Ok, I have been quiet about this for long enough. Now I think it's something that really really needs to be brought up and this is not a hit on any particular team what so ever. This is simply what I believe needs to really be a focus point on refs and coaches.


So these last 2 years I have notice a lot of this. I don't know if it's because we have big Linemen and Big RBs, but either way it has been happening and even in some instances coached into the kids a lot.


First, I would like to identify what I'm talking about. LB's diving into my lead blockers Knees and hitting them with their helmets to clog a hole or try to keep them from wanting to block, or trying to hurt them intentionally. Also, Defensive linemen cut blocking our linemen by giving ground then lowering hips and diving into their knees.

Secondly, I would like to explain the rule as it was explained to me by the by an Official and not any that I have had this year. "In order to be eligible to block below the waist you have to be on the line of scrimmage AT the snap of the ball and when the ball is snapped is when you have to make contact, if you are a defensive player then you can not give ground then superman forward into legs" "Linebackers are not eligible to dive into lead blockers legs no matter where they do it at because they are not on the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball" "If they are going head first into knees every time the lead blocker comes their way, then yes it can be called an unsportsmanlike penalty"

Lastly, I will give my thoughts. Ok, so I can't really find anything in the Handbook that makes me comfortable saying rather this is legal or not legal except you have to be in the snap zone of the ball and on the line of scrimmage to be eligible which means LBs are not. Now here is the deal, if you do actually coach a kid to run as fast as he can and dive with his helmet into another kids knees to try and "clog a hole" or "take a kid out" then your a piece of ****. You need to reflect on who the hell you are as a person because I swear to god if someone does that to my kids and they get hurt and I know it's intentionally I will take the backpack off and whip the **** out of you. I don't care who you are because of you can do that then your a chicken **** anyways. Coach the damn kids on how to scrape a block and make a break down tackle. Coaches have to step up and coach technique not aggressive dangerous behavior. I have a very physical team and I promise you it's not because my kids play shady football, they play physical and by the rules and if they do something by the rules but it's still potentially dangerous in my eyes then I assure you we talk to them about adjusting so no one gets hurt but the outcome is still the same. The last thing any coach or parent should want is anyone to get hurt and especially from shady coaching. My kids love football, so please allow hem to keep playing and reflect on what you teach.


I do want to say, the Grove coaches are out sanding coaches and they do a great job at coaching their boys up for a game. Although this did happen last night I do not believe at all they coaches it, I think the LB was doing what he does best and just trying to win. I know him and his dad and they are great people. Now this does have to do with previous games from the last 2 years but no team in particular. Keep it clean or one day the mimicking will begin and the tables will turn.


#SAVETHEKNEES

Because once your Lead Blockers knees get hit a few times then they stop lead blocking and if they carry the ball then they don't want to run. Helmets to Knees are not good no matter the case. Also, if they do it and the RB is directly behind the Lead Blocker then the lead Blocker gets folded into the RB causing him to pause. Trust me it's a big advantage for the defense, but if it continues then kids will start losing the opportunity to play any sport. Also, it is taught and it's also taught with technique on how to do it I assure you that.

You don't teach in open field, you teach to clog a hole and then blitz from the edge because you know the ball will get bounced out. The point is though, you simply don't teach it, it's dangerous and no matter the outcome of the play rather you get "stuffed" or score a TD you most likely have a RB grabbing his knees on that play because a helmet just got speared into them.

Lots to digest here.

Grove coaches do not coach dirty tactics. They teach up to date fundamentals for tackling and blocking. I have attended pretty much every practice since 3rd grade. I can say without hesitation the coaches have never once taught "cut" blocking or for LBs to take out lead blockers at the knee.

I have to concede that if our players were continually cut at the knees I would be upset also. This just goes for blockers or D lineman, non-ball carriers. If a ball carrier is getting tackled at the waist/knee area... that's just football. For better or worse, the heads up program, and focus on head safety, has limited the players to lowering their target for tackling and blocking.

Even the "hawk" tackling technique, (seattle seahawks technique on tackling) teaches players to put the head behind the ball carrier then wrap up and roll. This is great for head safety, but if you've watched enough football at all levels, it really puts players knees and ankles at risk. The tackler is rolling his full body weight on the back of the ball carriers legs.

Specifically for the game last night, I didn't notice blockers or D lineman getting cut. I did notice ball carriers getting wrapped up or hit low, frequently. I have to say, your running backs, #16 and #10 were big strong fast hard runners, and I dont think that tackling them high would of been a good decision for most of our kids. Not something that was coached or taught. Just something that athletes naturally adjust too.

This is a conversation that I am sure is taking place all over america.

Those things being said.

Hospitality and atmosphere last night was second to none. I hope everyone got pictures of the players on the field in the stadium with that gorgeous sky in the back ground.

Catoosa great hosts. Good Ref-ing (never said that before). Great football last night.

@whodat15

It was most definitely a good game and the atmosphere was great, the board did a good job of hosting for sure. This isn't about the Grove Coaches or Players. It's this simple, before the game started this subject has been brought up days before even going into this game and it had nothing to do with what we saw on film or anything, but when our RB is having problems walking at half time and I start watching to see what's going on and then I see and point it out to the Ref and he contradicts the interpretation of the rule from what I have been told then it's an issue. This issue has nothing to do with the game. It has to do with the fact that there are teams who coach this and that the refs interpret the rule differently across the board. Grove played a great game and it was a great game to be a part of and I don't want to take anything from that or the Grove team. I just want this to start getting watched more closely because I know kids have already been sent to the hospital for it even as of last week.

I do agree that there was some good low level tackling last night, that is what we teach as well so I have no problem at all there. Good Luck the rest of Playoffs!