What to call

[mikesears]

If a player is "head hunting" and the ball is live, my philosophy is to bring the ball back and mark off the penalty. If the ball is dead and the foul occurs, treat it as a dead ball foul. The only change I wish the NF would make is to allow a choice of spots for dead ball fouls on a scoring play (try or succeeding kickoff). I don't feel I can go wrong by applying the rules as written and as kentref has offered, it prevents similar things from happening later.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by mikesears

If a player is "head hunting" and the ball is live, my philosophy is to bring the ball back and mark off the penalty. If the ball is dead and the foul occurs, treat it as a dead ball foul. The only change I wish the NF would make is to allow a choice of spots for dead ball fouls on a scoring play (try or succeeding kickoff). I don't feel I can go wrong by applying the rules as written and as kentref has offered, it prevents similar things from happening later.

One of the reasons officials are reluctant to enforce as written is coaches don't like stupid penalties that take scores off the board and for many high school officials enforcement could lead to serious consequences by the coaches.

I agree the rules committee should look at this problem. If the rule is not enforced then it opens the door for further unnecessary action. Enforcement as a USC or a dead ball personal brings ethics into question.

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

One of the reasons officials are reluctant to enforce as written is coaches don't like stupid penalties that take scores off the board and for many high school officials enforcement could lead to serious consequences by the coaches.

Sorry if those who have to deal with that sort environment take offense, but if you are adjusting your calls to satisify the mood of a coach, you don't belong on the field.

[BuckeyeRef]

One of the reasons officials are reluctant to enforce as written is coaches don't like stupid penalties that take scores off the board and for many high school officials enforcement could lead to serious consequences by the coaches.

I agree the rules committee should look at this problem. If the rule is not enforced then it opens the door for further unnecessary action. Enforcement as a USC or a dead ball personal brings ethics into question.

I have called this live ball personal foul at least three times a year on lower level games. Every time I have called it and taken the score off the board the coach has asked for an explanation and I have given it to him. Not one of the coaches has disputed the call. On the good side, I haven't had to make this call in a varsity game, so the coaches must be teaching the players something.