Legal or Illegal block?

[The Ref Thats Lef]

I wanted to get an opinion from you guys what you think of the block?

[El Macman]

I wanted to get an opinion from you guys what you think of the block?

Block on the shoulder, not the back. No foul.

[Rulesman]

Side block. If called, certainly not a "quality" foul in my opinion. 

[Kalle]

I know that some people want this to be flagged but I agree with El Mac and Rulesman that this is a block on the shoulder, not in the back.

[Etref]

One thing I noticed also is that flag was awful quick in coming out. Let it process in your head before you reach.

[cougar729]

Have to agree with everyone else here, this is a side block, would be a good one to stay off of.

[Rostrom]

Please observe the left shoulder of the blocker....

[El Macman]

Please observe the left shoulder of the blocker....

Done. Looks like a near mirror image of the right shoulder. Now what?

[SanDiegoStryker]

I've been told to watch how the guy hits the ground. If he got blocked the back he usually lands on his face. This guy lands on his side and back. I think it's definitely a legal side block.

[Rulesman]

...If he got blocked the back he usually lands on his face...

You can't depend on how he lands to determine legality. It's the primary point of contact that determines whether or not the block is legal. See the block from start to finish and don't worry about how he lands.

[El Macman]

You can't depend on how he lands to determine legality. It's the primary point of contact that determines whether or not the block is legal. See the block from start to finish and don't worry about how he lands.

Right on, my man. Right on.

[bossman72]

Ok, now more in-depth on this play:

If you are the LJ and see the block and deem it legal, then see the flag by the R, what do you do?

[Rulesman]

Ok, now more in-depth on this play:

If you are the LJ and see the block and deem it legal, then see the flag by the R, what do you do?

I might ask him if he saw the whole play. If he says no, I take his flag away. 

[El Macman]

Ok, now more in-depth on this play:

If you are the LJ and see the block and deem it legal, then see the flag by the R, what do you do?

I've had a similar situation happen. I had a really good and complete look at the block, and ruled it legal (in my mind). Another official threw on it, but I felt like he could not have possibly had a really good look at it. I approached him and told him that I had a really good look at it and the block started on the shoulder, and, as the blockee rotated toward the BC, the block migrated to the back. He replayed it in his mind, and realized that he probably didn't see the beginning of the block, so he withdrew the flag. I didn't tell him to do anything, and I didn't question what he saw. I offered the best information I could, and he made the decision to rescind.
That approach was learned from Tim Millis. If you have something to offer, offer. But don't ask, "What did you see?" His best example was (paraphrashing): Don't ask me if I thought it was catchable. Hell yeah, I thought it was catachble, or I wouldn't have thrown on it. If you think it wasn't catchable, just say so. Then I'll decide if I want to pick it up or stick with it.

[TampaSteve]

Just for argument's sake of maybe why it may have been called:
A was certainly in chase mode. - at at full speed at field level it could explain the call.

However, after B is hit, look what happened.  He actually changed directions and rotated clockwise.  this would mean the majority of A's momentum hit B from the side, not the back (not from the school of "if he hits his face it must be a BiB" - trying to point out the rotation of B).  Thus no call.

A good example of why we need to think & process prior to dropping a flag.

[cougar729]

I've had a similar situation happen. I had a really good and complete look at the block, and ruled it legal (in my mind). Another official threw on it, but I felt like he could not have possibly had a really good look at it. I approached him and told him that I had a really good look at it and the block started on the shoulder, and, as the blockee rotated toward the BC, the block migrated to the back. He replayed it in his mind, and realized that he probably didn't see the beginning of the block, so he withdrew the flag. I didn't tell him to do anything, and I didn't question what he saw. I offered the best information I could, and he made the decision to rescind.
That approach was learned from Tim Millis. If you have something to offer, offer. But don't ask, "What did you see?" His best example was (paraphrashing): Don't ask me if I thought it was catchable. heck yeah, I thought it was catachble, or I wouldn't have thrown on it. If you think it wasn't catchable, just say so. Then I'll decide if I want to pick it up or stick with it.

This is a great point that El Macman makes, too often we have information that can help save our crew from making a mistake and we don't act.  Telling your partner in the lockerroom is too late.

[Osric Pureheart]

Interesting thing: there were two flags on this play.  L was looking at recievers, but H called it as well from the far sideline.

[Rulesman]

Interesting thing: there were two flags on this play.  L was looking at recievers, but H called it as well from the far sideline.

H should be advised to fish in his own pond.