Personal Foul Policy

I think a policy can be a good thing, but one has to be careful. Football is an emotional game, and we want it that way! When it is all said and done, personal foul penalties will happen. The question is, how are they happening. If a kid gets flagged for fighting that's obviously different than if he happens to say the "S" word as he's near the official after fumbling a ball. Basically, I see three types of personal fouls.

1) Emotional--in the heat of the moment type of stuff similar to above.

2) "Punk Penalties"--this is the BS that might upset me more than anything...lipping off to an opponent, official, or spectator, throwing the ball at an opponent, spitting, etc.

3) Fighting--no excuse, I can see a shove...maybe, but anything past that--one has to control themselves better.

I feel I can deal with the occasional emotional penalty. It shows me the players care. The others are bushleague. If you do make a policy, I think it has very clear of your expectations and that you will make the final determination--it is your neck on the line. On the subject of penalties, I think the penalties have to be more than running. It has to involve playing time. I have never thought that running as a penalty worked very well past that moment. If you have some guys jacking around in practice, maybe it will get their attention, but I don't think it is something that will stick with them long-term. Sit kids down, pull them out of the game, take thier helmet. Also, make them stand up and apologize to thier team if they screwed up badly. Take this worth a grain of salt, but that's my take on it. No matter what you decide to do, in the end, none of it will work if your coaching staff is not 100% on board.

If the player is RESPONSIBLE FOR STARTING THE SITUATION, he is made to run after practice for a full week AND clean the locker room! If he is caught RETALIATING (which he always is) he not only runs for a week but was made to write a paper on STAYING UNDER CONTROL AT ALL TIMES.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

I don't think it's preachy, coach--you should be applauded. I think coaches have to be proactive. Lets face it, there are too many kids that don't have any structure around them outside of football. If we're always trying to punish after the fact, we're missing the bigger picture of trying to not have those behaviors escalate in the first place, which some are not learning at home.

I know. I just get a little long winded or long in the keystrokes some times.

My point was that on message boards a lot of times people post things and make it sound like it is just that easy and you should be doing it too if you were any good. Unfortunately you don't know if the lecture you are receiving is from a very veteran head coach or a first year 4th grade volunteer (no offense guys just very different kids and audiences you are working with).

We have sat our starting SS because he was jawing after a play and we took him out to correct his mistake. That very play the offense goes over the top of our second stringer and scored a TD. Thankfully we came back and won the game but unfortunately we live with the decisions we make. I am fortunate that my entire staff and administration are on board. I guarantee the local experts are not in agreement.

Give your assistants the power to get the kid out and correct it. Just make sure if it is your all state HB the offensive coordinator knows what is going on.

I will say again what my wife continually reminds me, Your team will reflect what you tolerate. I agree with jrkelly, we may be the only male role model some of the these boys have. No if I can get the boys to understand that I don't tolerate fumbles.

I am willing to take the consequences of pulling a player, any player, during any game. This isn't just clinic speak.

I will also add that I am not a fan of all encompassing policies. Just be consistent in your actions.


If you read any of my other posts I will add that my dog completely agrees with me.