Which brings us to the much discussed question of how we as officials handle the kneel down situation. If A is leading by 9 or more or trailing and just wants the game over we will tell the defense "He's taking a knee don't do anything stupid, dirty etc." If A is leading by 8 or less we don't say anything to the defense but I tell the QB to go down to the knee as fast as he can and I will try to protect him as best I can. And even still we'll have QBs drop back and stand there until a defensive player is almost on top of him and then drop to his knee. Of course if the defender hits him the coach wants a PF because he was taking a knee even though the hit wouldn't qualify as a PF if he had just slipped.
Here we go again:
You tell the defense he's taking a knee. Now he doesn't. Now what?
Or he fumbles the ball. You've told the defense he's taking a knee.
Don't tell the defense what the offense is going to do! EVER!!!
If you have to say something, and I don't think you do, say something like:
Guys, let's play smart.
or
IF he takes a knee, let's not have any late hits.
If you've gotten to this point of the game, they know what they should or shouldn't do. Squeeze in, be ready to hit the whistle, and keep officiating.
Otherwise, just end the game. You've already told them you aren't going to let them play anyway.