I will start this in the college football thread but this topic applies to all levels of football.

More and more we see players run out of bounds versus trying to get extra yards. I understand trying to take fewer hits, especially QB's. But I have seen far too many times, including multiple times this weekend, a player runs out of bounds one yard short of a first down in key moments in a game. I believe Plummer did this in the game against FSU and it led to a field goal instead of a better shot at a TD. 

Thoughts? If you are a coach are you emphasizing to players to get the first down even if you take a hit? 

You just saw a 13-0 team left out of the playoffs allegedly due to their QB getting hurt while fighting for extra yards. I can’t imagine that’s going to encourage coaches to not emphasize not taking the hit. 

14 minutes ago, DragonFire said:

You just saw a 13-0 team left out of the playoffs allegedly due to their QB getting hurt while fighting for extra yards. I can’t imagine that’s going to encourage coaches to not emphasize not taking the hit. 

Good point. 

But the ones I am talking about are all easy take one more step and you have the first down. They could even still run out of bounds but just take one more step and they have the first down.

22 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Good point. 

But the ones I am talking about are all easy take one more step and you have the first down. They could even still run out of bounds but just take one more step and they have the first down.

I’d say the issue there is usually that players brains are wired that if you give them a subjective option - gain more yards if you think you can get there/avoid taking a hit - they’ll usually make the wrong choice and try for more. They do better with hard and fast rules - do this, not that. 

On 12/3/2023 at 4:13 PM, Voice of Reason said:

Good point. 

But the ones I am talking about are all easy take one more step and you have the first down. They could even still run out of bounds but just take one more step and they have the first down.

These guys are all in school 5-7 years. Take at least one introductory math course so you can add or subtract to get that extra yard lol.

Franco Harris had a pretty good career running out of bounds.

 

 

I am ok running out of bounds. What I question is players running out of bounds a yard short of getting the first down.