NFHS - Fights

[MRH]

A fellow crew had a game last week in which a fight broke out shortly after the game began. Apparantly, A had fumbled and one of A's RB's felt he was hit after the play was dead and came up swinging. This turned into pretty much a brawl involving several players.

My question is for those of you who have had a multi-player fight break out during the game. How did you handle it? What would you do differently if it happened again?

I plan on making this part of my pre-game, especially in games which we know a bitter rivalry exists.

[ChickenOfNC]

Never had it, but we've always been told to try and intervene only in the initial skirmish, but when all heck breaks loose, step back and start writing numbers.

[ppaltice]

Initially you try and stop the brawl. If it turns into a multi-player fight:

1. The two wing officials should immediately go to their sidelines and keep the benches from clearing. Warn they will be ejected if they pass you, get help from coaches, etc.

2. The other crew members should be shouting, blowing whistles, etc. to try and get the team's attention.

3. All crew members should record color and numbers of the fight's participants.

I have only been involved in one and it diffused quickly with only 3 participants. But we were quick to get between the players to nip it.

[JRutledge]

Had one about 5 or 6 years ago.

We were on the home team's sideline. Two players got into on the ground and unfortunately the home team player had and opponent on top of them going at it by hitting each other. A teammate of the home player on the field came off the bench and "blocked" or hit the opponent off of his teammate. Then I noticed that players were coming off the other bench or more than 11 players were likely on the field. But I simply turned around and said, "Anyone on that is off this field and I find out will be ejected." That simply helped get those kids back and went back.

We could not figure out who actually came off the bench from the visiting team. And since the home team for the most part was pretty much composed we decided to eject only three players. The two players that started fighting after the play was over were ejected and the player that clearly came off the bench and made contact with the opponent that was on top of his teammate.

I was the Referee in that game and that was the best I could come up with. IF we could have identified anyone coming off the bench that might have been easier, but at the moment of chaos that was hard to do. And fortunately for us no one else really got involved in the skirmish.

Peace

[hawk65]

Had one recently during a JV game. Both benches cleared and had a brawl for several minutes between virtually whole teams. Was not able to remember or record one number let alone write it down because of the chaos. Filed a report but because there were no "ejections," I fear both teams will get away with it.

It's easy to believe you will do certain things in such a situation, but until you've been there, you can't understand what it is like.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by hawk65

Had one recently during a JV game. Both benches cleared and had a brawl for several minutes between virtually whole teams. Was not able to remember or record one number let alone write it down because of the chaos. Filed a report but because there were no "ejections," I fear both teams will get away with it.

It's easy to believe you will do certain things in such a situation, but until you've been there, you can't understand what it is like.

Sorry but I can't agree. We've had two fights where multiple players were ejected and did not have a problem identifying them.

I can understand not being able to get kids coming off the bench. Football is a game of free substitutions between downs and most fights occur at the end of the down or between plays.

But to not be able to get the numbers of players throwing haymakers at each other...sorry but I don't see any excuse for that.