Where can a coach get a copy of the high school rule book? I had a couple of issues last year that I think could be resolved if I have the book in hand to review and have as proof.

http://www.nfhs.com/index.asp?cmd=showcategory&param_0=64

Thanks HHSDad. I knew I had seen that somewhere, but couldn't find it again.

Had some issues with the Free Blocking Zone, motion, and "trick plays." I know I was right, but 2 crews last year refused to cooperate with us, and threw a lot of flags. I tried explaining it to them, and I figure they can't argue with a hard copy of the rules in my back pocket.

^ I wish the ref's would carry one in their back pockets!!!!

You might want to buy a couple extras to giive to refs when the make a bad call.

I threw one at a ref one time.. He wasn't very amused....

Had some issues with the Free Blocking Zone, motion, and "trick plays." I know I was right, but 2 crews last year refused to cooperate with us, and threw a lot of flags. I tried explaining it to them, and I figure they can't argue with a hard copy of the rules in my back pocket.

 

Let us all in on these issues, we might of had the same problem?

let us all in on these issues, we might of had the same problem?

 

The Free Blocking Zone issue is due to me running a true Double Wing system. It usually won't apply to other offenses, because the splits are too wide. But in the double wing, we get foot to foot. This creates a Free Blocking Zone (FBZ) that is within the 4 yard "box". This means our TEs can legally perform a cut block on a defensive tackle. I always talk to the refs before the game, but this year I had a crew that was convinced it was illegal, and flagged us for it about 3 times on 1 drive. In most offenses, the TE is just too far out to allow it to be a legal block.

 

The motion issue was comical. Our cadence is "down, ready, set, go." We start our motions on SET. This ref claimed that it was illegal to have a motion (keep in mind it was either going in an arc backwards, or straight behind the FB) that late in the cadence. We had to delay longer, which in turn would throw off all our timing. He wanted us to really OVER exaggerate our motions...crazy. A different crew the following week laughed at it while I was explaining it and said, "as long as no one is going forward and only one is moving you're fine...you can go in motion without any cadence." Of course I knew this, but it was pretty aggrevating.

 

The trick play stuff was just to check a few things to put some silly extra point stuff in. We played around with some "Lonesome Polecat" looking stuff and the kids loved it, so I just want to continue expanding it further, within the rules.

I threw one at a ref one time.. He wasn't very amused....

:laugh:

 

I wish you had that on tape!!! That is hillarious. I wouldn't recommend it, and most will frown on it, but I'm sure you look back on that little outburst and laugh. All coaches have done things we shouldn't have out of aggrevation, so I'm not trying to be holier than thou.

 

Truth be told, I once challenged a ref to throw the flag on me for getting on his tail so hard, with the justification of, "At least you'll get one right tonight." Not my proudest moment, but I can look back on it and sheepishly laugh now, because it was totally out of my normal character on the sidelines (I'm usually very quiet, for a coach, and don't complain)...oh yeah, he didn't throw it. My staff said it looked like it freaked him out, and he wouldn't even look at me after that.:lol:

On three separate occassions I tried to get the officials to explain a call to me while I had the rule book in hand. In all three cases, the refs (3 different ones) stated they don't have time to review every call from the rule book and one stated it isn't his responsibility to teach me the rules. I just wanted a rules clarification according to the wording in the book.

 

P.S.--Dont ask for a grid of the field for who is responsible for making the call, because they always tell me it's not my call.

I threw one at a ref one time.. He wasn't very amused....

I asked a ref once if the rule book was available on audio books, because he obviously couldn't read. That resulted in a 15 yd penalty.

The Free Blocking Zone issue is due to me running a true Double Wing system. It usually won't apply to other offenses, because the splits are too wide. But in the double wing, we get foot to foot. This creates a Free Blocking Zone (FBZ) that is within the 4 yard "box". This means our TEs can legally perform a cut block on a defensive tackle. I always talk to the refs before the game, but this year I had a crew that was convinced it was illegal, and flagged us for it about 3 times on 1 drive. In most offenses, the TE is just too far out to allow it to be a legal block.

 

The motion issue was comical. Our cadence is "down, ready, set, go." We start our motions on SET. This ref claimed that it was illegal to have a motion (keep in mind it was either going in an arc backwards, or straight behind the FB) that late in the cadence. We had to delay longer, which in turn would throw off all our timing. He wanted us to really OVER exaggerate our motions...crazy. A different crew the following week laughed at it while I was explaining it and said, "as long as no one is going forward and only one is moving you're fine...you can go in motion without any cadence." Of course I knew this, but it was pretty aggrevating.

 

The trick play stuff was just to check a few things to put some silly extra point stuff in. We played around with some "Lonesome Polecat" looking stuff and the kids loved it, so I just want to continue expanding it further, within the rules.

I wish you luck with the FBZ, it is by far the most misunderstood rule in the game, and many officials can't get it right. The most inconsistently interpreted rule.

 

The motion thing is just comical. Some teams go in motion on the first hike, with the intention of drawing the defense offsides.

Books on tape!!! Another classic!!! Thanks Ram. Don't worry, I'm thinking of photocopying the section, highlighting my main points, and I'll even let them step off my offensive line in pregame just to prove a point. We double wingers are masters of the FBZ interpretation...it is literally gone over at every meeting/clinic I've been to.

Books on tape!!! Another classic!!! Thanks Ram. Don't worry, I'm thinking of photocopying the section, highlighting my main points, and I'll even let them step off my offensive line in pregame just to prove a point. We double wingers are masters of the FBZ interpretation...it is literally gone over at every meeting/clinic I've been to.

I really like the double wing, and even considered running it with my JFL team, I looked at it really hard. I am a wish bone guy myself, so I really have a deep respect for the double wing - the philosophy and the history. Good luck, I hope you have a great season, and the refs understand.