2011 Season Week 4 Clips
"Targeting" Despite all the attention given to "targeting" and
high hits, week after week there are examples of plays where players still go
high when they could go low. By selecting that option (going high) they
not only put them self and the opponent in danger, they risk the real
possibility of being flagged even when the hit is technically legal. This play
is another example of a hit that appears to be a foul, but may not actually be.
The prohibition of contacting an opponent in the head or neck area applies to
"defenseless players." The covering official in this play must determine
if the receiver has completed the catch and become a runner, in which case
contact with the head or neck area by some part of the body other than the crown
of the helmet would be legal. When in question it is a foul.
(9-1-4 and 2-27-14) When viewing the clip, attempt to determine if
the receiver has become a runner, what part of his body was hit, and what part
of the defender's body was used to make the hit.
A similar play from a
different game was NOT flagged. You make the call.
Offside or False Start ? A recurring issue for officials is determining whether the defense was offside or the offense false started when there is pre-snap movement by both teams. Team A linemen are very closely regulated once they are "locked in" and the burden is on them NOT to make a movement that simulates the start of the snap, unless they are threatened by a Team B player who is in or across the NZ. Officials should look at the snapper's actions in this play and determine if it is normal pre-snap movement or did it simulate the start of the play. The snapper moves before any defender is in or across the neutral zone.
Motion backs and Blocking Below the Waist Since the announcement of this year's rule changes related to blocking below the waist, officials have warned coaches and players that certain blocks by certain players, which had been perfectly legal in the past, would become fouls this year. The block by the motion back in this clip is a foul, although not flagged. The motion back was on the left side of the ball and he was restricted as he was in motion at the snap. That means he could block below the waist towards the left sideline but not the right. This play should be discussed by crews to ensure someone is responsible for picking up this illegal act. Team A appears to have 3 receivers to the left, including the motion back who is #3 receiver. That makes him the key for the L in this play. Perhaps the R could pick it up as well? (It has been reported some conferences now give the # 3 receiver to the B. It is unlikely the B would have been able to judge the block as below the waist when the block takes place behind the blocking linemen.)
Tripping A rarely seen foul is "tripping". Remember that "tripping" is, by definition, an INTENTIONAL act (2-28). A player simply falling over another's legs is NOT "tripping". If the covering official judges the lower leg or foot was used to obstruct an opponent below the knees, there was "tripping".
Play Clock Issue This clip shows what can happen when a clock operator does not properly perform his tasks. In this play, a 25 second play clock was called for and the ready-for-play was given at the :25 second mark of the 2d quarter, with the clock running. Team A would not have to snap the ball and could elect to let the game clock expire. Unfortunately, the clock operator left the play clock at :00 after the previous play instead of turning the clock off. This confused the R who glanced at the play clock and saw :00 causing him to interrupt the true 25-second count and flag. The B correctly advised him he had given the ready-for-play with :25 remaining so the flag was waved off. Once this is done, the game clock should re-start on the ready-for-play, and Team A could still escape the half without running a play. The crew could have invoked 3-2-2-e and reset game clock and play clock to :25 and started over.
Clock Stopping Although officials should always be cognizant of time remaining and ensure they are properly starting and stopping the clock, this becomes even more critical at the end of a half. When a runner has had his forward progress stopped in bounds before being taken out of bounds, the clock should continue to run (assuming no other reason for clock stoppage, i.e. first down, foul, etc) . In this play, the H signalled for clock to stop. Many conferences prefer the covering official give the "wind" or simple "dead ball" signal instead.