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College Football/stripping the ball

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Expert: - 8/31/2010


Question
if the ball carrier's legs are wrapped, he can't move, but is still standing, should i just take/strip the ball from him or should i bring him down

Answer
Andrew
This is a very good thought provoking question.  The answer is not clear cut as it depends on 2 things: first the philosophy of your coach and second whether the runner's forward progress is stopped.  If the forward progress is stopped then the play is dead by rule and the ball carrier is deemed down so you would not be able to strip or take the ball from him.

As for whether to tackle the runner or strip the ball from him turns on on what your coach wants.  Frankly there are coaches that reach striping the ball on every play and some coaches teach techniques to strip first before tackling.  There are other coaches who teach wrap and tackle and take the runner down, if he is wrapped and you are the second defender to the ball carrier your job is to complete the tackle. I am from a school of thought that the first defender is to wrap and tackle and the second defender is to try to strip the ball while assisting on the tackle.  So as you can see there are different schools of thought.  The correct way is the way your coach wants you to do it, as that fits into his style of play calling and his game plan.

If you were a coach asking this question I would suggest you teach stripping the ball as a secondary technique.

The first part of the answer deals with whether the runner's forward progress is stopped.  Clearly if the runner's progress is stopped you cannot take him down or take away the ball as you would be at risk for a dead ball penalty [personal foul, unnecessary roughness, defensive delay of game, etc].  So make sure you know if the ball is dead or alive when you come in as the secondary tackler.  If it is a live ball and the runner is not down by rule then it is legal to strip the ball.

You play situation is one that has to be seen to give you the best advise.  I recommend you meet with your coach for about 5 minutes off the field and discuss it with him.  This will give you some face time with him that can only benefit you.
Best of luck,
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Officials

College Football

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Vic Winnek

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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. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

Experience

24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, 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; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

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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

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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

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BA USC 1987
JD UWLA School of Law 1996
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NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

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