Offside, what is the advantage ?

[Rock Solid]

Last night I witnessed a game that was laced with offside penalties.
My friend Coach Karim has a seemingly incurable affliction of continual offside.
I have discussed this with him for three years now and I am so curious to know why it is still occurring so frequently.

My point:

What is the advantage to keeping the men so tight on the line of scrimmage that they get called for penalties? I believe that there is somehow a belief that if this is not done the opposing team will gain an advantage somehow.
The risk of doing this repeatedly almost cost his team the game but will cost him in the championship game of the BAM.
When you get a reputation for being offside that is the first thing that is looked at by the official. It is common sense, that is what would be looked at if it happens so frequently.
The ref has to call the penalty because on the other side of the line, offside DOES give an advantage to the team that is offside.
The irony is that being continually offside gives the other team ADVANTAGE by knowing that there will be free plays during the game. It is like giving the game away for some thought that by lining up a little off the line of scrimmage will make all the difference in the game.

My question to the coaching community.

What advice to you give a coach like this so that he understands.

This type of play disrupts the game flow, annoys the official, the opposing coach and is VERY VERY FRUSTRATING to the coach who is being called for the penalty.

It would appear that the coach is being singled out.
That is because he is.

I know that certain Giants are always called for holding. Now to tell me that the officials don't talk, and know who to watch would be foolish. Certain guys are singled out for trying to get away with stuff that they are good at getting away with.
This is not exactly the same but it is similar.
In the BAM, as opposed to the NHFL where I play, there NEEDS to be an official for the game to even go on. If the guy is going to be a ref, he has to do his job. That job is not easy, as what I witnessed Artlax doing last night. It was almost like a third coach, coaching the rhythm of the game and keeping it flowing. It is not easy to call penalties on friends especially in crucial games. ( I know some will say "what games are not crucial")

So try to answer this one with some good advice for a coach with a vice.

Offside rap gives your opponent a distinct advantage in my opinion.

RS

[Reginald Rutledge]

and even still, after many years in the league, he still gets about two or three per game. Coaches don't like to call that on the opposition but if you allow them to continue to do it, they abuse that privilege and that is truly not within the rules of fairplay.

The only thing I would say is before the start of the game, call both teams to midfield and explain to them what will be looked at and called. You could allow both teams one warning but after that, the penalties must be called.

If Karim would have lost because of constant illegal procedure or offside penalties, that's his fault. By the time you reach our age, you've got to know Football 101 and no one should have to tell you the basic rules of football like what is considered infractions of these varieties.

Sometimes, teams do lose because of undiscipline penalties such as what you talk about. Karim just needs to practice lining up onside before game time takes place. Seek advice on the best way to stay lined up and simply practice it. Because I can tell you, it will play a huge factor. This is that part of the game where discipline does come into to play and I have seen big games lost because of the coaches brain farts.

But as an official, you've got to call it as you see. You may even want to give him a call and tell him he needs to watch his line progression.

Reg

RS,

This has been a point of contention this season. We all at some time make the mistake of lining up off side. I just happens especially when you are on the clock.

The answer to this at least for the BAM is for the referee to make the call. This is something we are going to address for next year. Especially since it has been an issue for some coaches doing this regularly.

What we are going to do is institute the "grinding rule". This will address a coach that continues to viotate basic setup rules. Such as off sides, setting up the quarterback beyond 15 yards, 7 men on the line of scrimmage...etc. How this is to be implemented is yet to be decided.

Wally

p.s. No Giant player ever holds... we know that

[Coach K-LO]

... the the coach that has a problem with lining up in the neutral zone has to be accountable for himself and his team.

being disipline in this case is to always lineup your players 1 full yd off the ball .... and practice this daily everytime they get on the field.

I think we all need to practice this as a regular basis...........

[NATIONAL]

I agree with all, but you have to be aware. Some guys line up from the back of the play.....there's no way to see your LOS. Line up from the side. Know who you want in the game, constantly count your players as your lining up.

Coaches tend to line their loopers tight more than any other player.

All you can do is throw the flag. If a coach can win with double digits penalties against them, that's impressive. Throw the flag and keep it moving.

Nat'l

[Reginald Rutledge]

Some guys see the game from the back and some from the side view. I am a side view player so I usually would line up based on how the game is looked at on TV.

That is such a key point in this because it is not common that a sideline player gets those types of calls. He further points out to manage your players and do a headcount. These are all vital to being efficient. If you lose or win and you know that this is being call, that's on you!

Reg