Running Up The Score

[5goridersgo5]

This probably doesn't belong in this thread (but there is no thread for amateur football) but here goes. I was officiating high school this weekend in the Jaw and a couple of the games were blowouts. A couple of people I talked to after the games felt that the winning teams were running up the score and lacked "class" (man I hate the use of that word). However, by the fourth quarter, it was grade 10 and 11 kids in the game and this may be their last game action for the season. As games tighten up, the starters will go the whole way. It also provided excellent experience for the younger kids that can only help in the future.

There was some passing going on, but it was from the 2nd string QB to the 2nd string receiver. There were no bombs or trick plays, just simple 10 yard outs, etc. that in some cases were broken for long games.

I don't think that this is running up the score. I also feel that to "take it easy" on a team at the end is actually more insulting then a good butt-kicking (I've been on both sides of the equation throughout my athletic life as a player and a coach). I actually felt worse after the other team put their backups in than when the starters would stay out. To me, it said that our backups are better than your starters. But at the same time, you don't have "short kicks" or trick plays in your arsenal if your up by 30 at the end of the game. That is cheap.

Sorry to rant, but what is your guys experience in this. Is it okay to "run up the score" if you continue to play solid, conventional football or should you only run the ball up the gut and kill the clock as fast as possible? Also remember, that most of these kids, once they graduate from high school, will never again get to play with the pads on again.

[PhilAxler]

Re: Running Up The Score

My feeling has always been that as long as it's second and third stringers out there, the whole playbook should be open without it being "classless". I mean, those guys rarely get meaningful reps in practice and this is their chance to run the system at full speed. Add to it that it is at the HS level, and yeah, the whole playbook should still be open for those kids.

If they scored a few times though, you got to ditch the deep routes. And maybe run on second and short.

And no trick plays, by playbook, I mean the stock 15 plays or so a team would run.

But no, it sounds like nothing "classless" happened in the games you spoke of.

[Inquiring Mind]

Re: Running Up The Score

I've never really played football at a high enough level to truely understand the ettiquette of running up the score.

I have played baseball at a high level though, and I'll tell you right now that your statement "I also feel that to "take it easy" on a team at the end is actually more insulting then a good butt-kicking" doesn't fly there.

You still try to hit and all, but if you're up by a bunch you don't swing for the fence, and once you've made contact you let up on the bases... otherwise next time you get up there you get one in the ear (which I learned the hard way).

[esks4life]

Re: Running Up The Score

How is it running up the score when the other team sucks that bad. I dont get what you're supposed to do. Throw interceptions? Fumble it? Score on yourself? Just so the other team can have a chance? If the opportunity is there take it. I mean most teams whether its pros or amateurs usually try to let up but I think thats dumb. Your out there to play a game and to win.

[Beerfish]

Re: Running Up The Score

This probably doesn't belong in this thread (but there is no thread for amateur football) but here goes. I was officiating high school this weekend in the Jaw and a couple of the games were blowouts. A couple of people I talked to after the games felt that the winning teams were running up the score and lacked "class" (man I hate the use of that word). However, by the fourth quarter, it was grade 10 and 11 kids in the game and this may be their last game action for the season. As games tighten up, the starters will go the whole way. It also provided excellent experience for the younger kids that can only help in the future.

There was some passing going on, but it was from the 2nd string QB to the 2nd string receiver. There were no bombs or trick plays, just simple 10 yard outs, etc. that in some cases were broken for long games.

I don't think that this is running up the score. I also feel that to "take it easy" on a team at the end is actually more insulting then a good butt-kicking (I've been on both sides of the equation throughout my athletic life as a player and a coach). I actually felt worse after the other team put their backups in than when the starters would stay out. To me, it said that our backups are better than your starters. But at the same time, you don't have "short kicks" or trick plays in your arsenal if your up by 30 at the end of the game. That is cheap.

Sorry to rant, but what is your guys experience in this. Is it okay to "run up the score" if you continue to play solid, conventional football or should you only run the ball up the gut and kill the clock as fast as possible? Also remember, that most of these kids, once they graduate from high school, will never again get to play with the pads on again.

I go along with your line of thinking 100%. It's worse if you are taking a beating if the other team plays to feel sorry for you.

[Numberz]

Re: Running Up The Score

i can relate to this situation as i still play high school football....and last game we won 47-0. i'm a 3rd string fullback, and as you can imagine, don't get much playing time, but last game i got the whole 4th quarter to prove myself, and there is no way i'm gonna pass up that opportunity to show my coach what i got. i cracked off over 30 yards in 3 runs including a big 20 yarder. we weren't running up the score....but what am i supposed to do? play sub-par? i dont think so

[Ryanoles]

Re: Running Up The Score

i'm a 3rd string fullback

[Chucker44]

Re: Running Up The Score

You can never ask players to let up on the field. Just when they do someone takes a crack at them and they can get hurt.

But here are things you can do to not humilate the other team. After all, these are still kids.

Try all running plays or all passing plays (whichever is your weakness). Be predictable. Let them stop you.

Third and short. Automatic punt.

Switch your receivers/dbs with your lineman.

[earl2]

Re: Running Up The Score

I officiate football as well, and I've seen some amazingly lopsided scores. And I will say that in my experience with bantam and high school football most coaches and teams are pretty good about not rubbing the losing teams face in it.
However about two weeks ago I worked a game that was totally out of hand. The winning team had the ball with about 35 seconds left. Instead of taking a knee twice, they ran a sweep. A member of the defence got hurt. He laid on the field for five minutes before they could finish the game. We asked the offence's coach (actually, we very strongly suggested they take a knee to kill the clock) and he refused, and they ran another play. I actually felt myself wishing that his QB (first stringer of course) would break his leg on the play. I don't actually wish injuries on anyone, but this coach deserved to have something bad happen to his team. IMO his actions were about as disrespectful and ignorant as you can get. And if I was the parent of the kid who was hurt, I'd have some pretty tough questions for that guy.
It just goes to show that while it's important to lose with class, it's equally important to win with class.

[Numberz]

Re: Running Up The Score

whats so surprising about that? i'm out of shape, i admit it...i may be starter next year, ya never know

[lloyd]

Re: Running Up The Score

i can relate to this situation as i still play high school football....and last game we won 47-0. i'm a 3rd string fullback, and as you can imagine, don't get much playing time, but last game i got the whole 4th quarter to prove myself, and there is no way i'm gonna pass up that opportunity to show my coach what i got. i cracked off over 30 yards in 3 runs including a big 20 yarder. we weren't running up the score....but what am i supposed to do? play sub-par? i dont think so

Beating up on old Bedford Rd. All they got is b-ball

[5goridersgo5]

Re: Running Up The Score

I officiate football as well, and I've seen some amazingly lopsided scores. And I will say that in my experience with bantam and high school football most coaches and teams are pretty good about not rubbing the losing teams face in it.
However about two weeks ago I worked a game that was totally out of hand. The winning team had the ball with about 35 seconds left. Instead of taking a knee twice, they ran a sweep. A member of the defence got hurt. He laid on the field for five minutes before they could finish the game. We asked the offence's coach (actually, we very strongly suggested they take a knee to kill the clock) and he refused, and they ran another play. I actually felt myself wishing that his QB (first stringer of course) would break his leg on the play. I don't actually wish injuries on anyone, but this coach deserved to have something bad happen to his team. IMO his actions were about as disrespectful and ignorant as you can get. And if I was the parent of the kid who was hurt, I'd have some pretty tough questions for that guy.
It just goes to show that while it's important to lose with class, it's equally important to win with class.

Yeah, it's such a fine line. You want these kids to get as many plays as possible, but at the same time, there are other lessons to be learned on the football field. I always believed (and still do) that how you act on the field is a pretty strong indicator of how you act off of it. And unfortunately, sometimes the coaches forget that, with the kids being the ones who have to put up with it. There is a huge difference between playing hard and clean for 48 minutes (which I believe in) and rubbing it in.

Thanks for the insight guys. It's been good to hear.

[earl2]

Re: Running Up The Score

There is a huge difference between playing hard and clean for 48 minutes (which I believe in) and rubbing it in.

Exactly. I'd never expect a team to purposely play poorly. I would expect them to put in their third string QB and stop running their most effective plays, however.

[5goridersgo5]

Re: Running Up The Score

Exactly. I'd never expect a team to purposely play poorly. I would expect them to put in their third string QB and stop running their most effective plays, however.

Yup, once the score gets stupid, time to run the gut. This year in Moose Jaw, at the minor level anyways, has been better than other years. We really haven't many games that have been blow-outs. One reason is the league instituted a rule that kids can't play both ways now except if there are injuries. This way, more kids get to play too. Do you guys have similar rules in Edmonton?

[earl2]

Re: Running Up The Score

Yup, once the score gets stupid, time to run the gut. This year in Moose Jaw, at the minor level anyways, has been better than other years. We really haven't many games that have been blow-outs. One reason is the league instituted a rule that kids can't play both ways now except if there are injuries. This way, more kids get to play too. Do you guys have similar rules in Edmonton?

I can't speak for Edmonton as I'm Grande Prairie. But there are no rules like that at any of the levels here.
It's not a bad idea with regards to letting all kids play and keeping games close. But from a developmental point of view, it's unfortunate that some of those kids can't play both RB and Linebacker in order to develop their skills at both. But I can definately understand the rule.