Week 1 comments

Each week I will be posting comments here based on our own post-game reviews (and normally after seeing the DVD, although obviously not this week).

Week one had a number of points we'd like to raise, including the following:

• The Football Code. All players are expected to have read and understood this, and each Head Coach certifies before the game that they uphold it. Please note that all registered players, coaches and ancillary, are bound by this code and this includes outside a game itself. For example abusing players, coaches and officials from the grandstand is a clear contravention and must cease immediately. You are not "just a spectator" as I've had said to me before, you are a member and ambassador of the league and must act appropriately. This is not directed at just one team, as members of at least two teams in the stands were clearly heard from the field on Saturday.
• The Football Code part II. Calling out "Thanks " from the sideline when opponents have penalties assessed against them is unsportsmanlike and must cease - again two different teams had this on more than one occasion, even after being warned.
• Mouthguards. A couple of illegal ones have already been picked up, but checks will continue. Please ensure that they meet the rules and (in particular) are not cut down/back.
• Fumbles. Diving on a loose ball is completely acceptable and an encouraged practise. However when there is already a large pile of players, diving on top of the pile and in particular targeting opponents i is not acceptable and will be penalised as USC - as occurred twice on Saturday.
• Targeting. As would have been explained to all players, targeting a defenseless player by initiating contact with the helmet and/or contacting above the shoulder is a personal foul and will generally lead to ejection. Every call of targeting, whether ejected or not, will face league review (as per the current NCAA rules) for additional suspension / penalty. This was covered at the pre-season coaches meeting.

As always, contact me if you have questions about this post - Simon.

See what you hit

http://www.jonheck.com/hdc/comments/seewhathit.htm
See What You Hit ... Almost Always Misunderstood
By Jon Heck, MS, ATC 9/07 "See What You Hit" is a phrase that had good intentions. It came along to help eliminate head-down contact and serious cervical spine injuries. Unfortunately, the often- used phrase is almost always misunderstood by coaches, players and lots and lots of others. Most interpret this phrase to mean "initiate contact your face mask." And it's easy to understand why, the phrase can easily lead you in that direction. It's to the point where I often wonder if it's done more harm than good. I do not use the phrase when I'm talking about contact in football.

It was developed to help teach players to approach contact with their head-up. It was never intended to be an ally for coaches to teach their players to initiate contact with their helmet in tackling, blocking or any other type of contact. In fact it was and remains a rule violation to initiate contact with the face mask (ie, head-up) in high school and college football. The idea is to approach contact with the head-up and then to make contact with the shoulder while keeping the neck in extension. A more precise and accurate phrase is "See What You're About to Hit". Or even better "See What You're About to Hit With Your Shoulder". But the objective is never to literally "See What You Hit" by initiating contact with your face mask.

Leading with the helmet will lead to trouble, sooner or later.

This is a direct quote from the 2007 High School Football Rule Book, and it's been in every Rule Book as far back as I can remember. "... the intent to make contact 'face up' is no guarantee that the position can be maintained at the moment of impact. Consequently, the teaching of blocking/tackling techniques which keep the helmeted head from receiving the brunt of the impact are now required by rule and coaching ethics ..."

The problem with teaching players to initiate contact with the face mask is two fold. First anytime an athlete initiates contact with the head he increases the risk of concussion and closed head injuries. Obviously, not a good thing. But the biggest risk is that the players will not execute the face first contact as intended and drop their head at the last instant. And when this happens it puts the athlete in the head-down position and at risk of axial loading and cervical spine fracture. And remember, it is instinctive for players to drop their head to protect their eyes and face at contact. It is this exact problem that is credited with the highest incidence of catastrophic neck injuries in the early 1970's ... teaching athletes to initiate contact with their "face in the numbers" and the athletes dropping their head's at contact.

So I would like to see the phrase 'exit stage left'. It's misinterpretation remains a reason coaches and players still believe it's OK to initiate contact with the helmet. It should be replaced with "When the shoulder goes down, the head comes up" or "Whenever you lower your shoulder, raise your head." None of the these are as short and sweet, but they're more accurate. And there is always "See what you're about to hit with your shoulder", it won't win any advertising campains but it will help players understand things a bit better.

Numbering

Numbering

The rules and enforcement on player numbering has not changed from last year. This year the enforcement of correct numbering will occur in week 1. As per the GA modified rule:

1-4-2-b

7-1-3-b-1

Ineligible numbers

These two rules specify that, for scrimmage plays other than plays from a scrimmage kick formation, there must be at least 5 players on the line of scrimmage numbered 50 through 79 (ie. “ineligible numbers”). This requirement must be met at the start of the game, and when the Head Coach certifies that all of his players are equipped according to rule he is certifying that he has sufficient players with ineligible numbers to commence the game with legal formations.

If, as a result of injuries or damage to jerseys during the game, teams cannot satisfy this requirement, the referee will allow a player with an eligible number to report as ineligible. The referee will inform the defence and the other officials that the player hasreported as ineligible. This player must be positioned as an interior lineman (ie. a lineman who is not an end). The player will remain ineligible unless and until he subsequently reports as eligible.

Under no circumstances will a player with an ineligible number be permitted to report as eligible. Players with ineligible numbers can play in any position, without reporting to the referee, but will remain ineligible players.

All teams must begin the game with only ineligible numbered players (50-79) playing on the offensive line. If, due to injury, eligible numbered players are required to play there, they must report in to the Referee (this does not mean a general substitution - only injury-caused changes are excepted). At no time may an ineligible numbered player play in an eligible position and go down field for a pass.

Chop Blocking

Over the first two weeks of the season a number of chop blocks have been seen and called during regular play. A chop block involves two blockers, anywhere on the field, with one blocking high and one blocking at the thigh or below. It is highly dangerous and often results in very serious injuries, which is why the rules have been tightened up on it this year.

Chop blocking is illegal at all times and in all situations. Flagrant offenses will lead to ejection of one or more parties. All coaches and clubs are required to review this rule and the understanding of it with all players prior to this weekend's games.

Horse collars

A horse collar tackle requires grasping of the neck/arm pad sections and immediate downward & backward pull. A pull down by the back of the shirt is not enough, even if it is immediate.

Chop Blocks

All chop blocking is illegal as of this year so any high/low combination block will be penalised.

Blocking low towards the landmark

Backs / receivers outside the normal Tackle position may not block below the waist back towards the original position of the ball. This happened a number of times on Saturday and was not penalised only due to limited contact being made. As this is a safety issue, be aware that this will be penalised critically from next week, even if contact is minimal - we will not wait until critical injury occurs!

Block in the back

A defender trying to get to the ball carrier may block through the back of an offensive player. This was complained about vigorously during the first game, but it is certainly not a new rule!

Taunting/baiting

Taunting and baiting are completely unacceptable and will be penalised immediately when seen or heard as Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Be aware that two such penalities attracts an automatic ejection.

Holding

Putting your hands up in the air and yelling "he's holding me" will not lead to a holding call as you have given up on the play and so the hold has no effect. Lateral movement will make any holding that is occurring much more obvious and so will be much more likely to be called.

Numbering

The rules and enforcement on player numbering has not changed from last year. Some latitude was given in week 1, but this will not be acceptable from next week. All teams must begin the game with only ineligible numbered players (50-79) playing on the offensive line. If, due to injury, eligible numbered players are required to play there, they must report in to the Referee / Umpire (this does not mean a general substitution - only injury-caused changes are excepted). At no time may an ineligible numbered player play in an eligible position and go down field for a pass.

Registering for 2008/2009

Use this link http://tinyurl.com/427bqv and choose to register under SAGOA.

Wes Neal

The members of the South Australian Gridiron Association and South Australian Gridiron Officials Association deeply mourn the passing of a founding member of gridiron in South Australia. Wes was a great friend to many and he led both organisations as President during his involvement with the league.
Wes you have left many memories with people and trained many officials to become better umpires in the sport of American Football. Your guidance, wisdom and teaching people the game of gridiron has been passed onto the next generation and is now being passed onto those that follow on from us. You joined us as a regular member and left your mark as a Hall of Fame Official.

Always a life member.

On behalf of Daryl Argent for SAGOA members, Dave Sedgwick for GASA members and Grant Martin for AGOA members we say thanks.

Wes Neal

It is with deep sympathy that after a long battle with cancer Wes Neal has passed away. He will be sadly missed by the South Australian Gridiron Officials Association as he was a valuable contributor to officiating here and all over Australia. Wes was a co-founder of the league in South Australia and served as President for a number of years. He officiated in the first game ever in SA at Norwood oval and was in charge from the start.
Wes we will all miss you and your wise ways to teach us the game that you enjoyed and led from the start.

Grant Martin
SAGOA Training Officer
AGOA CEO

Wes Neal
Started officiating in 1986 – first ever game in SA
Games officiated in South Australia – 304
Founder of the South Australian league in 1985
Founder of SAGOA in 1985
Referee for the 1996 Junior National Championship game
Supervisor of Officials – Australia v New Zealand 2001
Officiated at the 2003 Senior National Championships
Officiated in numerous interstate and Down Under Bowl games
Continued involvement until retiring from “on field” duties at the end of the 2003/04 season
Served as Supervisor of Officials for SAGOA
Served for many years on both the SAGOA & GASA Executive including 10 years as President of SAGOA
Played a leading role in the creation of AGOA in 1989 and is a past-Executive member
Served as SAGOA representative to AGOA
Served as GASA representative to GA
2006 AGOA Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductee

Helmet to Helmet

Last night there was a cry for a helmet to helmet contact with a ball carrier in a tackle. While much has been said and done about this area of the game the hit of helmet to helmet did not match the philosophy of the rule. This being the use of the crown of the helmet.
In the junior game last night the contact was by the face mask to the helmet and there was no use of the helmet in being a weapon to cause injury to the ball carrier, nor injury to be caused to the person tackling. This was just part of the game.

Grant Martin
SAGOA Training Officer

Updates 2008

Well the 2007/08 season is well behind us. It is time to look towards the next senior season as the SAGOA website is updated with information. Please take a look back at the old and check out as the new is placed on the site over the next few months.

The SAGOA calendar has been updated for the next few months for Juniors, GASA meetings, SAGOA AGM and a tentative date for SAGOA Senior training.

Again if you want to join us please email.