Punt Return Penalty

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Here is part of what I received from a rule interpreter this morning.

You might suggest, to your interpreter, explaining the logic behind this and every "local" rule as points of emphasis to your coaches, might reduce the number of times you need to deal with it with officials.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by ajmc

You might suggest, to your interpreter, explaining the logic behind this and every "local" rule as points of emphasis to your coaches, might reduce the number of times you need to deal with it with officials.

You read my mind! My response email said that very thing. Coaches need to be aware and officials consistent and informed.

[Rich]

I believe that if I'm going to take the money of a program, it's up to me to know the rules.

Youth football programs have added so many local rules that the game (in some instances) hardly resembles football.

I'd rather stay home.

At least with your league, it sounds like if I asked for the rules in advance, I could get them.

Not the same everywhere and that's what's frustrating, as if those little stickers on the helmet should tell me that the player can't run the ball or that the line backs have to be 4 yards off the line. Why would I know such things when nobody provides written copies of the rules?

[CT1]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Why would I know such things when nobody provides written copies of the rules?

Or they change them mid-season & forget to notify us.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Not the same everywhere and that's what's frustrating, as if those little stickers on the helmet should tell me that the player can't run the ball or that the line backs have to be 4 yards off the line. Why would I know such things when nobody provides written copies of the rules?

It is also not like everyone that works a game at one of these leagues is working a game normally in that league. It is not totally surprising that a day before or the night before someone is asked to cover one of these games. It is possible that officials did not even know anything about a local rule or knew there something they needed to address. It is usually when you get to the field or get to that situation and then you find out there is some special rule you have to enforce.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

It is also not like everyone that works a game at one of these leagues is working a game normally in that league. It is not totally surprising that a day before or the night before someone is asked to cover one of these games. It is possible that officials did not even know anything about a local rule or knew there something they needed to address. It is usually when you get to the field or get to that situation and then you find out there is some special rule you have to enforce.

Peace

Which is why it doesn't bother me at all when I miss one of these weird rules. I do the best I can, but if they think I can see if a LB is 4 yards off or 3 yards off with 3 officials on the field, they're crazy.

Typical "let's make up rules for the good of the kids" stupidity. Reminds me of all the house rules that local Little Leagues try to put in place and then complain when we don't enforce them in the tournament.

This is why I *rarely* work youth games and only if they're close to the house and the teams are really desperate.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Which is why it doesn't bother me at all when I miss one of these weird rules. I do the best I can, but if they think I can see if a LB is 4 yards off or 3 yards off with 3 officials on the field, they're crazy.

Typical "let's make up rules for the good of the kids" stupidity. Reminds me of all the house rules that local Little Leagues try to put in place and then complain when we don't enforce them in the tournament.

This is why I *rarely* work youth games and only if they're close to the house and the teams are really desperate.

I agree and one of the reasons I am not available for these games either. Then again Saturdays and Sundays have either other football games going on or personal things I would rather do.

Peace

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I agree and one of the reasons I am not available for these games either. Then again Saturdays and Sundays have either other football games going on or personal things I would rather do. Peace

Several years ago I was assigned to work a local Div III JV game on a Wednesday afternoon. The Referee assigned had been the Referee the previous Saturday at Notre Dame. Before the game I asked why he was assigned to this contest, he replied, "to get in snaps to be ready for the coming weekend".

Youth football can certainly be a challenge, but presents enormous opportunity to hone "people" skills, that are so critical at higher levels, as well as gaining experience in dealing with and responding to, a much higher probability of totally unexpected situations.

Beyond that, you might even help direct some players, or even young coaches, to paths of behavior you may be happy they took, at some future point at a higher level of competition. Officiating allows us to take a lot away from the game, at different points the game needs us to pay the piper.