White Hats

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by waltjp

When a decision is needed I'll explain the options to the captains while facing the captain's bench so the coach can hear our conversation. I'll also have the wing official relay the choices to the coach. I'll then ask the captain to look at his coach.

The coach will hear, "3rd and 14 or 4th and 3?"

Respect is a two way street, and I've found that sometimes the best friend you will find on a football field (outside your crewmates) is Team Captains. They have been selected for that position and by that selection have earned OUR respect.

NF:2-32-5-c designates the Captain as the team representative during, "Penalty decisions following a foul".

On non complicated or obvious options, after giving a preliminary signal towards the offended sideline, I explain options to the Captain in the simplest, clearest terms (like 3rd & 14 or 4th & 3). I give him a reasonable opportunity to think about it, which may include looking to his coach for guidance.

If he should make what I consider a bad choice, I'll assume I wasn't clear enough in my explanation and go over the options again, hopefully clearer. If he wants help or advice I'll allow him to look to his sideline for help, but I give him the respect he has earned to make the judgment.

When it's a complicated decision or situation, I'll steer the Captain to a place for my explanation that what I say can be overheard by his sideline. Again, the decision as to whether or not he needs, or wants, assistance in making the call is his to make, not mine.

I've never had a problem with a coach hearing my explanations, when they needed to be heard, and I've found Captains, who have been treated with respect, to be really helpful when situations start to turn brown.

[bkdow]

I ask the captains but won't let them make a stupid decision. I ask them so that it helps them transition into adulthood. This game is bigger than the game. It's about training young men into adulthood. With that said, they usually ask the coach if they are unclear.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bkdow

I ask the captains but won't let them make a stupid decision. I ask them so that it helps them transition into adulthood. This game is bigger than the game. It's about training young men into adulthood. With that said, they usually ask the coach if they are unclear.

I ask the captains as well, although with the younger ones while I'm asking a captain, my LG or HL is asking the coach and telling me, so I can steer if necessary.

[cmathews]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I ask the captains as well, although with the younger ones while I'm asking a captain, my LG or HL is asking the coach and telling me, so I can steer if necessary.

I can honestly say I have never taken my own Left Guard to a football game..

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by cmathews

I can honestly say I have never taken my own Left Guard to a football game..

2 Chuckles in a row!!!!

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by cmathews

i can honestly say i have never taken my own left guard to a football game..

+1 lol

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by bkdow

I ask the captains but won't let them make a stupid decision. I ask them so that it helps them transition into adulthood. This game is bigger than the game. It's about training young men into adulthood. With that said, they usually ask the coach if they are unclear.

What? Your post makes me chuckle! Transition into adulthood...are you serious?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by ajmc

blah blah blah

Alf, you're repeating yourself. Why you quoted me before either of your posts baffles me. I have no idea if you agree or disagree with what I wrote.

[Rich]

I'm a believer in not getting crap on my shoes. Allowing a kid to make a bad decision during PE or during the coin toss only makes my shoes dirty. Sure, the kid may have made the wrong decision, but why let that happen?

A is called for holding and on the play goes beyond the line to gain. No captain's input is needed -- I don't even ask. When I jump on a crew and watch a white hat ask in such a situation (or on a score where there is exactly zero chance the penalty will be declined) it makes me wonder if the white hat has any kind of game sense.

When PE does require a real decision, I position myself so that the coach is within earshot of the conversation and I encourage the captain to ask his coach. If I'm in front of the bench when it happens, I simply ask the coach. I always give the options as 3rd and 21 or 4th and 8 (or whatever). That's clear to them.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I'm a believer in not getting crap on my shoes. Allowing a kid to make a bad decision during PE or during the coin toss only makes my shoes dirty. Sure, the kid may have made the wrong decision, but why let that happen?

A is called for holding and on the play goes beyond the line to gain. No captain's input is needed -- I don't even ask. When I jump on a crew and watch a white hat ask in such a situation (or on a score where there is exactly zero chance the penalty will be declined) it makes me wonder if the white hat has any kind of game sense.

When PE does require a real decision, I position myself so that the coach is within earshot of the conversation and I encourage the captain to ask his coach. If I'm in front of the bench when it happens, I simply ask the coach. I always give the options as 3rd and 21 or 4th and 8 (or whatever). That's clear to them.

I agree that when no input is needed, just signal it and walk it (if accepted). It's when it's not clear is what we're talking about. Varsity, SubV, I'm asking the captain. Below that, I'm still asking the captain, but my Head Linesman or Left Guard (apparently) are asking the coach to so I know if I need to steer the captain.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I agree that when no input is needed, just signal it and walk it (if accepted). It's when it's not clear is what we're talking about. Varsity, SubV, I'm asking the captain. Below that, I'm still asking the captain, but my Head Linesman or Left Guard (apparently) are asking the coach to so I know if I need to steer the captain.

Funny, but I think it's even more crucial to make sure on Friday night. On Thursdays, it's a cute mistake made by a freshman. On Friday....

I think it's a "When in Rome" thing.

[cmathews]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I agree that when no input is needed, just signal it and walk it (if accepted). It's when it's not clear is what we're talking about. Varsity, SubV, I'm asking the captain. Below that, I'm still asking the captain, but my Head Linesman or Left Guard (apparently) are asking the coach to so I know if I need to steer the captain.

well I have heard that lineman are supposed to be the most intelligent players on the field, so I guess maybe we should as the left guard

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Alf, you're repeating yourself. Why you quoted me before either of your posts baffles me. I have no idea if you agree or disagree with what I wrote.

Apparently you're easily baffled. Perhaps if you read what I wrote, and bother to think about it, you might fugure out whether I agreed with you. Sorry my posts repeated, I intended to edit the first one and apparently hit the wrong key.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day, and your original input suprisingly seemed rational.

If what I wrote seems too long for you to handle, or comprehand, don't exert yourself and simply blow by it. You seem to already know everything, so why bother with advice.