chest bump

[PSU213]

In Pennsylvania, it was ruled by the state that 2 players jumping and bumping chests is USC. Here in Missouri the state has said that since it is not a player drawing attention to himself, it does not qualify as USC unless proloned, done multiple times, etc. I can't really say that I have a strong opinion on this, but I tend to think that that only one of these between 2 players is not enough to make this an unsportsmanlike foul. Just interested in everyone else's thoughts.

[trocared]

This seems to me a "celebrating with teammates" moment akin to high fives. No USC, imo.
cheers,
tro

[ajmc]

There is always a problem when specific lines are drawn and there are always people willing to try and force lines to be drawn. The rules makers want to prevent excessive celebration on the football field, the issue then becomes what is considered "excessive".

There's always someone willing to push the envelope, just for the pure fun involved in doing the pushing. I had the opportunity to run the game clock at a college game this weekend and noticed a number of players wearing those silly little Nike bicep bands around their calves. They don't make any sense around the arms and what they do for the calves is anybody's guess. I presume this is the latest fad, or at least the latest fad I've been exposed to.

If the State of Pennsylvania, or any State regulatory body wants to declare something specific illegal, they have the right to do just that in their own State. That just seems like one less issue there will be confusion about in Pennsylvania and I'll wager there will still be H.S. football played next weekend.

[JugglingReferee]

Two players chest bumping is USC? Who runs football in PA, the No Fun League?

Maybe PA wants them to shake hands. No wait, that is MA.

[wwcfoa43]

What will we have next? Will players be required to send a written memo congratulating their teammates on a nice play...

[BktBallRef]

In NC, chest bumping is not illegal. However, the kids need to continue toward their huddle or bench. it can't become a prolonged act.

Since we started ejecting players for taunting for things like running down the field with their finger in the air, high stepping, and diving into the end zone, we have very little problem with unsporting conduct.

[trocared]

Originally Posted by wwcfoa43

What will we have next? Will players be required to send a written memo congratulating their teammates on a nice play...

written??? no way, most likely texting...
cheers,
tro

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by wwcfoa43

What will we have next? Will players be required to send a written memo congratulating their teammates on a nice play...

REPLY: But if they drop the note after reading it it will be called "Illegal Littering - 5 yds and loss of pen"

[LeRoy]

Originally Posted by PSU213

In Pennsylvania, it was ruled by the state that 2 players jumping and bumping chests is USC. Here in Missouri the state has said that since it is not a player drawing attention to himself, it does not qualify as USC unless proloned, done multiple times, etc. I can't really say that I have a strong opinion on this, but I tend to think that that only one of these between 2 players is not enough to make this an unsportsmanlike foul. Just interested in everyone else's thoughts.

Pennsylvania needs to remember that these are 16 to 18 year old kids let them have a LITTLE fun. I can not see bumping chest a USC. I hope that this does not come up in a title game in Pennsylvania.

[Rich]

I was working a freshman game yesterday that was a bit, umm, one-sided. Kid gets the team's first first down, down about 44 points, and he does a little dance.

Home sidelines is screaming for a foul. I'm laughing and telling the kid to knock it off.

A chest bump? Sure it happens every week we work, but I don't notice, I guess.

[jjrye22]

We used to have a flag league here for kids 8-14 (at 15 the are allowed to play tackle).
One team had a lot of kids and decided to split into 2 team, one of 8-10 and one of 11-14.
Almost all of the other teams had most kids at 12-14 with 1 or 2 young ones, who got in at some point to keep them interested in the game, but played vey little.
All the games against the 'all-youth' team were blowouts, and I was R for the game at the end of the season where they got an interception, and scored a touchdown (2 firsts!)
There is NO WAY I was going to throw a flag when they and the coach all ran into the EZ to hug the RB. Even most of the opponents had a smile on their face to see these little guys so happy!
That coach was great. Always complementing his players, complementing the oppenents, asking questions about the game. Generally just trying to get his young charges interested and invloved, and make sure they didn't feel bad about always loosing.

[ajmc]

I would guess that describing a "chest bump" to 100 officials would paint at least 75 different pictures. As with almost any behavior on a football field, the degree or intensity of the contact has a lot to do with deciding whether, or not, a "talking to" or a flag is the appropriate reaction.

Other factors that usually impact that decision are the game situation, the tone and temperment of the contest, and in a situation like a "chest bump" the spontinaety of the act itself.

The bottom line is that sometimes a chest bump may go over, "the line" and sometimes not. The idea that all such acts are the same and should be treated alike, just like so many other actions in a football game, is nonsense.