NCAA Outlawing the Wedge

[bitols]

I suppose, but that doesn't seem like it's "forming a wedge".

I can believe it.  I scored 10 games (2 pre-season, 8 regular season), did a full review of 8 others (regular season), a cursory review of 2 more (pre-season) and watched at least parts of dozens of games and never saw it called.

I can't find on the 'net a list of each NFL penalty in 2009, but only for 2008...
http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2009/09/find_details_about_each_nfl_pe.html
and Illegal wedge isn't there...

[RickWts]

Don't know for sure about NFL, but NCAA it will be a USC.

[JasonTX]

Don't know for sure about NFL, but NCAA it will be a USC.

That brings up another question.  We are being told that the foul is pinned on the third play to enter the wedge.  If so, does that mean if he does that twice he is disqualified?  This was talked about over the weekend and sometime in June it will be answered. 

[Atlanta Blue]

I can't find on the 'net a list of each NFL penalty in 2009, but only for 2008...
http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2009/09/find_details_about_each_nfl_pe.html
and Illegal wedge isn't there...

It wasn't a penalty in 2008.

[bitols]

that's why I'm asking a 2009 penalties calling list 

[Diablo]

That brings up another question.  We are being told that the foul is pinned on the third play to enter the wedge.  If so, does that mean if he does that twice he is disqualified?  This was talked about over the weekend and sometime in June it will be answered. 

Instead of "noncontact foul", perhaps "illegal formation" [S19] would be a more appropriate tag.

[ref6983]

This is an unsportsmanlike conduct (UNS) foul on the receiving team. No player is assigned the foul and no number is announced.

[Atlanta Blue]

that's why I'm asking a 2009 penalties calling list 

I have access to the 2009 penalties, unfortunately, on a team by team basis (and player by player), not for the league in total - (don't ask, it's a system flaw if you ask me).

I seached all teams, and there are no recorded "Illegal Wedge Blocks".  Now, I'm sure the reason for this is not that there were no wedge blocks, it's that our systems don't have a code for wedge blocks, and they were recorded as another penalty.

[jg-me]

  Forming an illegal wedge is NOT an unsportsmanlike foul even though the signal is the same. Signal 27 is used for USC and also for certain other 15 yard fouls that are generically referred to as noncontact fouls. Examples are elevating a teammate in an attempt to block a kick, stepping on a teammate to gain leverage - basically all 9-3-5 fouls. These fouls are noncontact in the sense that they do not involve contact between opponents but they are in no way included as unsportsmanlke acts. While illegal, they also do not intefere with the orderly administration of the game and thus, when committed, they do not count toward the disqualification of any player. The placing of the wedge foul in rule 6 and not rule 9-2 is further evidence the foul is not intended to be considered USC.

[ref6983]

  Forming an illegal wedge is NOT an unsportsmanlike foul even though the signal is the same. Signal 27 is used for USC and also for certain other 15 yard fouls that are generically referred to as noncontact fouls. Examples are elevating a teammate in an attempt to block a kick, stepping on a teammate to gain leverage - basically all 9-3-5 fouls. These fouls are noncontact in the sense that they do not involve contact between opponents but they are in no way included as unsportsmanlke acts. While illegal, they also do not intefere with the orderly administration of the game and thus, when committed, they do not count toward the disqualification of any player. The placing of the wedge foul in rule 6 and not rule 9-2 is further evidence the foul is not intended to be considered USC.

The previous posts were addressing the NFL experience with the wedge and it was indeed considered an unsportsmanlike conduct foul and coded under "UNS", in spite of the fact it appeared in rule 6.  It remains to be seen if a new code will be created for an illegal wedge in NCAA games, but certainly the foul will not be assessed to the individual player.

[JasonTX]

I would like to see them use the available signal #26 for this foul. 

[NVFOA_Ump]

Does anyone have an understanding of why the rulesmakers have to continue to try to make the rules so confusing?   Why couldn't the new "wedge" definition simply describe and define the definition AND the foul as "3 or more players ....." and simply left out the "two or more ...." part and leave what amounts to a simple double team block alone?

That would have left a simple "a wedge formation" is illegal, and would have avoided the need to define a "legal wedge" vs. an "illegal wedge".

[JasonTX]

One other question.  What is the definition of "onside kick formation" ?

[Hawkeye]

According to RR, the reason they defined the Wedge as two players, then outlawed three or more, is because there is a feeling on the Rules committee that in the coming years they may eliminate all wedges 2 or more players.  So they want you to start thinking of wedges as two or more players, then if they outlaw 2 or more, there will be no need to change our thinking of what a wedge is.

[Rulesman]

Next we'll be trying to eliminate double-teaming...

[TxJim]

Illegal Wedge  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qfufqIoTUk

[Osric Pureheart]

Just out of interest; aside from the wedge issue, does anyone else see a block below the waist from B51?  He's on the inside left of the wedge.

[Welpe]

Just out of interest; aside from the wedge issue, does anyone else see a block below the waist from B51?  He's on the inside left of the wedge.

Good pickup.  Sure looks like it.

Great video, thanks TxJim!

[NVFOA_Ump]

Just out of interest; aside from the wedge issue, does anyone else see a block below the waist from B51?  He's on the inside left of the wedge.

Don't think so.  Looks like the A player coming downfield goes low first toward the middle of the wedge (the wedge buster?) and B51 responds to keep him away from his knees.  Looks like 1st contact is shoulders, but it looks low since neither player is really standing straight up.  Not sure that I'd flag this one for BBW.

[TXMike]

Wedge - yes
BBW - No

[ABoselli]

I have been going over films of my games from last season and I see a ton of (now) illegal wedges on kickoff returns.

I hope the coaches get the message on this earlier rather than later so it's not an issue.

[Atlanta Blue]

I heard a rumour that the wedge ruling may be overturned and that there was a possibility of legal action - unable to find conformation with google.

Has anyone else heard this ?

Legal action?  Is the Kick Return Blockers Union threatening to sue?

[Aussie-Zebra]

My apologies - seems I was the victim of a rather bizarre practical joke.

How embarrassment.

[RickWts]

Legal action?  Is the Kick Return Blockers Union threatening to sue?

 

Post of the Day!

[Morningrise]

This is a whole new kind of penalty enforcement, is it not? Penalty enforcement during kick plays has become very complicated.

The wedge rule says, the foul is treated as if it occurs during the kick and thus enforced from the dead ball spot (or B-20) if the ball belongs to Team B. But since when is that how any Team B fouls during free kicks are enforced? Since now, apparently.

First novelty: I can't think of any other foul where, even though the offending team does not have possession, the spot of the foul is still a possible enforcement spot.

Second novelty: For the last few years, penalties for the following fouls could be "tacked on" - i.e. enforced from the dead ball spot when the ball belonged to Team B.

1. All Team A fouls (including fouls at the snap), except KCI, during or before a free kick or punt, but not a FG attempt. But the offended team has the option of enforcing these penalties from the previous spot.

2. The Team A foul for illegally returning inbounds during or any time after a free kick, punt or FG attempt. But the offended team has the option of enforcing this penalty from the previous spot.

Now we add to that list:

3. The Team B foul for illegal wedge formation, during or any time after a free kick, provided the foul occurs beyond the dead ball spot. The offended team does not have the option of enforcing this penalty from the previous spot. It's either at the dead ball spot (or B-20) or the spot of the foul.

But if Team A ends up with the ball, all three of these are always enforced from the previous spot. So at least they have one thing in common.