Block below the waist...

[Mike Simonds]

Here's an interesting call I had Saturday night...

A throws interception. During the run back by B34, A7 attempts to make the tackle but makes hard shoulder contact against the side of B75's left thigh. B34 is about 1 yard on the other side of B75.

I called illegal block below the waist by A7. Fifteen yards from the end of B34's run. 1st and 10 for B.

I'm confident I made the right call but would appreciate hearing your viewpoints on this play.

[KWH]

Originally posted by Mike Simonds
Here's an interesting call I had Saturday night...

A throws interception. During the run back by B34, A7 attempts to make the tackle but makes hard shoulder contact against the side of B75's left thigh. B34 is about 1 yard on the other side of B75.

I called illegal block below the waist by A7. Fifteen yards from the end of B34's run. 1st and 10 for B.

I'm confident I made the right call but would appreciate hearing your viewpoints on this play.

Tough call, I obviously did not see the play but I will take a shot at it.

I think you need to read intent on this type of play.
If it truely was a missed tackle by A7, then the contact by A7 against B75 MAY (or might) be ignored.
If however A7 was attempting to clear a path (by INTENTIONALLY blocking B75 below the waist) for a teammate to get to B34 then you may have something.
Based solely on your description of the play you MAY have had incidental contact. Again you need to read intent.

Based strictly by the rules (9-3-2), you made the correct call.
Based on the spirit of the rules, you MAY have had a no call.
Sometimes there is no right call or wrong call. Again you have to read intent. If you felt he was gaining an advantage then you made the right call.

My 2 CENTS

[Edited by KWH on Oct 30th, 2002 at 11:38 AM]

[FR]

Mike, since you're asking for opinions, I'd let this go if he was making a legitimate attempt to get to the runner and make a tackle.