AboutVic Winnek Expertise Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. History of the College football game -its evolution. I will not answer what position one should play or what will make you better. These questions require personal knowledge of your abilities and skills and should be answered by your coach. I will no longer answer questions about eligibility due to some inconsiderate individuals.
Experience 22 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 22 years of instruction in Officiating Football
Organizations Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee
Publications Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review
Education/Credentials BA USC 1987
JD UWLA School of Law 1996
3 Years Reno Football Officials Clinic
4 Years UCLA Football Officials Camp
Big 12 Mini Clinic
NFL Grass Roots Clinic
Awards and Honors 6 Bowl games, NCAA Div. 1-AA & Div. III play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,5,8,9,12 Final, 5 years CIF Semi-finals, 15 years of CIF play-offs
Question Here is an interesting one. This came up in the New Zealand vs Australia Junior Test match prior to the JWC that is currently on in Canton, Ohio. This happened right in front of me, I was at Back Judge for the match. I'm just wondering what the right call is.
Dead ball Taunting with Physical Contact.
A team A RB made quite a good run down field, he was tackled and brought to the ground A few yards in front of me. He is laying on his back with the ball as the tackler gets off him, he stands over him and proceeds to grab him by the facemask. I'm not sure if anything was said, but the action alone is an obvious taunt.
What should be called?
Is it:
a) A dead ball Facemask - 15 yards
b) An Unsportsmanlike act - 15 yards and a 'strike' against the player towards an ejection.
c) A flagrant Personal Foul and instant ejection.
Answer Hi Jared
Thanks for the question. Good Job for being on top of this type of action. Good deadball officiating. A good back judge is a Great dead ball official. I want to make sure I understand your question: I assume it was the B player (Tackler) who stood over the A player then grabbed the A player by the facemask.
Was the face mask grabbed then twisted, pulled, turned or tugged? If so then the elements required for a Facemask foul are there an the foul should be a Dead Ball Personal Foul for Facemaking - that is a player safety issue and not considered a taunt for UNS [Unsportsmanlike]
If the B player stood over the A player and grabs the facemask of the A player as to hold the A player in place or to show an act of dominance over the A player or as you say as a Taunt, but did not twist pull or turn the facemask/helmet then it would likely be a dead ball Unsportsmanlike conduct foul.
I need a little more information or to see exactly what you describe. Based on your description it does not sound as though it rises to the level to warrant an ejection for a flagrant foul unless the grabbing of the facemask was so extreme as to put the A player in immediate harm of catastrophic injury.
A good official tries to keep players from being ejected when possible by preventative officiating, quickly defusing Unsportsmanlike events by talking to players or making your presence known on the field at that time or by going with a personal foul if possible.
