🏈 The sideline warning and flag from Saturday.

[TerryP]

Back in the summer when it was announced that the officials were going to put more focus on the sideline warnings I interpreted that to mean they were concerned about coaches and how far some tend to move out on the field during the game.

That made sense. Still does. But, that wasn't the reason the Tide received the warning and later penalty.

When Saban asked the side judge Saturday about the call he was told that the players were the ones being flagged, not the coaches. As it ends up, when the play(s) were close to being over the substitutes were coming onto the field too quickly.

I'd have never thought about the rule in those terms. Sort of funny, really. It's a case of being too ready for the next play...

 

[BamaFan334]

I guess I took the whole thing to be intended for coaches as well, as a way to keep the refs from getting yelled at and tied up too long as they could escape by a flag or upfield where the coaches can't go by the measure. I was very unpleased about the call during the game, but basically gave it no thought after the next play. Never would have guessed they nail the player's like that, pretty tacky if you ask me. Isn't excitement and fun what this entire thing is supposed to be about?

 

[TUSKtimes]

Back in the summer when it was announced that the officials were going to put more focus on the sideline warnings I interpreted that to mean they were concerned about coaches and how far some tend to move out on the field during the game.

That made sense. Still does. But, that wasn't the reason the Tide received the warning and later penalty.

When Saban asked the side judge Saturday about the call he was told that the players were the ones being flagged, not the coaches. As it ends up, when the play(s) were close to being over the substitutes were coming onto the field too quickly.

I'd have never thought about the rule in those terms. Sort of funny, really. It's a case of being too ready for the next play...

When coach Saban was asking for an explanation the ref went into great detail. It was after that that Saban turned back and started to scream at his coaches/players to get back. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Bama has gotten so good at subbing defensive players during other teams hurry up I could see them being in a habit of trying to get in quick. But Bama was on offense when we got flagged. Very confusing.

 

[252BAMA]

Probably the Special Teams extra point unit going on the field. As soon as Hurts threw the ball they knew it was a TD. It was until Marshall grabbed Ridley

 

[Bamabww]

nless the people on the sidelines interfere with the game, I think the sideline penalty is a dumbass penalty

 

[50+yeartidefan]

nless the people on the sidelines interfere with the game, I think the sideline penalty is a dumbass penalty

Right.....justlike the stupid penalty of 12 on field when one is 3 yards from getting off field and absolutely not involved in play....
There is "absolute " and "almost absolute ".... whether scientists like it or not

 

[TUSKtimes]

So how does that penalty work? The play it was called on had Ridley being held by Thomas as he was about to go deep for a TD. If that had happened and Ridley scores, how do they enforce the sideline penalty?

 

[sean]

Right.....justlike the stupid penalty of 12 on field when one is 3 yards from getting off field and absolutely not involved in play....
There is "absolute " and "almost absolute ".... whether scientists like it or not

i was about to post pretty much the same thing. i think it's idiotic to throw that flag when it's obvious the player is coming off the field.

 

[UAgrad93]

Dumb penalty indeed!! Back when I was coaching HS, we were in a game that this penalty ultimately decided the game. We had just given up the lead really late in the game, 2 minutes left, when we returned the kickoff back to inside the 5 yard line. We run a play down to the 1, and are facing 2nd and goal with the clock running. We run a play and score, but a flag flies from the side official on our sideline. The white hat signals a sideline warning and marks off the penalty. When our HC asked who was it on, he pointed to our DC who was standing down at the opposite end of the players box. He was straddling the sideline at the 25 yd line 70+ yards AWAY!!!! Our HC went ballistic!! Got flagged another 15 and ultimately lost the game!!

 

[TerryP]

i was about to post pretty much the same thing. i think it's idiotic to throw that flag when it's obvious the player is coming off the field.

It's 12 in the huddle called the majority of the time, right?

 

[rammerjammer]

I agree it is a stupid penalty this day and age of the HUNH. I'm ready for the NCAA to go to the 1 yard rule like the NFL. That would all but cure the RPO and the HUNH.

 

[sean]

It's 12 in the huddle called the majority of the time, right?

either that or "too many men n the field".

which is technically correct, but that 12th person is obviously coming off and has no bearing on the play.

 

[TerryP]

either that or "too many men n the field".

which is technically correct, but that 12th person is obviously coming off and has no bearing on the play.

If it's a 12th guy on defense I'd agree with you. If it's a 12th guy running off at the last minute on offense? That's a different situation, in my eyes. That last WR could pull a DB out of position if he's thinking the WR is lining up wide...in today's "quick snap" world that could create a problem.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

If it's a 12th guy on defense I'd agree with you. If it's a 12th guy running off at the last minute on offense? That's a different situation, in my eyes. That last WR could pull a DB out of position if he's thinking the WR is lining up wide...in today's "quick snap" world that could create a problem.

Then call The penalty....no problem..
If its 12 in the huddle...call the penalty...
But if its a player that has been sub'd for gassed and trying to get to the sideline and not involved in the play and with no deception....no harm..no foul...
And have seen it called many times especially late in games vs HUNH

 

[UAgrad93]

Then call The penalty....no problem..
If its 12 in the huddle...call the penalty...
But if its a player that has been sub'd for gassed and trying to get to the sideline and not involved in the play and with no deception....no harm..no foul...
And have seen it called many times especially late in games vs HUNH

Go back and watch the '15 Iron Bowl. The Barn gets called for 12 on the field and Saban is in the ref's ear. The guy is seen coming off the field at the snap, but then tries to fall back into the play and make the tackle. It should have been illegal participation and a 15 yard penalty, instead of simply illegal substitution.



at the 1:41:38 mark

 

[sean]

If it's a 12th guy on defense I'd agree with you. If it's a 12th guy running off at the last minute on offense? That's a different situation, in my eyes. That last WR could pull a DB out of position if he's thinking the WR is lining up wide...in today's "quick snap" world that could create a problem.

yeah i can see that. but if he's coming off the field while the other 11 are still in the huddle, and the huddle breaks and he's almost off the field, they throw that flag. you can see that the guy is coming off the field so i don't see the reason for throwing the flag at that time.

but if he's in the huddle and they all break together and THEN he comes off the field, yeah, throw the flag.

and yes, with all the hurry up offenses that are run it would be more difficult. but the refs have to contend with that anyway and make sure no one is lined up off-sides or not enough or too many men on the LOS. all within a matter of a couple seconds.

 

[TerryP]

The guy is seen coming off the field at the snap, but then tries to fall back into the play and make the tackle

but if he's in the huddle and they all break together and THEN he comes off the field, yeah, throw the flag.

@50+yeartidefan

They are touching on my thoughts here...if an opposing coordinator wants to push the envelope (much like illegal man downfield) they could, easily.

Imagine an OC calling a play and seeing five defensive backs on the field (thinking nickel coverage) and they switch to a 43 look?

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Go back and watch the '15 Iron Bowl. The Barn gets called for 12 on the field and Saban is in the ref's ear. The guy is seen coming off the field at the snap, but then tries to fall back into the play and make the tackle. It should have been illegal participation and a 15 yard penalty, instead of simply illegal substitution.



at the 1:41:38 mark

Absolutely