Taking A Knee

[kdf5]

Originally Posted by asdf

"Never" and "Every" ???

When's the last time you saw a 56-6 game end with the offense taking a knee and the defense going balls out to make the tackle?

You don't because the officials told the guys that "they are taking a knee."

When the situation calls for the announcement, announce it.

If you don't know if the siutation calls for it, then you have a lot of work to do.

It's not our job to tell players what to do or to help coach. It's our job to apply the rules. If a team fakes a kneel down that is not our responsibility nor our fault and if a kid hauls off and whacks someone or otherwise does something wrong or flagrant THEN we go into action.

[asdf]

Originally Posted by kdf5

It's not our job to tell players what to do or to help coach. It's our job to apply the rules. If a team fakes a kneel down that is not our responsibility nor our fault and if a kid hauls off and whacks someone or otherwise does something wrong or flagrant THEN we go into action.

Preventative Officiating

If the game's been chippy and the you know that's it's a kneel down situation, yet you let the above happen without some prior notification..... then you should be relegated to working 2nd grade ball in a two-man system.

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by kdf5

It's not our job to tell players what to do or to help coach. It's our job to apply the rules. If a team fakes a kneel down that is not our responsibility nor our fault and if a kid hauls off and whacks someone or otherwise does something wrong or flagrant THEN we go into action.

If I asked the coach or he tells me they are taking a knee and then he fakes it, it is my job and my responsibility to make it right!!!!

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by asdf

When's the last time you saw a 56-6 game end with the offense taking a knee and the defense going balls out to make the tackle?

At most, we should simply say, "If they take a knee, take it easy" I grant you that 56-6 is likely a lot more relaxed than the other situations described, but we, as officials should be ready. Heck, it might not be a "Fake", but might inadvertently develop into a play after a screwed up snap.

If you don't know if the siutation calls for it, then you have a lot of work to do.

Is there a reason to get personal here?

[asdf]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

At most, we should simply say, "If they take a knee, take it easy" I grant you that 56-6 is likely a lot more relaxed than the other situations described, but we, as officials should be ready. Heck, it might not be a "Fake", but might inadvertently develop into a play after a screwed up snap.
Is there a reason to get personal here?

If you are not smart enough to know the difference between a 56-6 "knee" and a 17-14 "knee", then you would take it personal.

[GBFBUmp]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

NEVER tell the defense what to do. Go into EVERY kneeling situation as if the offense is going to fake it. This might only happen to you once in a lifetime, or never, but if you aren't ready and/or you've told the defense what to do, then any fallout is your fault.

AT MOST - tell them something like, "If they take a knee, no nonsense." Or "Don't hit anyone after the whistle, boys." AT MOST.

At youth ball, you might want to be more specific, but unless the league has a sportsmanship rule forbidding fake knee-plays, you better preface your warning with IF.

This is what I do as umpire..... I'll add a "play smart men"

[JRutledge]

Again, if you do not do this in your area fine. We do it in ours and it is expected by coaches. So everyone is on board and it works for us. How the game is chippy or not is not the issue. We do it with great success and when we haven't done this and things happen it was expected.

Peace

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Again, if you do not do this in your area fine. We do it in ours and it is expected by coaches. So everyone is on board and it works for us. How the game is chippy or not is not the issue. We do it with great success and when we haven't done this and things happen it was expected.

Peace

How are you told to handle when the snap is botched?

[asdf]

Um, I believe you brought up the words never and every.

Wouldn't that include blowouts ??

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

NEVER tell the defense what to do. Go into EVERY kneeling situation as if the offense is going to fake it. This might only happen to you once in a lifetime, or never, but if you aren't ready and/or you've told the defense what to do, then any fallout is your fault.

AT MOST - tell them something like, "If they take a knee, no nonsense." Or "Don't hit anyone after the whistle, boys." AT MOST.

At youth ball, you might want to be more specific, but unless the league has a sportsmanship rule forbidding fake knee-plays, you better preface your warning with IF.

Whereas, I responded with....

Originally Posted by asdf

"Never" and "Every" ???

When's the last time you saw a 56-6 game end with the offense taking a knee and the defense going balls out to make the tackle?

You don't see it because the officials told the guys that "they are taking a knee."

When the situation calls for the announcement, announce it.

If you don't know if the siutation calls for it, then you have a lot of work to do.

Followed by....

Originally Posted by asdf

Exactly !!!

Why let something stupid happen at the end of the game when you have been working hard all game long to prevent it?

Hence, at 56-6 we tell our kids "they're taking a knee".

At 17-14, we are signaling to our crew members to "stay alert, see the ball, the game's not over."

Next time, take a second to read what's been posted. You might see that we agree from time to time.