Given the national attention that continues to roil around player behavior and unsportsmanlike conduct, it might be helpful for me to share some thoughts as we go forward.
Calling or not calling these fouls places our officials in a difficult situation; it is the nature of the business to be criticized, and it seems especially true when we try to apply 9-2-1. These are judgment calls, as are all the decisions officials make during the action of the game.
As officials apply their judgment, perhaps these guidelines will be helpful:
• Remember that the game is one of high emotion, played by gifted teenagers who are affirmed by playing a game at which they are exceptionally talented.
• Do not be overly technical in applying this rule.
• Do allow for brief spontaneous emotional reactions at the end of a play.
• Beyond the brief, spontaneous bursts of energy, officials should flag those acts that are clearly prolonged, self-congratulatory, and making a mockery of the game.
A list of specifically prohibited acts is in (a) thru (h) on FR-122,123; this list is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. We can all agree that these acts are clearly intended to taunt or demean, and they should not be allowed—not only because they are written in the book, but because they offend our sense of how the game should be played.
We now have enough experience with this rule to know what “feels” right and wrong. Note that most if not all of these fall outside the category of brief, spontaneous outbursts. Rather, they present themselves as taunting, self-glorification, demeaning to opponents, or showing disrespect to the opponents and the game.
When such a situation arises, I encourage officials to wait a count, take a deep breath, and assess what they feel about what they have seen.
If it feels OK, let it go.
If it feels wrong, flag it.
It will never be possible to be totally specific in writing what should and should not be allowed. But we trust our officials to be men of good judgment who know in their hearts what should and should not be allowed in the heat of an emotional game.
Rogers Redding
SEC Coordinator of Football Officials
Now that is a good reference on calling unsportsmanlike calls. I only call Jr. high and Highschool games I usually will only call it if I feel they are taunting. In our chapter, there are a lot of crewchiefs who feel the same way.
Comment by matthew lipsey — April 29, 2010 at 10:57 am
Coaches need to have as good an understanding. The kid last season who put the ball on the ground, straddled it, and then began “riding” and “whipping” it like a jockey went over the line. I understand the coach was excited too, but to get in my face and say there’s no rule against riding the football was pretty insulting.
Comment by Buck Bartolik — May 14, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Buck,
That is quite a story. I’m not sure I’ve ever witnessed any act that took it that far. Regardless, no excuse for that behavior.
Todd
Comment by Todd — May 16, 2010 at 10:50 am
Buck that is funny, and I bet if the other team did this USC act that coach who got upset at you would have said something.
Comment by william bailey — May 24, 2010 at 12:23 pm
We mad a touchdown in a popwarner football game. The touchdown was call back because on of our players raised his arms in touchdown style while his team mate crossed the goal line. is that right i felt we were robbed.
Comment by Robert — August 17, 2010 at 3:15 pm