Brutal Game

[Joe Stack]

Tonight was an absolute beating. Game was reasonably competitive in first half then blown open in the second. First half had some snippiness, but nothing too severe. We discussed at halftime game control (getting to be a habit for me as I'm becoming Mr. Blowout). 3rd quarter just starts to get out of control fast. Both teams, despite our warnings, are doing a lot of talking and some late stuff. Mostly smack, so we stopped warning and started throwing flags. Team behind, while not exactly choir-boys, lays off a little, but team ahead doesn't seem to want to lay off. I firmly believe the coach had his team so fired up and hasn't yet taught them the difference between aggressiveness and being out of control. Midway through the 3rd, we are risking losing control.

One player from the team in front makes some kind of play on the other sideline, and while I don't know who said what first, he starts mouthing at an Asst. coach. The coach is talking to him, but by the time I get to the player, I don't know or can't hear what the coach is saying -- it doesn't appear to be anything bad, and we hadn't had any problems with that sideline all night. The player is going crazy -- I try to get him back and he keeps going toward the bench, so I flag him. I finally get him away from there and of course, he wants something done to the Asst. coach. Meanwhile on the other side of the field, one assist. coach is starting to come on the field, and my LJ stops him. The HC wants a conference, which is fine. I hear him out -- he's HACKED that other coach is talking to his player (without knowing what was said; turns out the coach was just saying the player should go back to his on sideline, etc.). After getting the coach calmed down, I have a little "come to Jesus" meeting, and let him know I will not lose control and will suspend the game if he doesn't get control of his sideline and team. He tells me he will, does not give me any attitude, and I go inform the other coach the same thing. The other coach has no problems.

After that, things get a little better, but we still have several USC fouls on the leading team (which HACKS me off). I talk to some of the kids and one on one, they were pretty much cool with what happened, but man, I felt like we were seconds away from disaster (as the show goes).

Sorry for the rant. I'd love to hear input from anyone on what you think the best way to handle these situations is. I don't like throwing 20+ (or 30+; I really don't know) flags, but I didn't feel like we had a choice. I'm going to get a tape and study it carefully. Everyone who got flagged complained that they were hit or they were taunted (I know -- everyone thinks they did nothing wrong). I want to see if we missed something.

Man, these are games I really don't like and makes me wonder why I put all the time and energy I do into this.

[centexsports]

First, to your question.   When it looks like someone or a team is getting out of control, I pick a player as quickly as possible and tell them that this is their only warning and if they do anything after the whistle, I will not hesitate to eject them (I haven't had to eject anyone yet).   I also have my umpire continuously remind everyone to keep it cool.   And most importantly, we make extra effort to get to the pile early to keep extra stuff from happening.

Second, we had a brutal game last night.   My HL was knocked silly when he was run over and hit his head on the turf.    My umpire got kneed in the leg, hit in the groin, and had his watch ripped off which cut his hand in the process.   Plus I pulled a calf muscle.

It was a great game!

[110]

When white capping, I use discussions with the captains as a key tool. If both teas are getting stupid, I ask for on-field captains to approach me. I then go through the usual
"Gents, there's a problem ..." and then encourage them to do one or both of two things (a) communicate with their on-field players; (b) communicate with their head coach the general "please keep peace and order" directive.

It doesn't require bringing the coaches of the two teams together. It uses established communications protocols and gets the job done.

Of course, timing is the key. Knowing when the game is going to go stupid is vital ...and a good crew will get that sense at the right time - in other words, not too late.

[JasonTX]

I do a similar thing as Livin' in the pit mentions.

I get both teams together, with the captains in front and bring to their attention how ugly the game has gotten.  I point out that there are fans here to watch a football game and not a bunch of fights or taunting etc.  I then make sure the captains are aware that I am holding the captains responsible for the actions of their teammates.  I want the captains to believe that if a teammate gets flagged that I am writing down the captains number as well.  If they are the captain they need to take charge of their team is the point I want them to get.  I don't make any threats of ejections or anything because then you'd have to follow through.  If I ever get a game where this don't work, my next step would be to pull the teams together again and ask them what they want to do.  We all go home or we play football.  In both situations you want to also make sure they know what you told the teams.  Another idea is to take an extended timeout to let the teams go their sidelines to cool off.

[940AC]

Have been in some games that are way too "chippy" also.
Never fun to go through those types of games.
Get to the pile early, be a presence and communicate.
Have never been on a crew where we have had to suspend play and regroup the teams/staff, but that's a great way to give them not only a cool down timeout, but to also talk with both HC's and demand they get in control of their teams actions.

[JasonTX]

Have been in some games that are way too "chippy" also.
Never fun to go through those types of games.
Get to the pile early, be a presence and communicate.
Have never been on a crew where we have had to suspend play and regroup the teams/staff, but that's a great way to give them not only a cool down timeout, but to also talk with both HC's and demand they get in control of their teams actions.

The funny thing about these type of games.  Coaches are usually yelling at us that we need to get control of the game.  My response, "Coach, we already have multiple personal fouls and unsportsmanlike fouls on both teams, what more do you want us to do to get control.  Our flags don't seem to be working."

[texref]

Agree with a lot of the ideas here. My first effort is a CTJ talk with both teams. I call TO tell both teams to stay in their huddle and tell both teams the same thing about how things are going to be. I dentify the Captains on both teams and let them know they will be the first to be ejected if they can't get their teams under control.
From there I let the Coach's know any further UNS will be "flagrant" and their player ejected from the game. If he can't keep them under control, who can?

[Rulesman]

While I'm all for preventive officiating, it doesn't sound like that worked here. I'd be willing to bet an early ejection (or two, if necessary) solves most of your problems. Talking didn't work, so you now have to send a message you aren't going to tolerate it. They'll get it quickly. If they don't, or if the coach doesn't like it, too bad. Maybe he needs to get control of his out-of-control team. And if the coach is the problem and he is out of control, he can go too. You're paid to officiate a game, not to babysit a bunch of folks acting like children.

[Cowman52]

This will work--tell both coaches,either to their face or via the wings, next USC foul will have qb, rb and rt tackle on offense and middle linebacker, safety and cornerback on the bus, try me and see it happen.

ThenDO it.
Next foul and game is over.

[RMR]

This will work--tell both coaches,either to their face or via the wings, next USC foul will have qb, rb and rt tackle on offense and middle linebacker, safety and cornerback on the bus, try me and see it happen.

ThenDO it.
Next foul and game is over.

How exactly does one write that up in the disqualification form?

[rickref]

I have been in these games at various levels. Sometimes flagging does not work and even sometimes ejecting kids does not work. Appealing to captains first is always a good first step but do not stop there in case another incident arises. Off setting fouls never help, get instigators. I have advised coaches to not place me and the crew in a position to make difficult choices that invole us controlling the game.

Worse game I had with this was a youth championship game. We had a rash of late hits. We had a feeling a coach advised head hunting and was encouraging it. We told coaches one more and we dump the offender. It happened two plays later. We dumped the player, then my next step was I warned the entire coaching staff. (youth game you can get away with this).

Some games are just turds. You walk away with bad taste in your mouth. it is your pride talking when you wish you can do more and better. Sometimes you just do not have much at your disposal. I scratch those schools for a couple of years and re-evaluate later.