ESPN: NCAA to consider coaches' proposal to combat fake injuries

[Taji34]

NCAA to consider proposal to curb fake injuries

The NCAA Football Rules Committee will consider a proposed rule change intended to discourage players from faking injuries that prompt unwarranted timeouts when the group meets later this month.

www.espn.com

A proposed rule change intended to discourage players from faking injuries that prompt unwarranted timeouts will be considered when the NCAA Football Rules Committee meets this month.

Feigning injuries, sometimes at the coach's instruction, has become a tactic defenses use to slow down tempo offenses or as a way for an offense to avoid a delay of game penalty or get an extra timeout.
The American Football Coaches Association submitted a proposal that would require a player who goes down on the field and receives medical attention to sit out the rest of that possession. Currently, the player must go out for one play before re-entering.

[...]

The proposal has carveouts. A coach can use a charged timeout to get the player back on the field during the current possession. A player injured by a hit that results in a penalty would be exempt. Also, the one player on offense and one on defense with a green dot on his helmet, indicating he's allowed to receive radio communication from the sideline, can re-enter after one play.

Interesting proposal, overall I like it though I could see it leading to players who are actually injured who only need a play or 2 off the field (i.e. they just got the wind knocked out of them, mild cramp, etc) trying to play through the injury to prevent missing the entire possession. This seems is more impactful for team (like us) whose offense trends more towards long, multi-play, multi-minute possessions since that means the player stays out longer, although this would also mean an injury on the opponents defense would also not be able to come back on (sans the HC burning a TO).

 

[MaxyJR1]

It's a start, but sometimes I think things can just be left alone. Karma seems to work.

 

[pharmacygopher]

I love this proposal.

 

[TNGophfan]

In general, I like it as well.

 

[SeaBee_Gopher]

NCAA to consider proposal to curb fake injuries

The NCAA Football Rules Committee will consider a proposed rule change intended to discourage players from faking injuries that prompt unwarranted timeouts when the group meets later this month.

www.espn.com

Interesting proposal, overall I like it though I could see it leading to players who are actually injured who only need a play or 2 off the field (i.e. they just got the wind knocked out of them, mild cramp, etc) trying to play through the injury to prevent missing the entire possession. This seems is more impactful for team (like us) whose offense trends more towards long, multi-play, multi-minute possessions since that means the player stays out longer, although this would also mean an injury on the opponents defense would also not be able to come back on (sans the HC burning a TO).

Like you mention, a head coach can always burn a timeout if an important player just needs a minute. It just makes the use of timeouts even more strategic. Maybe they won't have so many to burn at the end of the game freezing the kicker!

Sort of ironic, some players fake injuries to save the coach the timeout. Now, the coach will sometimes need to use the timeout because a player is injured. I like the new wrinkle.

 

[gopherphil]

Not ncaa biggest issue or problem. But but but look we’re doing something to make the game a better experience. Smh

 

[MNVCGUY]

It's a start, but sometimes I think things can just be left alone. Karma seems to work.

Yeah, this is probably a good compromise in a lot of ways but the vast majority of injuries are not faked so there is an element here of addressing a problem that doesn't really exist outside of a handful of cases.

 

[highwayman]

Instead of change of possession, how about 3 or 4 plays? That seems to me to be a better compromise. Said above, probably more injuries are real than fake.

 

[Ski-U-Ham]

Instead of change of possession, how about 3 or 4 plays? That seems to me to be a better compromise. Said above, probably more injuries are real than fake.

I mean, if it's a real injury, it depends on how you classify "real" but odds are good you're not going back in during the drive anyway

 

[MNVCGUY]

Instead of change of possession, how about 3 or 4 plays? That seems to me to be a better compromise. Said above, probably more injuries are real than fake.

If you are going to put something like this in you have to make it change of possession so that the officials don't have to track it. It is easy to track and enforce the one play rule, 3-4 plays would be much trickier, especially with the way teams run guys on and off.

 

[Dave H]

Yeah but that is punitive...and it assumes that anyone who gets hurt or is injured would need to miss the whole possession anyways. That is ridiculous. Now a guy cramps up or gets a charlie horse and has to sit for a drive because some people game the system a bit?

In this case the cure is worse than the disease and everyone and their mother from all teams will throw fits when a player tweaks something, has to sit out and it burns them. Fake injuries are annoying and bush league, but they aren't so out of control that we have to completely screw up the way offenses and defenses play an entire drive.

This is a terrible compromise and will be hated to the point they get rid of it within 5 years. Faster if it hurts a helmet school in a major game. (which it will)

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

DUMB

EVERY player who gets the wind knocked out of them is now punished because a few assholes somewhere else are dicking with the game ... and the folks gaming the system? They're still not punished as you just have some nobody go down and fake the injury.


Meanwhile we're going to wonder about:

- Should that ref have blown the whistle / held that kid out?
- Star player is healthy and it's the last drive of the game ... why is he being held out because he got the wind knocked out of him?
- What happens when players who ARE hurt want to stay in the game and force themself up to their feet to avoid being held out a series where they otherwise would get attention on the field?

This whole thing is a ball of unintended consequences.

 

[mggoph]

DUMB

EVERY player who gets the wind knocked out of them is now punished because a few assholes somewhere else are dicking with the game ... and the folks gaming the system? They're still not punished as you just have some nobody go down and fake the injury.


Meanwhile we're going to wonder about:

- Should that ref have blown the whistle / held that kid out?
- Star player is healthy and it's the last drive of the game ... why is he being held out because he got the wind knocked out of him?
- What happens when players who ARE hurt want to stay in the game and force themself up to their feet to avoid being held out a series where they otherwise would get attention on the field?

This whole thing is a ball of unintended consequences.

Yep, and the coaches and players who are guilty of this tactic (to stop momentum and give your defense a break/catch their breath) only have themselves to blame.

 

[upnorthkid]

this is a poor solution to this imo. What about the guy who hits someone and looks shaken up so the concussion flagger sends him off and he's fine? What about a stinger? The DL who gets rolled up on? Why should the green dot be any exception (may as well just flop yourself down as the green dot as there's no repercussions for you stopping the play)? You're now putting impetus on guys with real injuries to try play through them (or ignore their possible head injury) because they know they'll miss the entire final 2-minute drive with the game on the line.

To me, yeah you're making this into a bigger deal than it warrants. the leagues/coaches need to hold their teams and their players accountable for this and they can do so behind closed doors. Putting any pressure on players to play through injuries is just horrible optics.

 

[GopherGrit]

Yeah but that is punitive...and it assumes that anyone who gets hurt or is injured would need to miss the whole possession anyways. That is ridiculous. Now a guy cramps up or gets a charlie horse and has to sit for a drive because some people game the system a bit?

In this case the cure is worse than the disease and everyone and their mother from all teams will throw fits when a player tweaks something, has to sit out and it burns them. Fake injuries are annoying and bush league, but they aren't so out of control that we have to completely screw up the way offenses and defenses play an entire drive.

This is a terrible compromise and will be hated to the point they get rid of it within 5 years. Faster if it hurts a helmet school in a major game. (which it will)

I guess it would be a good idea to have the backup ready to go!

 

[GopherGrit]

DUMB

EVERY player who gets the wind knocked out of them is now punished because a few assholes somewhere else are dicking with the game ... and the folks gaming the system? They're still not punished as you just have some nobody go down and fake the injury.


Meanwhile we're going to wonder about:

- Should that ref have blown the whistle / held that kid out?
- Star player is healthy and it's the last drive of the game ... why is he being held out because he got the wind knocked out of him?
- What happens when players who ARE hurt want to stay in the game and force themself up to their feet to avoid being held out a series where they otherwise would get attention on the field?

This whole thing is a ball of unintended consequences.

Wouldn't they be able to get themselves up on their feet ... and then come out of the game naturally right away, not even have to play that next play?

It's only if it requires an actual stop to gameplay to deal with the playing laying down on the field needing attention right there on the field.

 

[Dave H]

Have you never had your wind knocked out before? Never rolled an ankle? (Not enough to sprain) Cramped up? Things can be super painful in the moment and a minute later you feel fine.

The proof this is stupid is they already carved out exceptions.

BTW all you are encouraging with this stuff is the hope (defensively) to hurt an offensive player especially late in games. If there is 2 minutes left might as well cheap shot the star and take them out for the last series. 15 yards is worth it! And has been mentioned, now hurt players will feel pressure to still play or never go down to the ground for fear of missing extended time on the drive.

Beyond dumb.

 

[highwayman]

If you are going to put something like this in you have to make it change of possession so that the officials don't have to track it. It is easy to track and enforce the one play rule, 3-4 plays would be much trickier, especially with the way teams run guys on and off.

Make it a 15 yard penalty and loss of down if they are in for one of those plays.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Make it a 15 yard penalty and loss of down if they are in for one of those plays.

That doesn't eliminate them having to track it and the number of plays the guy is out. Or keep track of multiple guys who might go out on different plays.

It's easy if you know that #45 has to be out for the rest of the series, he comes back in and you can stop it. Much tougher if #45 has to be out for a particular # of plays and you have to keep track of that.

 

[Word]

That doesn't eliminate them having to track it and the number of plays the guy is out. Or keep track of multiple guys who might go out on different plays.

It's easy if you know that #45 has to be out for the rest of the series, he comes back in and you can stop it. Much tougher if #45 has to be out for a particular # of plays and you have to keep track of that.

Penalty box. Problem solved.

 

[gopher7]

Have you never had your wind knocked out before? Never rolled an ankle? (Not enough to sprain) Cramped up? Things can be super painful in the moment and a minute later you feel fine.

The proof this is stupid is they already carved out exceptions.

BTW all you are encouraging with this stuff is the hope (defensively) to hurt an offensive player especially late in games. If there is 2 minutes left might as well cheap shot the star and take them out for the last series. 15 yards is worth it! And has been mentioned, now hurt players will feel pressure to still play or never go down to the ground for fear of missing extended time on the drive.

Beyond dumb.

Agree 100%

You can't put in punishments for getting injured (faking or not) and still claim to care about player's physical health. This is going to lead to players staying in the game and trying to play through injuries, especially concussions.

I am coming from a blatantly biased perspecitve that warp speed offenses are stupid and not in the tradition of best interest of football.

 

[Ski-U-Ham]

This is going to lead to players staying in the game and trying to play through injuries, especially concussions.

Is this even going to be an possibility? Aren't there non-affiliated physicians there to make sure this doesn't happen? Or is that just the NFL?

 

[#2Gopher]

In the beginning of this opening thread, I liked it. But as I read the comments, I now have conflicting opinions. Something does have to be done though in regard to the fake injuries. Are we going to have lawsuits should a judgement decision come into play that hurts a team?

 

[Unregistered User]

Fix the slow player swap.

Drives me nuts. Needs to be a penalty.

 

[howeda7]

NCAA to consider proposal to curb fake injuries

The NCAA Football Rules Committee will consider a proposed rule change intended to discourage players from faking injuries that prompt unwarranted timeouts when the group meets later this month.

www.espn.com

Interesting proposal, overall I like it though I could see it leading to players who are actually injured who only need a play or 2 off the field (i.e. they just got the wind knocked out of them, mild cramp, etc) trying to play through the injury to prevent missing the entire possession. This seems is more impactful for team (like us) whose offense trends more towards long, multi-play, multi-minute possessions since that means the player stays out longer, although this would also mean an injury on the opponents defense would also not be able to come back on (sans the HC burning a TO).

Seems like you could just make it say 5 plays instead of the rest of the possession. I suppose that's harder to track though.

 

[GFBfan]

Have you never had your wind knocked out before? Never rolled an ankle? (Not enough to sprain) Cramped up? Things can be super painful in the moment and a minute later you feel fine.

The proof this is stupid is they already carved out exceptions.

BTW all you are encouraging with this stuff is the hope (defensively) to hurt an offensive player especially late in games. If there is 2 minutes left might as well cheap shot the star and take them out for the last series. 15 yards is worth it! And has been mentioned, now hurt players will feel pressure to still play or never go down to the ground for fear of missing extended time on the drive.

Beyond dumb.

In the proposal it says an injury resulting from a penalty does not require them to sit out the rest of the series.

 

[matt]

You can't put in punishments for getting injured (faking or not) and still claim to care about player's physical health. This is going to lead to players staying in the game and trying to play through injuries, especially concussions.

It’s a very simple counter argument. If a player is injured, they are getting more time off the field to recover and allow the trainer to diagnose and treat them. Even if it’s a simple injury like a cramp or having the wind knocked out of you, don’t you think it’s in the best interest of player’s health to have a few plays off? Especially since the average drive is only six plays long?

Honestly, I hope this goes through just to get rid of the fake injury bs that unethical coaches pull. And I hope they similarly go after the slow substitution bs that coaches like Bert pull too. If you want to argue that players will play through injuries, there is already a control available to mitigate that with AT spotters in the booth looking for injuries.

 

[Dave H]

In the proposal it says an injury resulting from a penalty does not require them to sit out the rest of the series.

So are the officials going to call the penalty then to make sure to benefit the injury or will they swallow the whistle?

Look, we are fans of a team that when playing say Michigan, doesnt usually get the benefit of the calls. Do you think the refs are going to give our player the benefit of the doubt on a bad hit by a helmet school in a close game? Do you want referee discretion to play into whether a player is allowed on the field or not?

You know who will love this...ESPN because it wont last past week 2 before some team gets royally screwed over and all the talking heads will have content for days! The fans will never like the stupidity of this.

 

[GFBfan]

So are the officials going to call the penalty then to make sure to benefit the injury or will they swallow the whistle?

Look, we are fans of a team that when playing say Michigan, doesnt usually get the benefit of the calls. Do you think the refs are going to give our player the benefit of the doubt on a bad hit by a helmet school in a close game? Do you want referee discretion to play into whether a player is allowed on the field or not?

You know who will love this...ESPN because it wont last past week 2 before some team gets royally screwed over and all the talking heads will have content for days! The fans will never like the stupidity of this.

Fans are already not happy that a defense that is on the field for a bunch of plays in a row get bailed out and some crucial rest time because a player on the defense stays on the ground with an "injury" only to come back in the very next play.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I think this will just mean more hurt players will just get off the field instead of having play stopped. Unless it's more serious. Coaches tell players if they're banged up and have to come out, to just sit down. That allows more time to get a sub in. Now they won't do that.

It's not pleasant or easy but most guys can probably get off the field on their own if they have the wind knocked out or are cramping up.