenario.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by sloth

I've thought on it since then and have come to the conclusion that I did the right thing and I'd do it again in a second if the same thing happened.

Good flag. One thing that burns me is when you do throw this type of flag and it's suggested that you should warn the coach or player first. My opinion is that they try this crap because they expect to get off with a warning because that's how someone else handled it in the past.

Throw that flag and consider that the warning for next week.

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

Surprised the OTHER coach didn't take matters into his own hands. Why punt - ever? Why limit themselves to 11 on the field? Incur the 15 yard penalty for IP if necessary (perhaps explaining what you're doing so you don't get the normal DB IS instead). Heck, put 15 guys out there - you stop the kid's run if they decline the penalty, and you shorten the field if they take it, and this kid doesn't get his yards. I don't see this as any less sportsmanlike than the offending team letting punts roll. Intentionally false start or DOG when on offense, running the clock (surely in THIS case the R wouldn't invoke the "clock at the snap" thing).

I don't know ... just thinking out loud.

Game becomes a travesty, then. You might as well play APBA.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

Game becomes a travesty, then. You might as well play APBA.

You're probably right.