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Football Officiating => General Discussion => Topic started by: RMR on September 01, 2010, 09:53:11 PM

Title: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: RMR on September 01, 2010, 09:53:11 PM
So, I learned a new rule tonight:

"If the clock is stopped for a defensive foul, it can only be restarted on the snap."
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Amir on September 02, 2010, 04:13:22 AM
Three new 'rules' I've learnt so far this season:

1. The defence can never be flagged for holding.
2. If a pass is uncatchable, the defence can hit the receiver as hard as they like.
3. If a pass hits a safety's leg and he recovers it before it hits the ground, it's an incomplete pass.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: TXMike on September 02, 2010, 06:46:03 AM
Fumble near the sidelines.  Team B's player is standing with 1 foot in bounds and 1 foot out of bounds when he picks up the ball.  Team A retains possession.

Team B Coach: "But he had 1 foot in bounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: British Ref on September 02, 2010, 06:57:47 AM
1. The defence can never be flagged for holding.

That's not a new rule, coaches have known this once since I started officiating. >:D
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: busman on September 02, 2010, 08:06:16 AM
The defense also can't clip or block in the back or block below the waist.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Welpe on September 02, 2010, 08:38:28 AM
Our crew had an IW during an onside kick last week in a freshman game.  When I informed the receiving team's headcoach we were replaying the down, he blurts out at me "THERE ARE NO RE-DOs IN LIFE!"

 ???
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: foureyedzebra on September 02, 2010, 09:57:49 AM


On 2nd down, a team A player is advancing with the ball near the sideline and is hit by a defender at the 1 yd line, causing him to fumble the ball. The ball rolls into the opponents endzone and it is legally recovered by a teammate.  ^good


The opposing coach says "If he fumbles it into the endzone then it's a touchback".  LOL

I think he was just  >:D trying to get me to reverse the call by citing a ruling from a similar play.  tiphat:

I explained that if he had fumbled it forwards OOB or if the play had been a 4th down or try, then it would be a touchback; he just turned and walked away.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: HLinNC on September 02, 2010, 11:19:35 AM
"But the late hit wasn't flagrant.  He didn't mean to and you know that."

"Anytime there is contact it HAS to be interference."

Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: younggun on September 02, 2010, 12:07:27 PM
Lets see from this year....

"Why does the offence only have 7 on the line?!?!"

"The D is allowed to get back before the snap"

"If I want a measurement and the answer is 'no' the white hat has to call an officials timeout and come over and give me a formal reason why they are not going to measure."

Me:"Coach the QB threw the ball to an area where there was not an eligible receiver, there was no one even close."
Coach:" But I read in the book that all of the D are eligible receivers, there was a D person in the area, HES AN ELIGIBLE RECEIVER!!!!!"
Me:"Sorry my mistake coach, there was not an eligible offensive receiver in the area, its still Intentional Grounding."  ::)
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: TexDoc on September 02, 2010, 12:29:48 PM
Coach's pregame, he hands me a nice printout full of things to "consider"

We run the whistle play.  The center has his hands on the ball and soon as he hears whistle, he snaps.  Tell that U he better be out of the way.

Our kicker is a rugby style kicker.  When he gets the ball he will not run more than 5 yards in any direction and kick the ball while still running.  The rule is that he has five yards either direction while he's still moving and still have protection.

We watched them all last year and at their scrimmage this year and they are a bunch of thugs.  You will have to flag them early to keep control the of the game so do not hesitate.

They hold receivers EVERY PLAY.  You will have to throw holding flags every play until they stop.

It went on and on and on.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: JasonTX on September 02, 2010, 09:41:22 PM
At the start of the 3rd quarter the lightning is too close so we stop the game.  Coach says, "What do we do, just send the teams to the sidelines?"  Sure coach, and take this sign with you.   :!#
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Welpe on September 02, 2010, 10:35:51 PM
we stopped our game today due to lightning also...home coach gripes to me "Oh come on BLUE!  We play through lightning!"

Uhmmm ok there skipper!  :o
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: BryanM67 on September 03, 2010, 12:56:26 AM
Heard this one tonight at a JV game..

"Ref... only a coach can call time out.  A player cannot call a time out" (referring to a timeout called by a player for the purpose of resnapping his helmet).

Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: rickref on September 03, 2010, 07:29:41 AM
I know this is not a coach but a player but this was from last night. 2 things.

1. Me - Why did you kick my flag? PLayer - It is in my way.

2. Player - Who was offdies? Me (B) - I was not given a number. Player - Why the hell not!?

Most restraint I have shown ever in a ball game. I let his coach deal with him.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: busman on September 03, 2010, 12:16:57 PM
Last night JV

"I want a measurement.  It's six inches short."  Kind of answered your own question, didn't you coach?

Flag for illegal formation - only six on the line.  "Who was it?"  Well coach, you pick.  it's one of those 5 guys lined up in backfield, but I assume it's not the QB.  (Even the coach got a good laugh on that one)
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: fbrefga on September 04, 2010, 04:26:03 PM
I had a flag for intentional grounding in last night's HS game.  Coach yells out "There are receivers but we just can't find them.".
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Etref on September 05, 2010, 01:25:28 PM


I think I had the all time one Friday night.

Runners helmet came off and H whistled play dead (NCAA rules). Runner came back to huddle messing with his helmet, RTP and 25 second clock starts. Still messing with helmet. Others in huddle just stand and look at him. Finally 6 seconds left on play clock and coach calls time out.

Coach, " Why didn't you give him an equipment timeout?"

Me, " Coach, there is no such thing as an equipment timeout in NCAA rules"

Coach, " I didn't think so...................... :o


Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: jimbulger on September 05, 2010, 11:14:08 PM
Doing a youth game after the third obvious false start in a row

" cmon ref...its the wind blowing them over...."
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Steve Brown on September 06, 2010, 12:30:24 AM
Five minutes left in the 4th quarter -- home team runs for a long TD. I'm cleaning up behind the play. Visiting team player blocks a home team player -- both fall to the ground. Visiting player jumps up and kicks the other player, who was still on the ground. After the play I went to the visiting HC and explained that the player's actions had disqualified him from further participation. Coach seemed mad, but accepted the outcome.

Two minutes later, during a time out, HC wanted to ask me what the player had done. I explained that he had kicked another player.

Coach drew back his leg like he was kicking a ball and said "like this?"

I said no, coach -- your player lifted his foot and smashed the other player in the back.

Coach: "that's not a kick, that's a stomp. You can't DQ a player for a stomp -- the rules don't even mention that".
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: NorCalMike on September 06, 2010, 05:06:47 PM
JV game last week. A82 catches the ball near the sideline on the B5 and clearly gets one foot down before going out of bounds.

HC: He didn't get both feet in.
Me: Coach it's Friday not Sunday.
HC: Huh?

Later in the game a bad snap goes over the the punters head and out the back of the endzone. K goes to free kick from their 20. After the kick the same head coach says
HC: The kicker used a tee.
Me: I saw that.
HC: He can't use a tee.
Me: Coach, it's Friday not Sunday.
HC: What is that supposed to me.

Me: You need to read the rule book Coach and not get your rules knowledge from watching NFL games.


Didn't hear another word from him the rest of the night.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: tow on September 07, 2010, 09:44:53 PM
Found out tonight that a punter needs to be 7yds behind the line of scrimmage to attempt a punt!
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: east louis on September 08, 2010, 08:09:20 AM
last friday,2nd half KO,runner tripped @ his own 45 YL by kicker--coach yells"where's the flag,he cant trip the runner!" I say,"it's legal"--by now,coaches eyes are about to pop out of thier heads in disbelief--"you cant be serious--are you sure?" I shake my head---forgive them,for they know not(much at all)....
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: rickref on September 09, 2010, 08:28:28 AM
Saw this on a local evaluation: "Made a face gaurding call and then changed it to pass interference. Changing the call affected the outcome of the game." NCAA rules in Texas.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: bitols on September 10, 2010, 07:26:22 AM

Me: You need to read the rule book Coach and not get your rules knowledge from watching NFL games.


bzzzzzzzzzz ! wrong answer ! Things like this can be very funny but can put you in a lot of troubles....be professional and avoid jokes.  ;)
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on September 10, 2010, 01:32:27 PM
It would have been better to just expand on the original explanations and say something like, "Coach, you're quoting NFL rules that don't apply to a high school game."  It answers the question without sounding condescending.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Matt on September 10, 2010, 10:49:15 PM
During an onside kick attempt tonight I did hear "they need to have at least 4 players on either side of the kicker."
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: blindref757 on September 11, 2010, 04:57:19 PM
Center snaps the ball to the qb who is in shotgun position.  Snap is low and the QB muffs it, then quickly spikes it.

Coach says...."That's intentional grounding...he fumbled the ball!!!"  My LJ says, "No Coach...he muffed it then spiked it immediately." 
Coach says..."A muff and a fumble are the same thing!!!"
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: GAHSUMPIRE on September 11, 2010, 10:19:42 PM
spiking the ball from a shotgun formation?
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: younggun on September 12, 2010, 01:45:00 AM
This is not from the coach... but... I had a captain tell me he wanted to defer his choice to the 2nd half .... it was half-time about to start the second half.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Welpe on September 12, 2010, 11:37:09 AM
spiking the ball from a shotgun formation?
Legal under NCAA rules.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: 110 on September 12, 2010, 11:57:36 AM
From a summer men's game:

Coach to head referee: "What? What? You're calling intentional grounding? He was out of the box."

- referee: "Yes coach, but that's an NFL rule."

Coach: (pause) "He threw it beyond the line of scrimmage."

- me: "Yes coach, but that's a CFL rule."

Coach: (pause) "What the hell rules are we playing with?"

Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: NorCalMike on September 12, 2010, 03:01:17 PM
bzzzzzzzzzz ! wrong answer ! Things like this can be very funny but can put you in a lot of troubles....be professional and avoid jokes.  ;)
I know but some times my mouth engages before my brain.  ;D
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Rulesman on September 12, 2010, 09:34:14 PM
Opening night game last week:

Defensive coach (excitedly): "They have 8 on the line! Too many men on the line! Too many men on the line! That's illegal!"

I can honestly say I've never heard that one before.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Welpe on September 12, 2010, 11:30:00 PM
Opening night game last week:

Defensive coach (excitedly): "They have 8 on the line! Too many men on the line! Too many men on the line! That's illegal!"

I can honestly say I've never heard that one before.

I've had "veteran" officials call that before.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: 110 on September 13, 2010, 06:11:43 AM
First game of the hs season Friday.

"Coach, you had an illegal formation - only six guys on the line."

Coach - "who wasn't on?"

"Sir, I don't know."

Coach - "Then how can you call that?"

"Coach, you had six guys in the backfield - I don't know who you wanted on the line."

(Pause) "What's six guys in the backfield got to do with it? What's wrong with that?"

Assistant came over, and explained the math. Coach kinda had a funny smile on his face at that point.

Sometimes, they get it.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: RMR on September 14, 2010, 12:29:51 AM

"Coach, you had an illegal formation - only six guys on the line."

"Coach, you had six guys in the backfield - I don't know who you wanted on the line."


Sounds like you also had illegal substitution or possibly illegal participation on the play.

Yeah, I know, but I couldn't resist.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: 110 on September 14, 2010, 06:13:28 AM
Sounds like you also had illegal substitution or possibly illegal participation on the play.

Yeah, I know, but I couldn't resist.
Canadian ball. I always forget to mention. I'd go home to my Canadian forum, but nobody ever posts there. :)
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on September 14, 2010, 02:14:31 PM
Posted this elsewhere here, but it belongs in this category too...

Varsity game Saturday night and a player for the team on my sideline chases down the runner and performs the equivalent of a clothesline by grabbing the back of the shoulderpad collar and yanking the runner off his feet.  The kid's feet were higher than his head from the sudden stop. Both covering officials (BJ and LJ) flagged the defender for a HCT.

When the defender gets back to the sideline, an assistant coach puts his arm around the player's shoulders and tells him, "Don't worry about it, I know you didn't do anything wrong".  I had to say, "Coach, that was a textbook HCT and is a personal foul so he DID do something wrong."  The coach gets a puzzled look on his face and asks, "He can't grab the collar?"  ::)

You couldn't even say he was using Sunday rules as his excuse.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: southarkumpire on September 14, 2010, 02:28:23 PM
I still say that coaches should attend the same mandatory rules clinics we do...take the same test we do (and if they don't make a 90, they are put on probation like us). 
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Jackhammer on September 14, 2010, 04:38:29 PM
Intentional grounding call, QB throws it in the flat and there's not an A-B player or even a C player, for that matter, within 10 yards of the thing.

Coach:  What's the call
Official:  Intentional grounding, coach.
Coach:  How can you call that, it was a timing pattern to my fullback and he didn't get through the line and out to the flat.
Official:  We agree coach, there was no eligible receiver near the pass, it's intentional grounding
Coach:  You can't call that my FB didn't get through the line and it's a timing pattern.  You can't call that, it's a timing pattern.   It's a timing pattern.
Official:  Yes coach we recognize there must be something wrong, it's still a foul.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: GoodScout on September 15, 2010, 02:33:16 PM
I still say that coaches should attend the same mandatory rules clinics we do...take the same test we do (and if they don't make a 90, they are put on probation like us). 
In Georgia, the do have to attend the same rules clinic.  It doesnt help.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on September 16, 2010, 08:13:15 AM
Here in Virginia the HEAD coaches are required to attend the State Rules Clinic along with the officials.  The assistants are rarely there.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Welpe on September 17, 2010, 11:32:15 PM
Had a real gem of a head coach tonight.  I had a defender jump into the NZ, causing the opposing offensive lineman to jump.  I dropped my flag and killed the play.  After the WH signaled the penalty, the coach had what sounded like a cardiac event as he screamed at the top of his lungs "HE CAN GET BACK HE CAN GET BACK HE CAN GET BACK!  YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING OUT THERE!"

And the hits just keep on coming.  I really hope he looks the rule up.   pray:;
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: fbrefga on September 17, 2010, 11:45:43 PM
Had a gem during pre-game in tonight's game.  One of my usual questions is "Are there any plays or formations that we need to discuss at this time?"  Head coach says "They do something illegal with the QB.  He is under center, then comes out and looks at the sideline for the play.  It's on film and it's illegal."  I then asked if the QB is making any sudden movements that simulate the start of the play.  He said "No, he just moves out from under center."  An assistant comes over and says how it is illegal for a QB to back out from the center once he has his hands under center.  I then stated that this is not illegal the way they are describing it.  The looked perplexed; almost like I just stole their candy!
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: 110 on September 18, 2010, 06:34:23 PM
the coach had what sounded like a cardiac event as he screamed at the top of his lungs "HE CAN GET BACK HE CAN GET BACK HE CAN GET BACK!  YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING OUT THERE!"

That's pushing another flag, what?
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Welpe on September 18, 2010, 06:56:31 PM
This was the end of a very long game with this coach and I frankly just wanted to get out of there.  He wasn't my sideline and not to throw my partners under the bus but I don't think he was controlled enough.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: jaxpk on September 19, 2010, 10:19:52 AM
"Blue, you don't understand!?"

I was the back judge in a close game.  The visiting team ran a touchdown in from approximately 40 yards.  While preparing for the PAT, the defense (home team) is jawing with the visiting sideline.  I turn my attention to the sideline and see a lone gentleman from the visiting team jawing with the home team defense.  When I inquired of what the issue was, he responded "you do not understand", of which I stated, "what do I not understand, your team just scored a touchdown, please help me."  The gentleman then stated "They (the home team) is threatening my team on facebook!)."  I had to take a second and ask him if he was serious and he said "yes!".  I responded with a flag for a sideline warning.  Our Linesman and Referee then tried to calm down the man, who was the visiting team's principal!

Note: we were advised that in the future, in addition to monitoring the :25 second clock, the back judge will have a hand held PC and will need to call unsportsmanlike penalties while monitoring the social websites!  PLEASE TELL ME IT ISN'T TRUE!

Can you imagine, while managing the other duties of an on-field official, this happens, whistle, whistle, flag thrown - we have unsportsmanlike on the offense due to verbal abuse on twitter.    LOL
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on September 20, 2010, 10:23:56 AM
Meh.  If it happens on the internet, then we don't care.  That would be an issue the schools will have to address on their own.  I would say that principal was acting a bit bizarre if he's jawing at the students from the other school.  I would have considered a USC on the visitors for having a school representative trying to incite the opponents on the field.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: rickref on September 21, 2010, 09:07:08 AM
Coach was not happy with a DPI call. Got the standard " That's the worst F%^&* Pass Interference Call I have ever seen." As we lined up for the kick off he rides the calling official down his sideline stating - " Look you have made me embarrass myself in front of my mother!"

On a note I love working for this coach. Once he says it is over and he never says anything again.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on September 21, 2010, 12:01:40 PM
Coach was not happy with a DPI call. Got the standard " That's the worst F%^&* Pass Interference Call I have ever seen." As we lined up for the kick off he rides the calling official down his sideline stating - " Look you have made me embarrass myself in front of my mother!"

On a note I love working for this coach. Once he says it is over and he never says anything again.
I guess he was REALLY unhappy when he received the USC flag for dropping the F-bomb while questioning the judgement of an official.  Maybe that second flag was how he became embarassed in front of his mother.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: stevegarbs on September 21, 2010, 02:56:27 PM
Last Friday, opposite wing throws a flag for DPI against team on my sideline.  Coach gives the standard, "That guy is missing a heck of a ball game tonight."  I get the call and explanation from my partner, tell the coach that the DB had an arm around the WR's waist the whole time.  Coach cannot believe his player would commit such a transgression.

Two plays later, the same coach comes up to me and says, "Sorry ref, my player just admitted he had him hooked the whole way."

My faith in humanity has been restored, at least until this Friday! tiphat:
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Etref on September 21, 2010, 03:14:33 PM
I had a game Saturday where a player punched a player of the other team. I had a flag and was telling the WH what foul I had. He asked me "who did he hit". Before I could say a word the violator said "
I punched 59 on the other team"

Gotta love it.



Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: txmustang68 on September 21, 2010, 08:37:26 PM
Worked a 7th grade game last night as H.  Home team offense runs an option play.  QB is getting hit, and tosses the ball forward (behind the LOS) to the RB.  Coach "Hey!  He just pitched it forward behind the line of scrimmage!"  Next coach "Can they do that?"
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: southarkumpire on September 22, 2010, 09:54:09 AM
Working a rivalry game, Friday night opener for both schools.  I have visiting sideline. Close game.  Deep pass from my visiting team to endzone on other side of field from my sideline. Both players go up for jump ball. No flag from BJ or LJ on that side.  Incomplete pass...of course my coach wants DPI.  As he runs out on field almost to numbers, I tell him.."Coach..you need to step back!". No response because he is YELLING at the top of his lungs..."Where's the flag???"

Me..."Coach...get back in  your area"
Coach...(again at the top of his lungs where everybody could hear)..."WHERE'S THE F****** FLAG?"

ME.... ^flag

I go out to tell my WH what he said...we go over to the coach..who is still livid...to explain why he got a USC.  During the conference:

WH: "Good no call from my  BJ coach. NO DPI"
COACH: "Well, whats HIS (me) flag for?"
WH: "YOU..yelling the F word!"
COACH: "Don't I get a warning??"
ME: "No...but I did tell you to get back"
COACH: "That's a bunch of s***!"
WH:   ^flag

Coach spent the rest of the game in the locker room...and still couldn't understand why he got booted.

Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: VALJ on September 22, 2010, 11:45:16 AM
Last Friday, opposite wing throws a flag for DPI against team on my sideline.  Coach gives the standard, "That guy is missing a heck of a ball game tonight."  I get the call and explanation from my partner, tell the coach that the DB had an arm around the WR's waist the whole time.  Coach cannot believe his player would commit such a transgression.

Two plays later, the same coach comes up to me and says, "Sorry ref, my player just admitted he had him hooked the whole way."

My faith in humanity has been restored, at least until this Friday! tiphat:

I had one kinda similar a couple years back.  I had a JV game on Thursday with a no-call for a DPI.  The QB threw a fade route, and the defensive back was turning to go with the play when the WR ran up his back.  The A coach of course wanted a PI, but I sent word over via the BJ what happened and why there was no flag. The response was an unhappy (but clean) one with no flag.

I had the varsity game the next night at the other team's school, and after the coach saw me doing my pregame duties the coach made it a point to come over to me and apologize, and tell me he saw exactly what I said happened.  Made my jaw drop.  :)
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Getting Fat on September 22, 2010, 12:16:19 PM
" I had a JV game on Thursday with a no-call for a DPI.  The QB threw a fade route, and the defensive back was turning to go with the play when the WR ran up his back.  The A coach of course wanted a PI, but I sent word over via the BJ what happened and why there was no flag. The response was an unhappy (but clean) one with no flag."

You have a BJ for subvarsity?
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Grant - AR on September 22, 2010, 02:26:12 PM
I know these threads are kind of funny and sometimes make us shake our heads, but I had a first year official tell me today that he has learned a lot just by reading these "Mouths of Coaches" threads.  They are good for teaching too.  :thumbup
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: VALJ on September 22, 2010, 02:31:38 PM
" I had a JV game on Thursday with a no-call for a DPI.  The QB threw a fade route, and the defensive back was turning to go with the play when the WR ran up his back.  The A coach of course wanted a PI, but I sent word over via the BJ what happened and why there was no flag. The response was an unhappy (but clean) one with no flag."

You have a BJ for subvarsity?

Yep - our association assigns 5 for JV games.  Don't know about middle school, though.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: fencewire on September 22, 2010, 02:55:44 PM
I know these threads are kind of funny and sometimes make us shake our heads, but I had a first year official tell me today that he has learned a lot just by reading these "Mouths of Coaches" threads.  They are good for teaching too.  :thumbup

I don't know if it was on this thread or not, but I used one of the comebacks on here in a jr high game the other day.

5 in the backfield on home team, flag down, working HL

being jr high, no real crowd noise, coach on opposite side asks who was it on.

"Someone other than the quarterback?"

the visiting coaches got quite the laugh out of it...   after I explained it to them...
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: lawdog on September 22, 2010, 04:06:07 PM
In my first appearance wearing the white hat Monday night (JV game...)  home team is on offense and has 10 in the huddle and brings in the 11th to a running back position (well inside the 9 yard marks) when they realize they are short.  Plenty of time before the snap, so clearly no penatly.  Visiting coach goes crazy about the 11th man entering after A had broken the huddle.  His comment, "Hey that's illegal substitution he wasn't in the huddle!  They need to have 11 in the huddle!!!"  :!#
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: InsideTheStripes on September 22, 2010, 04:22:34 PM
In my first appearance wearing the white hat Monday night (JV game...)  home team is on offense and has 10 in the huddle and brings in the 11th to a running back position (well inside the 9 yard marks) when they realize they are short.  Plenty of time before the snap, so clearly no penatly.  Visiting coach goes crazy about the 11th man entering after A had broken the huddle.  His comment, "Hey that's illegal substitution he wasn't in the huddle!  They need to have 11 in the huddle!!!"  :!#

There must be something in the water this year.  Earlier this year I had a coach yelling at me about a similar situation with a defensive sub.

Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Jackhammer on September 22, 2010, 07:38:11 PM
Intentional grounding call, QB throws it in the flat and there's not an A-B player or even a C player, for that matter, within 10 yards of the thing.

Coach:  What's the call
Official:  Intentional grounding, coach.
Coach:  How can you call that, it was a timing pattern to my fullback and he didn't get through the line and out to the flat.
Official:  We agree coach, there was no eligible receiver near the pass, it's intentional grounding
Coach:  You can't call that my FB didn't get through the line and it's a timing pattern.  You can't call that, it's a timing pattern.   It's a timing pattern.
Official:  Yes coach we recognize there must be something wrong, it's still a foul.

A continuation....as we marked off the penalty the coach says, what is that the longest penalty in the history of football?

Our HL has a sub-varsity game the next Monday at this coach's school...He walks up and says, "Hi Coach.  My crew sent me down here to finish marking off that penalty from Friday."  He got a good kick out of that one....we'll probably get a playoff recommend. just for the humor.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: younggun on September 23, 2010, 10:57:02 AM
The other day...

4th down and what ever.... A throws the ball and A-WR pushes off a makes the catch.  ^flag for OPI. So 15 from the previous spot and turn over on downs..... A's Coach "They cant have both! They can take the loss of down or the 15 yards, not both!"
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Getting Fat on September 23, 2010, 12:22:02 PM
younggun - isn't the coach 1/2 right?

PENALTY—Pass interference by Team A: 15 yards from the previous
spot [S33].
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: younggun on September 23, 2010, 12:26:52 PM
younggun - isn't the coach 1/2 right?

PENALTY—Pass interference by Team A: 15 yards from the previous
spot [S33].

Yes, he is half right.... but he still thinks the ball should be his ball.... I think he went on to say that penality is a "Double-Wammy"
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Welpe on September 23, 2010, 12:28:54 PM
younggun - isn't the coach 1/2 right?

PENALTY—Pass interference by Team A: 15 yards from the previous
spot [S33].

In Federation, OPI is 15 yards from the previous spot AND a loss of down.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Getting Fat on September 23, 2010, 12:37:30 PM
Welpe - I figured that might be the case after I posted it, some forethought on my part would've been helpful...

Darned two (three counting professional) sets of rules for the same damned game...
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: southarkumpire on September 23, 2010, 02:11:10 PM
Yep..OPI is basically the worst penalty you can get hit with as far as loss of yards and especially in this case, turnover on downs
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: RMR on September 23, 2010, 03:46:54 PM
Special Thu afternoon edition of Mouths of Fans:

Tue night we had some BUTT-clown daddy in an 8th grade game hollering at us about how we were "cheating the kids" and wondering how we "can sleep at night" as a result of a penalty enforcement that he didn't understand (NFHS rules - dead ball USC on B prior to a try followed by dead ball USC on A, which resulted in A's try being snapped from B16.5)

It was really kinda sad to see someone get so worked up about an 8th grade football game that apparently we had nothing better to do than go out and fk over some 13 yo kids. Eventually one of the assistants for his kid's team had to go over to the fence and explain to him why the enforcement was correct and how much of an BUTT he was making of himself. I'm sure his son was proud.

Oh yeah, religious school too, BTW.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Etref on September 23, 2010, 04:10:42 PM
Yep..OPI is basically the worst penalty you can get hit with as far as loss of yards and especially in this case, turnover on downs


It used to be the same in NCAA, but over the years offensive minded coaches have taken over the rules committee and dropped the LOD.....
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Bugolathe on September 23, 2010, 10:08:48 PM
A continuation....as we marked off the penalty the coach says, what is that the longest penalty in the history of football?

Our HL has a sub-varsity game the next Monday at this coach's school...He walks up and says, "Hi Coach.  My crew sent me down here to finish marking off that penalty from Friday."  He got a good kick out of that one....we'll probably get a playoff recommend. just for the humor.

You seriously think we're getting a vote for that call?  ^no

Jackhammer and I are on the same crew.   
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on September 23, 2010, 10:34:57 PM
JV Game tonight.  First play after the opening kickoff and the runner is tackled with the defender's arm across the neck and chest.  An assistant on my sideline starts screaming for a horsecollar while throwing in the comment, "They changed the rule this year, you can't ignore it!"  I was NOT going to go through a whole game of that crap so I turned around and loudly said, "Coach!  What constitutes a Horse Collar Tackle foul?"  Surprisingly, he did a somewhat decent answer to the question so I replied, "Correct, but the only thing in your description that happened on this tackle was that a tackle was made. No collars were grabbed."  I had blissfull silence from that assistant for the remainder of the game.  Sometimes you just have to nip it in the bud.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Aussie-Zebra on September 24, 2010, 01:34:21 AM
Last season I learned from a HC  that a player is automatically ejected for 2 Personal Fouls and he sometimes Refs  :o

I must say that this and <war stories> are my fav. part of Refstripes.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: beaye1 on September 24, 2010, 07:19:39 AM
Not from a coach, but still funny.  Last night sub varsity game  ^flag for center holding.  After marking off the penalty, the kid comes to me a says "but ref I took him down".  I said that is correct, but son you can't do that and that is why there is a flag.  He looks at me and says "Oh" and said he was sorry.  It's always funny when they say it loud enough near their sideline where the coaches hear it and the silence after yelling that it was a bad call.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Osric Pureheart on September 24, 2010, 08:34:02 AM

It used to be the same in NCAA, but over the years offensive minded coaches have taken over the rules committee and dropped the LOD.....


I remember reading somewhere that way back in the dim and distant past, OPI in Team B's end zone was a touchback.  Do I recall correctly or am I just making it up?
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Etref on September 24, 2010, 09:00:15 AM
I have never heard of OPI being a touchback............................ OPI is a previous spot foul.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Adibisi on September 25, 2010, 07:03:04 PM
"You guys keep starting the 40 second clock at the end of the play."
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: TxGrayhat on September 25, 2010, 09:06:27 PM
What do you mean there aint no Halo rule they call it in the N C double A's every week..
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Grant - AR on September 26, 2010, 12:38:43 PM
I remember reading somewhere that way back in the dim and distant past, OPI in Team B's end zone was a touchback.  Do I recall correctly or am I just making it up?

That was a rule in NCAA for one year (I think it only lasted one year) quite a while ago...late 70s/early 80s maybe.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on September 27, 2010, 07:39:46 AM
What do you mean there aint no Halo rule they call it in the N C double A's every week..
Doesn't Texas use NCAA rules?
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: george7244 on September 27, 2010, 09:14:33 AM
texas does indeed use ncaa rules.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on September 27, 2010, 09:25:16 AM
texas does indeed use ncaa rules.
So it sounds like that coach might have had a valid argument in TxGrayHat's post.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Etref on September 27, 2010, 09:58:49 AM
So it sounds like that coach might have had a valid argument in TxGrayHat's post.

NCAA rules did away with the halo rule several years ago. It is know up to the judgement of the covering official.


Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: younggun on September 27, 2010, 11:04:42 AM
To really get this one you have to know it was the last week of the season here in AK and the coach and I get along pretty good.

Coach: Ref I need a timeout....
Me: Coach you do not have any more time outs
Coach: I know, I just need one...
Me: (Clearly joking) Well I can sell ya one for $50
Coach: $50!? Wow the guy last week said they were $100 each...
Me: Its an end of season clearance sale, all timeouts must go...
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: PSK on September 27, 2010, 11:27:49 AM
Overheard (I was the box man):

HL (indicating coach's restraining line): "Coach, I need to you back up six feet, please."
JV Coach (standing in restricted area): "That line is for soccer."
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on September 27, 2010, 04:53:03 PM
We have a lot of fields marked like that.  That kind of discussion gets avoided when the general notices are sent out at the beginning of the year.  One of them says we will be using the markings on the sideline for the restricted area whether it's 6 feet or more than 6 feet.  That usually encourages the owners of turf fields to spray paint a 6-foot line, but if they don't then we use the deeper line.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Lone Star on September 30, 2010, 10:13:38 AM
From a game this year:

As we were getting ready to take captains out for the toss, I casually ask the speaking captain if he is clear on the options that his coach wants.

Captain: Yes sir
Me: Just out of curiosity, what did the coach tell you to choose if you win the toss?
Captain: We want to kick
Me:  Are you sure about that?
Captain: Yes sir
Me: Maybe you should go check with him again. (about this time the coach walks up)
Captain: Coach, if we win the toss we want to kick right?
Coach: Yep
Me: Are you sure about that Coach?
Coach: Yeah, we want to kick so that we will receive in the second half
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: VALJ on September 30, 2010, 03:01:58 PM
If I'm bringing the captains out, I ask the speaking captain "what are you doing if you win?"  So far, everyone's told me 'defer' or 'receive', but I'm waiting for someone to say what Lone Star had...

When we used to bring the captains out for the second half for their choices, when my captain had the choice, I'd jokingly ask "you want to kick, right?"  For years, every captain would either laugh and say "yeah, right", or tell me "no, we're receiving."  However, one night, the captain looked at me in all seriousness and said "yes, sir."  I made sure to tell the referee as we reached the hash marks that "Captain Jones has indicated to me that he wants to receive" so that we didn't let him screw that up.

I supoose I don't really need to tell you that was the LAST time I made that joke.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: bama_stripes on October 01, 2010, 07:31:40 AM
Nowadays, when I talk with the head coach before the game, I just ask him if he wants the ball in the 1st half or the 2nd half.  I can figure out the rest!
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: TXMike on October 01, 2010, 07:37:38 AM
I am normally a B but had to R one time last year when regular R was out.  We always ask the coaches beforehand what they want to do on the toss.  This night one of them had said he wanted to defer.  The other one said he wanted to receive.   As we got back on the field just prior to the toss, I realized I did not take a coin.  No problem.  Took the captains to center of field and told them  "Cpt A your coach wants to defer.  Cpt B your coach wants to receive so you will do so.  Cpt A what side will you kick from?"  Everyone got what they wanted and did not even need to toss.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Chikenwang on October 01, 2010, 08:13:01 AM
Had to do Rock, Paper, Scissors once...
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Etref on October 01, 2010, 09:23:26 AM
Along, long time ago in a place far away: official forgot his coin on a 7th grade game and pulled out his Copenhagen can. Said the silver lid is heads, then flipped it.


Swear it is true........................................
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: rickref on October 01, 2010, 09:31:15 AM
Mid third quarter

Coach "The missed personal fouls are inexcusable. All these penlaties against us just ain't right. How many penalties do we have an dhow many do they have?"

Me-"Coach they only foul in this game has been called against you."

Coach (blank stare). 
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Welpe on October 01, 2010, 09:32:46 AM
Had another gem last night during a JV game. We called illegal participation and marched off  the 15 from the previous spot. The fouling team's coach swears we screwed it up because 12 men is only 5 yards. I try to explain and he interrupts me (coaches love interrupting I've noticed) with "It's not a personal foul! Therefore it's not 15 yards!"

How do you argue with that logic and would you be surprised if I told you I ended up flagging this same coach later in the game for calling us a bunch of cheaters?
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: 110 on October 01, 2010, 10:42:14 PM
I ended up flagging this same coach later in the game for calling us a bunch of cheaters?

That's not a free trip to the stands?
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: txmustang68 on October 02, 2010, 08:56:19 AM
Home team in game last night ran 5 consecutive plays with 10 men - and scored!
Visiting coach wanted to know why the H was not calling illegal formation because his we was CLEARLY in the backfield.  When we explained the rule change from 2 or 3 years ago, he didn't believe us.  Said he would check the rulebook.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: bama_stripes on October 03, 2010, 01:30:01 PM
"It's not a personal foul! Therefore it's not 15 yards!"

"Coach, you got that half right!"
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: golfingref on October 03, 2010, 01:45:43 PM
Not funny, but rather disturbing.  Defensive player goes to sideline after 15 yard penalty for taunting.  Coach told that player was taunting the other team and their fans.  Coach' reply:  "You didn't do anything wrong.  You can taunt the fans all you want."
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: RMR on October 03, 2010, 11:39:22 PM
Friday night, I'm working at BJ and and B intercepts a pass in their own end zone.  they run it out to about B35.

The next time we had a timeout the H comes over to me and tells me that A's coach had an issue with the call.  I'm wondering what the issue is because it was nowhere near DPI.  Anyhow, his beef was that I allowed B to bring the interception out of the end zone.

So the H tells him that's legal and the coach says, "But you can't runa  kick out of the end zone."

H "OK, but that wasn't a kick coach."

Coach: "But you can't run a kick out."

H: "You're right coach, but that was an interception."

Coach: "Yeah but you can't run a kick out."

H:  "OK coach."
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on October 04, 2010, 08:39:11 AM
Sometimes you have to lead them to it slowly but thoroughly.  I would have followed  up with: "You keep quoting a rule regarding kicks, coach.  What part of that play involved the ball being struck by a foot?"

(pause as the slow dawning of understanding worms its way through the reptilian cortex)
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: rickref on October 22, 2010, 08:08:16 AM
Well assistant coach slash statistician - "Can you tell me why the clock did not run after the false start with 26 seconds left? Thats just poor."

Me ' Whats your stats say when they took a time out coach? '

coach ' 26 seconds.'

me ' Then whats it say?'

coach 'false start then a run. Why did the clock not start?'

Me ' Coach clock was stopped for a time out and has yet to be put into play prior to the false start.'

coach '(disgruntled) Oh.'
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: VALJ on October 22, 2010, 02:41:51 PM
Had one like that last night. 

"Why isn't the clock running?" 
"Because the runner was out of bounds." 

(Unspoken: "When he landed right at your feet in the team box, coach.")
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: fbrefga on October 24, 2010, 01:25:14 PM
Last Friday's HS game:  home team commits a false start with 3:59 remaining in 4th quarter.  Coach calls a timeout and wants a conference with me.  My LJ goes with me to the coach.

Me:      Yes sir?
Coach:  The defense is calling our signals.  That's why we got the false start.
Me:      No, I have not heard the defense calling signals.  My umpire will flag it if he hears it.  I will check with him, but we have not heard them calling the signals.
Coach:  (in a condescending voice) That would be right because you haven't seen anything tonight.

Flag is out and I proceed to my umpire.  We assess the penalty.  After the game, my LJ tells me that the coach asked him what he did to deserve the flag.  My LJ said "It was what you said and the way you said it."

The home team won the game but the losing coach runs to me and my umpire immediately after the game and stated that he is appreciative in having my crew work the game and thought we did a great job. 

Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Wettstein on October 24, 2010, 01:51:54 PM
So I'm confused....

The home team made a comment that you flagged him for...

The home team won...

The home team asked what the flag was for after the game...

The home team thanked you for your work...

Right?  Was tghat the only comment he made during the game - or were there several more?
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: fbrefga on October 24, 2010, 09:41:50 PM
So I'm confused....

The home team made a comment that you flagged him for...

The home team won...

The home team asked what the flag was for after the game...

The home team thanked you for your work...

Right?  Was tghat the only comment he made during the game - or were there several more?


The home team head coach made the comment in a very condescending tone.    As the umpire and I were assessing the penalty, the head coach asked the LJ what he did to deserve the flag.  The LJ told him.  The visiting coach (losing coach) thanked us for our efforts.

Criticism from coaches are part of the game.  However, this coach crossed the line; and he knew it.


Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Rulesman on October 25, 2010, 10:32:39 PM
From a girl's basketball coach just after her assistant gets rung up: "Doesn't he get a warning?"

Official: "He sure does, coach. He does it again and he's gone."

I'm sitting about 3 rows behind the bench laughing my IDIOT off. I would have never believed the story had I not heard it myself.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: busman on October 26, 2010, 10:40:17 AM
Reminds me of the Field of Dreams scene:

Moonlight Graham, after picking himself up from dodging a bean ball, "Hey ump, how about a warning?"

Umpire, "Ok.  Watchout you don't get killed next time."
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Mike L on October 26, 2010, 12:09:11 PM
proving you can't assume they're all dumb.....

I'm LJ in 7 man, pass is to TE over the middle who "looks" like he might have got bumped (I didn't see the whole thing so what do I know) but no flag comes out. My sideline is upset over no call and....

Asst Coach loudly to me, "you didn't see that hold?!?"

Head Coach to asst, "leave him alone. It's not his job, he's watching our back out here in the flat. The TE is the BJ's job."
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: KB on October 27, 2010, 01:45:36 AM
We do have an Austrian coach over here who spent (and spends) quite some time with officials during the offseason, attending clinics, evening meetings and the like.
He started as a youth coach at his organisation and then was made HC of the seniors team. This year, he has become the first Austrian (non-American, non-Canadian) HC to lead his team to the national title in decades.

And yeah, you guessed right: the opposing teams always accuse the officials to be biased, when in fact it is just his superior knowledge of what is going on inside an officials head and what will be called and what not that makes his team have less penalties.

Cooperation beats confrontation in the long run.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Chester on October 28, 2010, 12:55:10 PM
Reminds me of the Field of Dreams scene:

Moonlight Graham, after picking himself up from dodging a bean ball, "Hey ump, how about a warning?"

Umpire, "Ok.  Watchout you don't get killed next time."

My third favorite movie of all time behind, Rocky and Braveheart. 
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on October 28, 2010, 09:55:57 PM
"If you say, 'Yo, Wallace!', he will come."  ;D
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Chester on October 29, 2010, 08:43:29 AM
 tiphat: Very nice. 
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: BIG DON on October 29, 2010, 09:50:34 AM
High School Rules:
Not from a Coach but from the fans of a game.
The home team scored and went for 2 the running back was hit at the one yard line and kept driving before he crossed the goal line he fumbled the ball.  THe ball went into the endzone and the runner fell on the ball in the endzone for 2.

Some loud mouth yelled as we line up for the kick off saying you suck refs we are not dumb we know the rules and you cant fumble forward  ^no
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: LarryW60 on October 29, 2010, 10:23:10 AM
Yeah.  As much as you'd LIKE to stop and illuminate just how much of the rules these loudmouths know, a.) there's no time for that, and b.) doing so will only encourage them more because now they've inserted themselves into the game "action" - making them a star to the other fans.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: TxJugster on October 29, 2010, 11:15:40 AM
Not from a coach but from a first year official

At half time we were talking about how most teams defer their option till the second half (I would say 75% do).

Me: Well they do that so they get the ball first in the second half
First Year Official: Why don't they just select Kick?
Me: (with curious look) this isn't Madden
FYO: (Excited) You play Madden? PS3? What is your online name?

We explained to him the difference between real life and Madden and why the coach would never want to kick but I giggled at his response. 
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: busman on October 29, 2010, 11:37:43 AM
But 5 years ago the home team chose to kick.  We tried everything we could to talk the player out of it, but he was insistent.  So, they kicked off.  In the second half, the home coach asked me "What end are we receiving from?"  Well, Coach, ....

So,out of his mouth (Wait for it) "It's impossible to kickoff  both halves."

So now, that conference does the toss 45 minutes before game time with the coaches.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: BIG DON on November 20, 2010, 07:20:16 PM
here is another on from a playoff game that  I worked  Home team is lined up in free kick formation and they pooch kick the ball.  R 1 signals  for a fair catch he gives a great signal. R 2 makes the catch.  Home team head coach is now throwing a fit that he cant do that because R 2 was not the one that called for the fair catch ??? He said that is a illegal fair catch and we want to kick the ball over again :!# that is when one of the assistant coach popped up and said coach he is not afforded the protection and when he caught the ball the play is over  :bOW
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: bama_stripes on November 23, 2010, 07:34:59 AM
Not from a coach but from a first year official

At half time we were talking about how most teams defer their option till the second half (I would say 75% do).

Me: Well they do that so they get the ball first in the second half
First Year Official: Why don't they just select Kick?
Me: (with curious look) this isn't Madden
FYO: (Excited) You play Madden? PS3? What is your online name?

We explained to him the difference between real life and Madden and why the coach would never want to kick but I giggled at his response. 

As crazy as this may seem, this very thing happened to Nebraska earlier this year.  And yes, they kicked off both halves.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Frank in FL on November 23, 2010, 09:12:47 AM
Couple of weeks ago coach lets kicker use a drop kick for the try.  Guy holding the box tells the wing that the coach looked it up and said they'd get 2 points for a drop kick on an extra point and 4 points for a field goal using a drop kick. Good thing he missed it.  Oh, and they lost the game by one point.  Karma?
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: secondeagle on November 23, 2010, 09:47:53 AM
Must have been looking at sixman exceptions. Ha
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: Aussie-Zebra on November 25, 2010, 01:11:48 AM
As crazy as this may seem, this very thing happened to Nebraska earlier this year.  And yes, they kicked off both halves.

Was doing a U19 game last weekend and at the toss I asked the Cpt (about 16yo) what he wanted to do and he said "we'll kick" and being juniors I said "No you don't really want to do that" and he said "No we want to kick" so I asked the Coach "and he said "we'll kick". I explained he'd be kicking both halves and he said "yeah I know - we want to try some Def. plays"

So it does happen.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: AlUpstateNY on November 25, 2010, 09:38:25 AM
Was doing a U19 game last weekend and at the toss I asked the Cpt (about 16yo) what he wanted to do and he said "we'll kick" and being juniors I said "No you don't really want to do that" and he said "No we want to kick" so I asked the Coach "and he said "we'll kick". I explained he'd be kicking both halves and he said "yeah I know - we want to try some Def. plays"
So it does happen.

A very successful, long time (now retired) Head High School coach always chose to Kick off.  When asked, he claimed he tracked statistics that showed the starting on defense most often helped him with a better field position. 

He claimed young men are better prepared to play defense at the start of a game, than warming up with offense.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: saofficial(aust) on November 28, 2010, 02:03:54 PM
well had a lot of classic comments this weekend but 2 really stand out.

first was a forward pass that fell short of the LOS - apperently the ball is still live if it hits the ground behind the LOS and anyone can recover it.

the second was a little more complex for a captain to understand as it involved a score, penalty and end of half timing. it just took too much brain power for them to get it. last play of the half and team A have 5 in the backfield. flag thrown by LJ. time expires and score TD is made.
we strongly advise team B to accept the penalty and replay the down but no they dont want to play another down so then they should decline the penalty and Team A score but they were penalised so cant score they say, yes but you have to accept the penalty and replay the down for a live ball. Why do we have to replay the down? then another official chimed in because time expired. Capt said 'Oh i get it now.'

next time just tell them the choices and let them truly decide without influence. penalty declined and then Team A can score and we can all go inside for half time.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: VALinesman on November 28, 2010, 02:29:09 PM
well had a lot of classic comments this weekend but 2 really stand out.

first was a forward pass that fell short of the LOS - apperently the ball is still live if it hits the ground behind the LOS and anyone can recover it.

the second was a little more complex for a captain to understand as it involved a score, penalty and end of half timing. it just took too much brain power for them to get it. last play of the half and team A have 5 in the backfield. flag thrown by LJ. time expires and score TD is made.
we strongly advise team B to accept the penalty and replay the down but no they dont want to play another down so then they should decline the penalty and Team A score but they were penalised so cant score they say, yes but you have to accept the penalty and replay the down for a live ball. Why do we have to replay the down? then another official chimed in because time expired. Capt said 'Oh i get it now.'

next time just tell them the choices and let them truly decide without influence. penalty declined and then Team A can score and we can all go inside for half time.

That's why, in cases like that, I ask for B captain and tell him to say 'no'. Works every time. Most of the time they know why....
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: saofficial(aust) on November 28, 2010, 05:00:46 PM
we did that and they still wanted to choose even to the point of arguing at half time. it was hugely painful.
Title: Re: Mouths of Coaches 2010
Post by: AlUpstateNY on November 29, 2010, 09:31:38 AM
we did that and they still wanted to choose even to the point of arguing at half time. it was hugely painful.

Explaining penalty options is one of the prime responsibilities of the Referee.  Despite, even what might be the most perfectly clear and concise explanation, the intended message, at times, may not be clearly understood.  Much of any success of that communication depends on the age and maturity of the listener, and it's left to the skill of the explainor to be able to figure out how to convey the message so it's context is appropriately understood.

Sometimes it requires first outlining the functions of the participants in the discussion;  The Referee's job is to explain, the Captain's (Coach) job is to listen.  Until that's understood, communication can be difficult.  Being able to differentiate between when someone may be honestly confused, or choosing to just be argumentative is a hard earned skill.