Facemask on offense philosophy

[sir_eldren]

I had a high school game last week where I had an inadvertent facemask (5 yards) on an A blocker. After the game, I got reamed up one side and down the other for the call.

I can understand the philosophy of not calling an inadvertant facemask on the runner, but the idea that an A blocker/lineman should be allowed to put their hands on an opponent's facemask and, "oops," grab it does not sit well with me.

Is there a prevailing philosophy on calling facemask fouls on the offense that I have not heard of? Should I just bite the bullet and call all facemask fouls on the offense a "personal foul facemask" to make this particular white hat happy? Or should I call "illegal use of hands," like he suggested?

[JRutledge]

A lot of people think that these calls should not be made on the defense or seem to be surprised when they happen.

Not sure there is a philsophy honestly other then most do not look at these fouls on offensive players. I have even called a couple of facemasks on a runner when they clearly grabbed the facemask only to get grief. I think officials either do not look for this or they do not have the heart to make a call even if the foul is mildly obvious to their eyes. And it does not help many of these are not going to easily show up on tape either.

Peace

[scrounge]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

A lot of people think that these calls should not be made on the defense or seem to be surprised when they happen.

Not sure there is a philsophy honestly other then most do not look at these fouls on offensive players. I have even called a couple of facemasks on a runner when they clearly grabbed the facemask only to get grief. I think officials either do not look for this or they do not have the heart to make a call even if the foul is mildly obvious to their eyes. And it does not help many of these are not going to easily show up on tape either.

Peace

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!

[JRutledge]

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!

It happens. I one time saw it several times in a season when it was a facemasking was a POE and mentioned in that POE was the runner doing this to defenders. All obvious as I remember them and I got crap for calling them. So it does happen. Never said it didn't, but you get crap for it when you call it.

Peace

[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 sir_eldren

I had a high school game last week where I had an inadvertent facemask (5 yards) on an A blocker. After the game, I got reamed up one side and down the other for the call.

I can understand the philosophy of not calling an inadvertant facemask on the runner, but the idea that an A blocker/lineman should be allowed to put their hands on an opponent's facemask and, "oops," grab it does not sit well with me.

Is there a prevailing philosophy on calling facemask fouls on the offense that I have not heard of? Should I just bite the bullet and call all facemask fouls on the offense a "personal foul facemask" to make this particular white hat happy? Or should I call "illegal use of hands," like he suggested?

I'd say illegal use of hands. If the hand touched the face itself, it'd be at least illegal use of hands, wouldn't it? So why should the bars across the front of his face "save" the blocker from an illegal use of hands call? Shouldn't the headgear count as part of the head?

Of course if it was an actual grab, then personal foul.

[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...