https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27282277/nfl-officials-emphasize-offensive-holding-19
So how many weeks until the NFL ditches this new “point of emphasis” after the league and fans freak out, like they did last pre-season?
NFL officials to emphasize offensive holding in '19
- Thread starter soxhop411
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So how many weeks until the NFL ditches this new “point of emphasis” after the league and fans freak out, like they did last pre-season?
Wow... the way the league has called offensive holding in the past I would have thought it was already a point of emphasis. Can’t imagine where this will go. There’s offensive holding on every friggin play.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the nature of the conduct that gives rise to the "could call offensive holding on every play!" trope is usually about fine judgments as to where the lineman is holding his opponent (centrally vs radially) and when he lets go (while in front or at least parallel, as opposed to clinging when he's past you). The conduct we're talking about here sound like it's a more cynical and blatant choice, where they're exploiting the fact that holding isn't supposed to be called when it's occurring "away from the play" to basically bear hug the defenders.
Or the other way around
When they clamp down on defensive holding I will think of that
I think he has it right. If offensive holding is called more frequently on the backside of running plays then that increases the value of throwing the ball. This looks like a solution that is in search of a problem or it’s another way for the NFL to incentivize teams to pass more. The NFL generally is stupid so I’ll concede that their motivation here could really be either in this instance.
The new rule on blind-side blocks will have a much bigger effect in this regard than the emphasis on calling obvious offensive holding away from the point of attack.
https://www.colts.com/news/look-for-these-new-rules-points-of-emphasis-from-nfl-officials-in-2019
If this is enforced as written, I’m not sure how you can block on an outside run. If, in practice, they only flag “crackback” blocks where the player isn’t hit in the head, then obviously it will have much less impact, as players are already taught to avoid making those blocks.
Are the fucking idiots who make up the competition committee ever going to give the game a year or two to just breath? No new rules. They're simply ruining the product for the early season every year now, until they inevitably have to back off of these ridiculous rule changes in the second half/playoffs. All in the name of somehow thinking they can make an inherently unsafe activity, safe. Unless you outlaw blocking and tackling, you cannot make football safe. I applauded their initial efforts to clean up the game around the margins, by eliminating flagrant, targeting/helmet to helmet hits. I think mandatory recovery times for concussions should be longer than they are now. Keep working to improve equipment technology. But at some point soon, it's getting to be shit or get off the pot time with football. It's a dangerous sport. Be fully transparent about the risks, and then let the participant, and viewer, proceed at their own caution.
If you are interested in NFL officiating issues, Terry McAulay is a good follow on twitter. His top 5 officiating storylines for this season were:
NFL Officiating Story Line #5: The catch rule: Yes, there are still issues. The league reversed far too many catches in 2017 to incomplete passes based on a very technical interpretation of “control”.
NFL Officiating Story Line #4 Offensive Holding: There is a strong emphasis on penalizing backside holding and a technique known as a lobster block where the blocker initially engages around the back of the opponent.
NFL Officiating Story Line #3 Illegal Use of Helmet Foul: Will on field officials consistently and accurately penalize the illegal use of helmet foul?
NFL Officiating Story Line #2 Blindside Block: How broadly will the new blindside block rule be implemented? Like the helmet rule, we understand there are specific plays that must be eliminated, mostly on punts and interceptions.
NFL Officiating Story Line #1 Pass Interference Replay Review: How intrusive will pass interference reviews become and how technically will it be judged using slow motion HD replay?
#3 has been basically forgotten about because the officiating department decided to not call the foul last year after the hysteria of the preseason. So far the guidance this year is different.
People are going to whine a LOT about the blindside block being eliminated. This is a new rule for college this year as well, and will virtually eliminate the de-cleater at that level. The rule is pretty simple: If a player can't see you, you can't hit him forcibly. Forcible is up to the official to decide. You are explicitly allowed to block with extended arms / open hands and you are allowed to stand in his way like a pick in basketball.
NFL Officiating Story Line #5: The catch rule: Yes, there are still issues. The league reversed far too many catches in 2017 to incomplete passes based on a very technical interpretation of “control”.
NFL Officiating Story Line #4 Offensive Holding: There is a strong emphasis on penalizing backside holding and a technique known as a lobster block where the blocker initially engages around the back of the opponent.
NFL Officiating Story Line #3 Illegal Use of Helmet Foul: Will on field officials consistently and accurately penalize the illegal use of helmet foul?
NFL Officiating Story Line #2 Blindside Block: How broadly will the new blindside block rule be implemented? Like the helmet rule, we understand there are specific plays that must be eliminated, mostly on punts and interceptions.
NFL Officiating Story Line #1 Pass Interference Replay Review: How intrusive will pass interference reviews become and how technically will it be judged using slow motion HD replay?
#3 has been basically forgotten about because the officiating department decided to not call the foul last year after the hysteria of the preseason. So far the guidance this year is different.
People are going to whine a LOT about the blindside block being eliminated. This is a new rule for college this year as well, and will virtually eliminate the de-cleater at that level. The rule is pretty simple: If a player can't see you, you can't hit him forcibly. Forcible is up to the official to decide. You are explicitly allowed to block with extended arms / open hands and you are allowed to stand in his way like a pick in basketball.
Speaking of blindside blocks:
View: https://twitter.com/nflofficiating/status/1162919845605851136?s=21
I disagree with their interpretation of “forcible”....and blindside for that matter
View: https://twitter.com/nflofficiating/status/1162919845605851136?s=21
I disagree with their interpretation of “forcible”....and blindside for that matter