How would you handle this?

[Fedex]

The youth game is played under fed rules. This game would be the equivalent of a good middle school game. The infraction was blatant and the coach was already in my ear about them not being set as my flag was being thrown. There wasn't any letting it go. They were still getting set as the snap happened. My question is about the white hat insisting on calling it something it isn't. It wasn't a false start! What if it would have happened again? How can I justify my knowledge of the rules if I shut this play down. I guess I'm wondering if anybody else has been put in this situation.

Scott

[wisref2]

Another chance for my famous saying:

You're gonna get yelled at anyway, so get yelled at for doing the right thing. I would keep calling it correctly, and let him keep making the mistake.

After the game, I would talk to the white hat and explain why this is a foul at the snap and not a false start. I was in that situation when I joined my first varsity crew. Took a while, but I finally convinced them that I was right. I also made sure we talked about the difference at our local association meetings so that everyone, especially the "experienced" guys, understood the rule.

[MJT]

Explain to the WH that the reason it is LB fouls is cuz it is not a foul UNTIL the snap cuz until the snap it can be corrected. So if the snap was a second later, you would not have had a foul. You might also mention that it is no different than an illegal formation, which also can be corrected.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by MJT

Explain to the WH that the reason it is LB fouls is cuz it is not a foul UNTIL the snap cuz until the snap it can be corrected. So if the snap was a second later, you would not have had a foul. You might also mention that it is no different than an illegal formation, which also can be corrected.

Possibly the ref knew Fed rules just fine and was applying an unspoken, unwritten "youth football philosophy" that says futile plays are to be killed. He may not even have wanted the infraction flagged if the opposing coach hadn't thought the other team was gaining an advantage by it on previous downs.

Robert

[bigjohn]

and depending on who the home team is!

[wisref2]

Just to give you a little more ammo in your discussion:

A false start is movement that simulates action at the snap. Not being set does not simulate action at the snap. Going down into a three-point stance as the ball is being snapped is not simulating action at the snap (players get up at the snap, they don't go down!), etc.

[Fedex]

Thanks for the replys, guys. I will stick to my guns and continue to call it properly. I do appreciate it!

Scott