Late Hit

[PSU213]

Originally Posted by waltjp

To suggest a foul on the defense is justified as a warning is a bad idea. The defense is playing within the rules. There's enough other chipping stuff that goes on that could be used if you need to set an example. This play isn't one of them.

I definitely agree not to use the 'late hit' call as a warning. First, as you said, they are playing within the rules. Also, 15 yards is pretty stiff as a "warning" just to tell the players that we are watching that. Anyway, as described, it does not sound like a foul in the OP.

[FootballRef05]

Why did he run 5 more yards before the whistle was blown? I think the wing official would have had a great view of this and been able to blow the whistle when the runner stepped out. If so the "late hit" could have been avoided all together and if not, then flaged

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by FootballRef05

Why did he run 5 more yards before the whistle was blown? I think the wing official would have had a great view of this and been able to blow the whistle when the runner stepped out. If so the "late hit" could have been avoided all together and if not, then flaged

By the time you reach down and grab your whistle and blow it, the runner will be 5 yards if not more before you blow the whistle. Most players who run out of bounds have relaxed. In this case he is still running and is probably anticipating the hit. This seems like a bang bang play so I'd give the benefit to the defense on this play. If it's obvious that the defender would have known he stepped out even if the runner continues, then I'd flag it.

[FootballRef05]

I agree that could happen, I work the flanks a lot and it just seems that the whistle could have been sounded before 5 yards. With what has been described I agree that it doesn't sould like it should have been called.

[cmathews]

Originally Posted by FootballRef05

I agree that could happen, I work the flanks a lot and it just seems that the whistle could have been sounded before 5 yards. With what has been described I agree that it doesn't sould like it should have been called.

If you can see the foot out of bounds, process what you saw, then blow your whistle essentially before a ball carrier can travel two steps, then I would venture to say that you are most likely working with the whistle in your mouth....Be very very careful here as that can tend to lead to inadvertant whistles, and we all know that the only whistle that makes a live ball a dead ball is an IW......JMO

[Theisey]

A sideline play is a real good example of where a quick whistle is needed as soon as you see a foot on the sideline.

Like someone pointed out, the runner does not know he is OOB and most likely the potential tackler is not about to let him continue running down-field as he does not hear a whistle.

All bets are off once a runner knows he is OOB (such as when he does it because he wants the clock to stop) as he usually is moving two, three or more steps into the sideline area. Still need a quick whistle, but not much leeway should be given to any late hit now.

[mcrowder]

[QUOTE=Theisey]A sideline play is a real good example of where a quick whistle is needed as soon as you see a foot on the sideline.

Like someone pointed out, the runner does not know he is OOB and most likely the potential tackler is not about to let him continue running down-field as he does not hear a whistle.[QUOTE]
I'm a "don't blow unnecessary whistles" guy myself, but I completely agree with Theisey on this. This is the PERFECT time for a quick whistle.