Blocks/Hits away from the play

[TXMike]

I'd want to be absolutely sure the blockee is clearly not participating in the play or trying to do so before flagging an otherwise legal hit away from the play. Some of these kids will run after the play and might be getting downfield to be there in the event of a loss of possession. I see no problem with them being blocked. The kid that has clearly given up is NOT someone who should be subject to a free shot.

[waltjp]

These are not hard to distinguish. You'll see the blocker sizing up his victim and then taking a charge at him.

[Cal]

this used to be a fairly common occurance before nf included the rule in the book. since we started enforcing the rule, almost all of these occurances have dissappeared.

[grantsrc]

I say make every effort to make this a live ball foul, not a dead ball foul. Penalize them for the cheap shot and the stupidity of the hit by taking the points off the board. Send the message that these hits are unnecessary. This is not a football related move and all it does is create an atmosphere of hostility. Call it early, call it often, and it will go away.

As for the talking to, in Pop Warner this should be flagged, not a talking to. There's no need for it.

[refbuz]

Originally Posted by grantsrc

As for the talking to, in Pop Warner this should be flagged, not a talking to. There's no need for it.

I think that your missing the point. We are talking about trying to talk to a player BEFORE the hit, not AFTER

If your close enough to a player to say "don't hit him" before he does, are you trying get their attention by talking to the player or are you just watching it happen and throwing a flag?

This is a foul that can be avoided with a little off ball preventative officiating.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by grantsrc

Send the message that these hits are unnecessary. This is not a football related move and all it does is create an atmosphere of hostility.

Our Jr. Pee-Wees did this a lot in practice sessions (!), and it definitely does!

[Texas Aggie]

If its an "otherwise" legal block, that means by definition it wasn't against a player "out of the play" (or however you want to say that). Those hits are illegal (at least in NCAA) as a rule.

To me, you always call cheap shots and sort those out as needed. The gray area is illegal blocks in the back or holding, say, 10-15 yards or more behind the play. Unless they fall into or come close to the cheap shot category, I'm likely to let those go. No advantage gained.

[BuckeyeRef]

I usually see this in the Jr. High games in our area. In fact, I just had one two nights ago. 40 yards behind the runner, offensive player turns and puts shoulder right into chest of defensive player. Defensive player was knocked down and touchdown was called back. Coach insisted there was no such penalty in the rule book.

In my experience I can see these hits coming and will tell the players not to hit someone. Most times when I have called this penalty the coaches are pretty understanding and tell the player there is no reason to block someone who is 40 yards behind the play.