Classroom Discussion: The Box 101

[Reginald Rutledge]

"The Box" is the most villafied piece of equipment in miniature football. It is one of those random things, sort of "freak of nature". When you're rolling along down the field running and passing and you think you're conducting a symphony orchestra headed in on a 20 yard touchdown run, the defense shakes "The Box". For a delayed anticipation, it comes up 6 and 6 (major penalty) and a 5 on the team (offense) and the penalty comes up chop block. It can be one of the most devastating psychological effects that a person could have!

I have lost two DFW Championships when my great runner had made a turn around end on 85 and 65 yard touchdown runs only to be asked to "Shake that Thang"! The next thing I know, the momentary emotions of seeing that great runner go the distance was tempered by "Illegal Use of Hands" or "Holding on #77". In a given game, you can get about 3-5 penalties, 1-2 major injuries, and several minor injuries (nicks and bruises). With everything that works against you, your emotions are drained. And you're thinking, this is just a game!

So when everything is working against you, the one thing you don't want to do is help the "misery" along. Rule #1, you only shake the box or have the ref shake the box, when something works against you! If you picked up 3 yards and it comes up 2nd down, or throw a pass for 10 yards, or run 60 yards, you would be well-advised to air on caution and just hurry up and start setting up for the next play.

If a team gets a sack on you, intercepts a pass, or makes you fumble, that may be your key to shake the box! If it is a 3rd and 9 and you are not in field goal range, but he gets 7 on the play, it may not be in your interest to shake the box. He still has to punt and you have minimized the damage.

So when you play using "The Box", it can giveth and taketh away. But the one thing it will always be is "indiscriminatory".

Reg