SatchUmp

O.K., as a previous O-line coach explained, the answer to this thread is black and white. No, the chop block is not legal from the shotgun. Below is proof I can read and type... The basic definition of a chop block is a delayed block at or below the knees against an opponent who is in contact with a teammate of the blocker in the free-blocking zone." The rule book, same page, gives us more detail including info on the location of the chop block in reference to the free-blocking zone. - The NFHS Rule book, under the "POINTS OF EMPHASIS" on page 72 states "... that regardless of the first point of contact by the first blocker (above, at, or below the knees), if the second block is at or below the knees and the second block is delayed in any way, the block is illegal, if the first block is continuing or is in the process of losing contact." It also says " At the NFHS level, the location with relation to the line of scrimmage is of no bearing as to the enforcement of this rule." The chop block is illegal anywhere, for offense players and defensive players. Officials properly monitoring the blocking and not involved in other aspects of the game (following the football) should be able to properly enforce this rule. Believe me, officials want to eliminate this dangerous block. The officials only have two jobs out there. #1 Keep it safe. #2 Keep it fair. They don't see it all, as we know, but this is one they all look for. Hope this helps.

addicted, I used to ump some little league baseball years ago. I've got a buddy that officiates. He loves it. I'd suggest you give 'er a shot.

I'm not sure if your are being sarcastic or not here, but I'll try to answer your question anyway. (Seems like there are a lot of experts here:... I'm sure the TSSAA would be happy to have such enthusiatic additions to their officials crews.) Goto www.tssaa.org or call (615) 889-6740 in Hermitage to ask who you need to speak to in your locale to sign up. They'll supply you with an application that will need to be signed by a principal or head coach. You'll then need to pass a test form the state. Up front you'll have to pay $40 each year in state dues. You'll need to pay local dues, which run about the same as the state dues, around $40. You'll need to invest between $200 and $300 for uniforms and gear. Remember to replace any item that shows wear or age. You'll then be required to travel to scrimmages and work for free in the pre-season. You'll then need to work middle school games and freshman games. These won't pay much, but you're on your way. Travel is always on your own dollar by the way. You'll also need to make 10 or so meetings throughout the season. Study the rules, etc ... study, study, study. After a few years of getting experience, you're there... hope this helps. From what I hear, most of the regional officals associations in Tennessee need people.

Should be a solid win for the Falcons this week. I think they'll hold the Pioneers to zero. However, until they learn to run Wing-T, I don't see them putting up huge numbers as some others have predicted. Let's say..... Volunteer 26 Crockett 0

Obviously, some people have never played football in public schools. I don't like the cussing either. Fact is... no matter how much we talk about it , I don't ever forsee a day where zero tolerance is the rule. It is as it always has been, and always will be. The general decline of our society dictates the acceptable actions and language of our public school kids. I wish it weren't so.... As far as the refs go, easton2 asked about it previously, if a kid slips out a s**t or d**n, the official will tell him to watch his mouth. If he continues, he will draw a flag. The official stance is to not put up with it...period. Mr Ref won't hit the foul-mouthed player with a 15 yarder right away, however, if he is just venting about a play or his own performance. BUT, if a kid or coach cusses at an official, you better believe he'll see yellow the FIRST time. I don't believe the mindset of the the officals has changed this year from previous years and I know the actual rule has not changed. Please keep in mind, the officials don't hear it all. If youv'e played ball before, you know what it's like to be on a field or in a gym that's full and during the course of the game, not hear anything around you; to be focused on the task at hand. If you truly feel you need to express your opinions on an out of control coach or program, send a letter to the School's Principal and copy the system's Superintendent and Ronnie Carter of the TSSAA. I'd suggest in the meantime, don't sit so close to the game.

Nice prediction CHHS72. I assume you were there, as I was. The score should have been more like 28-0 however. Volunteer was far better than Boone. Seemed like Volunteer either shot themselves int hte foot with mental mistakes or the zebras got 'em when they had other opporunities. One example was the excellent interception for a TD called back for clipping. I did see the clip. Well behind the play. Just a mental mistake. I hate it for Volunteer's #5. Nice INT and even better run for the TD. Like I said, should have been at least 28-0. I knew the offense would be impressive, considering the talent they had returning. What impressed me most was the defense. I saw two plays that made the hair on my neck stand up. The 1st was when Volunteer's #11 came speeding into Boone's backfield and flew over top of their halfback to sack the QB. This kid was flying around and throwing his body in harms way all night. Fun to watch. The 2nd play was when Boone had the ball 4th and about 6 inches, around Volunteer's 30. Boone attempted a QB sneak in the 1-hole. One of the Volunteer players, I believe he came from the LB position and I think he wore #46, slammed through the gap and popped the QB for negative yardage. I could feel the hit from where I was standing. Felt goooood. I believe this team has the tools to better last year's mark.

unbiased.... I never said McLain would leave. Where did that come from? I didn't know he was the head coach - thanks and good for him. I hope he stays forever. I hear people in Church Hill love him. Was a great local athlete and is a good coach who someday we'll be calling great. What I was trying to relay to WaCo, was that if I were DB, and thought Mike Ritz was going to retire.... I'd go after McLain. Now at this point... I am dropping the whole recruiting thing that WaCo brought to light. Doesn't belong here and just stirs people up. I guess WaCo got me a little stirred. Whats important is that the people in Church Hill and Surgoinsville are excited about what their local coaches and kids, and they are starting to put their program together. Good for them....

WaCoJaCo.... I can't blame coaches for going to DB. Great program. Within my years of knowledge of this topic, I've seen several coaches who improved their family situation by increasing their income with a move to DB or Science Hill. Good for them and I personally am happy for them. In fact, I'm friends with three of DBs football coaches. There are currently four coaches on the DB staff alone from Hawkins County, by the way, and that's fine. Good for them and their families. The head basketball coach at Science Hill is a great guy, who was one of the best basketball coaches Volunteer ever had. They hated losing him. You db fans should be thankful for the program that has been built over decades. Thank your grandparents. It's a great program. You should be thankful to be able to compete statewide in nearly every sport nearly every year. What I'm sure you can't relate to is losing key players and coaches nearly every year. How long was Coach Wilson at the wheel. Buck was a genius who was there for what seemed like a 100 years. Graham will probably retire there. Baseball Coach Ritz has been there a since leaving his state championship program at Sullivan North the mid 1980's. Volunteer and other smaller schools have tried over and over to build a competitive program, only to lose some top players or coaches every single year. By the way, congrats on getting those two 6'5"+ kids from the Sullivan South program this year. I'm sure they'll be great. The current coaches have dedicated themselves to this program and have stuck around longer than two years. My original purpose was to just brag on them for their years and efforts. I also think you should know the men better before you state what they would do. You said "I know Venable, Skelton, and Mcclain care about those kids & the community, but If they were offered a better oppertunity and more money they would be gone tommorow. And so would you, lets not kid ourselves." You don't know these coaches. I'm not saying they won't leave someday. Everone has to try to improve themselves. Heck, when Ritz retires, McLain should be your first choice as baseball coach. He knows the came and would be a great head coach anywhere he decides to go. To address your attack. First off, I don't live there. So it would be hard for me to be recruited by DB. I am happy, that this Volunteer is now in the classification they belong in, because of school size, and are doing well. I'd like to see other Region 1 schools get back to where they once were. Boone and South used to be much better in football programs. I like to see Sullivan North Baseball get back to the level of the Smurfs in the early and mid '80s. Heck, I pull for our whole region, especially when it comes to playoffs. Maybe if recruiting wasn't king... Secondly, it's McLain not Mcclain. (Remember McLain, he led Big 10 Basketball scoring in '88 and '89. He was also a great baseball player, who went on to play at ETSU. By the way, he was stongly recruited by Coach Van Huss and his assistants in '87. McLain stayed at Volunteer, unlike Sevier and Keirsey.) Thirdly, catch Coach Venable or Skelton out and say what you said to them. You better duck. As for db kids coming to Volunteer or other surronding schools, they are usually kids who have gotten kicked off the db team or are having troubles in school with grades or discipline. And the big point is.... kids leaving DB were NOT recruited. The kids that transfer to DB, well...... As far as dragging db through the mud. I never mentioned DB in my first post. You brought them in the picture. How did you decide, so clearly, that I even meant DB. All of the Sullivan County, Washington Co, Science Hill, Carter co, etc, schools are all East of Church Hill. Yet you clearly chose DB, right away. Hmmm, wonder why? From an neutral position, WaCo, why does every other school in the region hate DB in sports? Don't say it's because you win and the other schools are sore losers. East, Boone, Volunteer, etc. have experienced many losing seasons, yet ask them who they hate. Why? Arrogance, bragging, and recruiting. You can bring it up in your next Quarterback Club meeting. That's all I have to say on this subject. Period.

No. D-B and Central don't play this year. D-B only plays 3 Northeast TN teams this year (North, South, Science Hill). The best place to find out schedules, by the way, is www.tssaa.org.

Wow. There'e a lot of posts on the Falcons. Nice to see. Here's my 2 cents worth. I believe many people will underestimate the Falcons this year. The QB and backfield are as good as any I've seen in Region 1 or 2. It will be exciting to see what this team does with the Wing-T. the only weak point is the lack of a good kicker. I've heard it mentioned in earlier posts that wins brings out more kids. Well, this is very true. But, in Volunteer's case, there is something before that, that we need to consider. Since the school opened, I believe in '80, the school has been a revolving door for coaches. Especially, basketball and football. Many of the local stars were "persuaded" to come to other schools and programs. Let's just say start at Volunteer and go east. Wins is not the first link in this chain of improving the overall program and getting more kids participating .... it's coaches who truly care and are willing to stick around. I know coaches like Venable, Skelton, and McLain care about Volunteer, the kids, and the community. It's gotta start in the heart. These guys have heart. Pride is spreading at Volunteer, just like with Coach Sallie's Panthers years ago. I'd be intersted in knowing how many local coaches used Volunteer as a stepping stone and where they are now. How many can you name?

Volunteer is better than last year. They are returning their talented QB and RB. They look solid upfront. Unless Boone has really improved, and I hear they haven't, I'd expect the Falcons to win by two touchdowns. The only unknown in my mind is the new offense Volunteer is running this year. Volunteer had their winningest season last year, but Offensive Coordinator, Joey Christian is now the line coach and Dobyns-Bennett. I believe this is a big loss for the Falcons. Volunteer has signed on the Offensive Coordinator from last year's Sullivan South team. Will the Wing-T work in Church Hill? We'll see.

bud, I've seen 'em both in preseaseon action - practices, scrimmages, and South at the jamboree they hosted. Honesty, D-B should hang their heads if they drop this one. Not saying South is bad or a pushover by any means. They just aren't on the same level or have the number of athletes to put on the filed like a school of D-B's size does. Coach Hooks at Sullivan Central had his boys moving the ball extremely wekk against the Rebels in the jamboree a week ago. I think it was somewhere around 150yards of O for Central against South in 10 minutes with a running clock. D-B is bigger, faster, and more athletic than Central. If I was D-B, however, I wouldn't be lookin' ahead to Bearden. The boys from Sullivan South are always fired up when D-B drops by. They'd stuck it to D-B before. It may stay close through a half, but I'd expect it to be a three touchdown game when the dust settles. My 2 cents.....

Griffin nailed it... talent is what makes the Wing-T fly in high school football. My observation, in East Tennessee, is that coaches don't pass from the wing-T much. I'm sure there is a much deeper play book that they simply aren't diving into. From a defensive stand point, if a team has really learned this O, and they're not afraid to pass out of it, it can be tough to defend. Most teams I personally have seen run this, simply don't have kids that are athletic enough or fast enough to make the wing-T work right. The backs must hit the holes hard and be fast enough to get around the corners. This sets up the passing game potential for the wing-T. Relaxed1 said it earlier.... misdirection is the key. Some teams like Maryville or Dobyns-Bennett could easily change to the wing-T and run it effectively. The've got the athletes to do it. The team I'm watching to evaluate the Wing-T on is 4A Volunteer High out of Church Hill. With a new Offensive Coordinator from Sullivan South, he's implementing the wing-T. Volunteer has their backfield and some of their wideouts returning from what was the best season in the history of the school. I'm curious if they'll rise to the next level with the wing-T or if this will back 'em up.

Hey guys. I did see the DB @ North game, let's say from an upclose perspective. It was ugly and could have been worse had DB chosen to run it up. What amazes me however is how well some fans brag after their victories. It's easy to brag afterwards. Why do it? I know North is expecting to improve, and it not an instant process, but did anyone really expect what is currently an at-best average 3A team to beat a state top 10 5A school? I'd be careful which games I crowed about.