Blocks/Hits away from the play

[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.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeRef

...Coach insisted there was no such penalty in the rule book.

REPLY: And if you had your rule book on the field, you could have taken it out and showed him! (Sorry BuckeyeRef..it's Friday and I couldn't resist.) I hope you don't mind.

[BuckeyeRef]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: And if you had your rule book on the field, you could have taken it out and showed him! (Sorry BuckeyeRef..it's Friday and I couldn't resist.) I hope you don't mind.

It was a lower level game so the rule book was actually in my car. The coach did have a rule book on the sideline and wanted me to show him, but I told him no. After the game I offered to show him the rule in his book, but the coach told me he had already found the rule.

And, I don't mind. All in good fun.

[Welpe]

We called this penalty no less than 6 times in two youth games this last weekend. During the first game, the offending team's coach asked what the penalty was for, when we told him he said "Oh man I forgot that was a penalty!" Evidently this reminder wasn't enough to keep his players from doing it twice more.

There was one hit during the last game that in hindsight, I should have ejected a kid for. I guess I was a little hesitant to pull the trigger as a new guy.