BIB and safety

[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.

[Forksref]

Do I see officials actually debating safety?

I hope that doesn't influence how you call a foul. Yikes.

[Mike L]

Of course it influences whether a call is made or not!!!
Safety related fouls are called no matter where they happen on the field. Non-safety related fouls are usually called only at the point of attack and if they actually did something to gain an unfair advantage.
Or do you call holds that occur on the opposite side of the play?

The debate is, is a BIB a safety related foul?

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by Mike L

The debate is, is a BIB a safety related foul?

Thanks for clearing that up for me. It sounds like since some do not view it as a safety issue, that it shouldn't be called as much.

I believe it is a safety-related foul, depending on the severity of it. e.g., if I see a BIB that is a push in the back away from the play, I am not calling it. That is a #3 above. If the guy flattens the other guy with a BIB, even if it is away from the play, it is a #1 above. If a guy pushes the opponent in the back and it affects the play, I am calling it.

And...it is not an offense v. defense case as I have called BIB on the defense before.

IMHO, it IS a safety issue and the guy who got flattened was no longer safe on the field regardless of where it occurred.