1 minute ago, 1959 said:

The first was a helmet to helmet launch. The second was by a kid a foot taller than the defender and he hit him with his chest. It looked more like a screen in basketball. They are not the same play. If you want to call them both illegal blindside blocks, okay.  

Agree on your assessment of the first one. Clearly sending a message. Looked like he was eyeing the kid all the way down the field. 

But the second...similar to a basketball screen? Is that really how you see that?

Just now, NKYRaider said:

OK, but is the Highlands play a blindside block? Did he or did he not posture over the player afterwards? Both are penalties, are they not? Is that a dirty play?  

The second hit you posted should’ve flagged.  He stood there, but in my opinion, he wasn’t flexing over someone. 
 

But come on, a hit like the first one? We had Ryle fans tell us “that’s not football” and Ryle coaches tell us “that hit was uncalled for.”  Ryle players were celebrating on the sidelines while that kid was still down, not moving. Your team came to play and deserve to be excited. But not while a kid was motionless on the ground. 
 

In all honestly, there was unruliness from both teams and fans. All parties involved should be embarrassed by actions and words said. 

2 minutes ago, BrosefStalin said:

Agree on your assessment of the first one. Clearly sending a message. Looked like he was eyeing the kid all the way down the field. 

But the second...similar to a basketball screen? Is that really how you see that?

I’m not saying it was identical. But he takes about two or 3 steps, squares up his feet, plants them and leads with his chest and arms. He didn’t drive through the kid. The first one had a running start and launched at the highlands players head. My point is they are not the same play. 

3 minutes ago, 859sports said:

Your opinion is valid, but I'm curious as to what is your opinion of the other play/hit with the flex standing over top. Is one worse?similar? completely different? 

Honestly, I only saw the hit at the end of the game in real time. It was nasty. Seeing the one earlier, it should’ve been a flag.  
 

 

5 minutes ago, 1959 said:

The first was a helmet to helmet launch. The second was by a kid a foot taller than the defender and he hit him with his chest. It looked more like a screen in basketball. They are not the same play. If you want to call them both illegal blindside blocks, okay.  

Not a helmet to helmet collision on the first hit. All shoulder and arms. Same as the second. 

Also, if you're going Kamikaze down the middle of a kickoff, you probably already know you're going to get hit. Highlands player was the closest defender to the ball and still very much in the play. 

3 minutes ago, NKYRaider said:

Not a helmet to helmet collision on the first hit. All shoulder and arms. Same as the second.

Ok

Both are Blind side block. For it not to be illegal the blocker has to come in with open hands in front of them. Or the defender needs to be able to see the block coming and defend himself. The second one was missed.

3 minutes ago, 1959 said:

Ok

It's ok for helmets to come into contact. His shoulder and arms deliver the initial blow. 

6 minutes ago, NKYRaider said:

Not a helmet to helmet collision on the first hit. All shoulder and arms.

That is my take too.  It looks like a clean hit to me. 

The second hit looks clean to me too.

I understand it is a judgment call on these but I don't see an issue with either hit and I will add those type of hits happened all the time back in the day.  

These hits have been illegal since 2018. I don't know how to get links on here but I googled NFHS blindside blocks and it explains why both are illegal. 

28 minutes ago, BrosefStalin said:

Agree on your assessment of the first one. Clearly sending a message. Looked like he was eyeing the kid all the way down the field. 

But the second...similar to a basketball screen? Is that really how you see that?

Really? You can draw the conclusion that he was "clearly sending a message" by blocking the closest defender to the ball? Who is he supposed to be looking at, the cheerleaders? 

4 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

These hits have been illegal since 2018. I don't know how to get links on here but I googled NFHS blindside blocks and it explains why both are illegal. 

Here is some of it from the NFHS:

The definition of a blindside block established by the committee is “a block against an opponent other than the runner, who does not see the blocker approaching,” and now results in a 15-yard penalty.

The committee stated that the blindside block “involves contact by a blocker against an opponent who, because of physical positioning and focus of concentration, is vulnerable to injury. Unless initiated with open hands, it is a foul for excessive and unnecessary contact when the block is forceful and outside of the free-blocking zone.”

The NFHS Football Rules Committee also expanded Rule 2-32-16 regarding a defenseless player by adding specific examples of a defenseless player. Those examples include, but are not limited to:

a)      A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass;

b)      A receiver attempting to catch a pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner;

c)      The intended receiver of a pass in the action during and immediately following an interception or potential interception;

d)      A runner already in the grasp of a tackler and whose forward progress has been stopped;

e)      A kickoff or punt returner attempting to catch or recover a kick, or one who has completed a catch or recovery and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a ball carrier;

f)       A player on the ground including a ball carrier who has obviously given himself up and is sliding feet-first;

g)      A player obviously out of the play or not in the immediate vicinity of the runner; and

h)      A player who received a blindside block with forceful contact not initiated with open hands.

https://www.nfhs.org/articles/new-blocking-kicking-rules-address-risk-minimization-in-high-school-football/

==================

Hopefully there is more, I am still not seeing it.

Neither defender saw the block coming, neither blocker led with open hands and both were with force.

Edited October 21, 20223 yr by Breds82
typo

I haven't read through all of this but here it is:

Blindside Blocks — A blindside block is an effective blocking technique. There is nothing improper in executing blindside blocks generally, and the rules do not preclude their use altogether. Instead, to enhance player safety and minimize the risk of injury, the rules prohibit a specific type of blindside block: one that is forceful, is not initiated with open hands and occurs outside the free-blocking zone.

A blindside block is a foul if: (1) the block occurs outside of the free-blocking zone; (2) the blocker does not initiate the block with open hands; and (3) the block is forceful. If all three of these factors are present, the blindside block is illegal.

Coaches should teach proper blindside blocking techniques, and game officials should evaluate whether a blindside block is legal, based on these three factors and the considerations below, as well as the underlying spirit and intent of the rules—to promote safety, eliminate illegal contact and minimize the risk of injury to players.

https://www.nmact.org/files/NFHS_FOOTBALL_POINTS_OF_EMPHASIS_2018.pdf