Late Hit
 

Play: RB is going up the sideline on a long run. The FS has an angle on him. About 5 yds or so before contact, the RB steps out of bounds on the line, but continues to run up the sideline (pretty much whole body is in the field of play since he didn't know he stepped out). Then, basically AS the whistle is being blown, the FS hits the RB, sending him out of bounds and gets flagged for a late hit / hitting the RB out of bounds.

I seen this in a game this weekend and i don't believe this should have been called a late hit out of bounds since the RB wasn't slowing up, the contact didn't really take place out of bounds, and neither player was aware that the RB stepped out of bounds.


What would you guys have called?

If the runner doesn't know he is OOB's and is running straight upfield yet, and no whistle or the whistle is just starting, I don't know how you could call LHOOB's. It is not a play where the runner has definitely stepped OOB's and then is contacted. I think I'd have to see it, but what you have described to me would seem to be nothing.

Were you at my game this weekend? We actually had a play similar to this. The only difference was that the running back stepped OOB, continued a little, but was not moving at full speed and was right on the OOB line.

I think this is a judgement call depending on the situation. In your example, it could go either way. If there is no way to tell if he was OOB or not, you have an out by saying that the RB's movement gave no indication that he was OOB. But if he lets up, even a little, I think I would err on the side of caution and flag this.

I have 2 trains of thought here. The first deals with the actual play. It does not sound like there is direct knowlege that the runner is out of bounds. I think it is probably a good no call. But the other thought is...in this day and age of what happens in college and the pros filters down the following week in high school...I wouldnt have a problem with a PF to send the message that "hey we are watching and dont go any further." I dont have a problem with either way.

IF the runner is clearly out of bounds (2 or 3 steps) and there's contact I'll flag it, whistle or not. Of course, this will get the coach irate because the whistle hasn't blown. In this case where the runner stepped on the line or just out of bounds and hasn't given himself up as a runner the benefit of the doubt has to go to the defender.

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.

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.

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:eek:

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.

[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.