Facemask on offense philosophy

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by scrounge

Coincidentally, last night a running back for the Steelers got called for it. And it was a good call, not just a stiff arm but a grasp and pull of the defenders' face mask. Al and Chris even agreed with the call!

Pete Morelli was thrilled when the foul was reported. I don't know if I've ever seen someone roll their eyes so hard on national television.

[sir_eldren]

When the runner throws somebody down by the facemask, it's a good call. I don't care what your philosophy is. But I was criticized for calling it on a blocker. What's the deal with that? I can't wrap my head around why it was a bad call.

[CT1]

It happens. Pulling and twisting an opponent's facemask is dangerous regardless of offense or defense.

However, on the rare occasion when a crewmate has called this, I conveniently "forget" the facemask part of my PF signal.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by CT1

It happens. Pulling and twisting an opponent's facemask is dangerous regardless of offense or defense.

Or by a coach looking to get a player's att'n in practice, or even as a handle to lead him by. I hate when they do that.

[stevegarbs]

Originally Posted by InsideTheStripe

Pete Morelli was thrilled when the foul was reported. I don't know if I've ever seen someone roll their eyes so hard on national television.

I saw this, too, and thought it was pretty rude and unprofessional of him to do that to another crew member.

[scrounge]

Originally Posted by stevegarbs

I saw this, too, and thought it was pretty rude and unprofessional of him to do that to another crew member.

He kinda looks like that all the time, though....a serious case of sleepyface.

[OKREF]

I called this twice in a game last year, once on each team. I've always wondered why coaches, players etc... think the offense should get a break on this when it is a PF.

[BktBallRef]

Never see hands above the shoulders called on OL or DL players.

[sir_eldren]

BktBallRef: who said anything about a lineman? The flag was on a blocker downfield.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Never see hands above the shoulders called on OL or DL players.

You haven't watched my crew work -- we've had 3 of those fouls in 5 weeks, 2 in varsity games. If the hands come off right away, fine...

[sir_eldren]

A bit of an update on this. Apparently, my association really prefers the NCAA/NFL rule on face mask calls.

As was explained to me by our most experienced, and gruff, official, "we" don't call face mask on the offense unless it's worth 15 yards. Otherwise it should be illegal use of hands for 10 yards. The theory is that there is no reason, whatsoever, for a player's hands to be around anybody's face or helmet. On teh defensive side of the ball, the same applies, unless it's a tackler, in which case you may be able to call the 5-yarder.

You'd think, after 11 years of officiating football, that a philosophy like this would have been stated or written down somewhere or explained to me some time in the past. *shrug* Oh well. When I stop learning, I'll stop getting better.