BIB and safety

[Welpe]

The defender also can't defend himself from many sideblocks but those aren't illegal either.

[Texas Aggie]

By far, most injuries occur on legal blocks. So it isn't a safety issue any more than football the game is a safety issue. I would also argue that blocking below the knees from the side (legal -- at least in NCAA) is more dangerous than from the back (illegal in all codes). So in this sense, we could argue all day about what is truly an unsafe block, legal or illegal, and what isn't.

BIB is a 10 yard penalty and like holding, should be flagged at the point of attack only -- or at least, only then and in very limited other situations. If the BIB is 10 yards behind a runner, for example, we ignore it. Of course, we play by NCAA rules and get input from college conferences on how to enforce certain things. Fed may want that called but I would have a real hard time flagging that play under any code.

[Jim D.]

Here are some comments from the NFHS Offical's Manual -

The basic requirement for all sports officials is courage. When there are infractions, officials must penalize promptly and consistently. Vigilant administration of the playing rules permits no tolerance for fouls, infractions or violations. Regardless of the pressure from fans, coaches or players, officials must have the courage to call fouls as they occur. When officials accept a game assignment, their responsibility is definite. The protection and welfare of the player is paramount and with this there can be no compromise. Officials who fail to promptly discharge their responsibility of penalizing for infractions are unqualified to officiate interscholastic contest.

[Mike L]

And how exactly does this apply to the subject at hand?

[Jim D.]

Originally Posted by Mike L

And how exactly does this apply to the subject at hand?

I thought the NF comments made an interesting counter-point to the comment "If the BIB is 10 yards behind a runner, for example, we ignore it."

[Jim D.]

In answer to the original question, I was always told and I'm sure I've read somewhere that BIB and clips were saftey issues, which is why they are illegal. The runner can't see them coming and can't brace for them. That's the only difference between the illegal block in the back vs. the legal one in the side or front. (When clipping was made illegal a block below the waist from the front was still legal.)

Obviously a bump or slight push from the back is not a dangerous play, but a hit from the hard enough to knock a player down or seriously off balance would be a saftety issue. At least is seems to be in the eyes of the rules makers.

[Forksref]

3 options:

1 - Foul
2 - No foul
3 - Talking to

All 3 are JUDGMENT CALLS

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Jim D.

In answer to the original question, I was always told and I'm sure I've read somewhere that BIB and clips were saftey issues, which is why they are illegal.

After-the-fact justif'n. Clipping was outlawed 60-70 years before BIB was.