Opinions on this?

[ajmc]

Relevance is important, as is context, and the context of this discussion seemed pointed towards some observations that "pinching in" from the sidelines was automatically improper mechanics.

The counter suggestion was simply that considering the significant physical and skill differences between 8 year old children playing football, and other more advanced levels of the game, often calls for practical adjustment to standard mechanics to better deal with the actual circumstances of the game at hand. Such adjustments may well be appropriate, rather than automatically considered improper.

There's little value in critiquing any individual official's performance, at the 8 yr old level from a compiled parental highlite video, unless you might be a mentor for that particular official and were discussing it privately and constructively with the official. There is even less value in assessing perfomance based on mechanics, that may be unique at this level, as compared to how they would be required at more advanced levels.

Football at the 8 year old level is a DIFFERENT game.

[Fedex]

Jeez-o guys...breathe for a second.

I understand and know that youth football is a different level than high school. I do know that some mechanics are adjusted to the level. I get it. I also know that some youth officials do not work high school and are just starting out. I'm also going to take back any comments on laziness, since it's probably not the case.

So...let me rephrase my question. When is it appropriate to pinch to an extreme (like at 5:42 and 7:08 of the video)? What good does it do to be that close to the action? Does anybody teach it like that for 8 year old football?

I appreciate the feedback given by you guys...it's priceless knowledge (No sarcasm here).

Scott

[ajmc]

"pinching in" TOO far is normally not a good idea, at any level, unless there might have been something significant he was responding to, that can't be seen on the video.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Fedex

So...let me rephrase my question. When is it appropriate to pinch to an extreme (like at 5:42 and 7:08 of the video)? What good does it do to be that close to the action? Does anybody teach it like that for 8 year old football?

It does not do much good at all. But honestly I really do not think that is the point. It is a youth football game, with people that are not required in many jurisdictions to do much of anything. You are going to see all kinds of things of the officials (like wearing a jacket on the field) that you would not see other places. Take it for what it is a training ground for people to get some experience. That means you will see all kinds of wrong things.

Peace

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by Fedex

Jeez-o guys...breathe for a second.

I understand and know that youth football is a different level than high school. I do know that some mechanics are adjusted to the level. I get it. I also know that some youth officials do not work high school and are just starting out. I'm also going to take back any comments on laziness, since it's probably not the case.

So...let me rephrase my question. When is it appropriate to pinch to an extreme (like at 5:42 and 7:08 of the video)? What good does it do to be that close to the action? Does anybody teach it like that for 8 year old football?

I appreciate the feedback given by you guys...it's priceless knowledge (No sarcasm here).

Scott

Scott,
I think if you read Bob M's post above you'll get your answers to the first two questions. There are a few specific plays where pre-pinching may be ok, but not to that extent. As for the last question....either the guys in the vid are doing it the way they were taught and/or required to do it or they came up with that on their own. No way for us to know. I do know around my area, I'd be strongly advising them to get back. I'd also have a lot of other recommendations for them, but we'll stick to the pinch question here.

[Fedex]

Thanks guys...I appreciate the answers!