Officiating is a human endeavor, and we all have different philosophies, opinions, and judgments.
Some officials (me included) have a high sense of justice. My “J” is very high on the Meyers-Briggs test. I’m a rule follower, and I get agitated when people don’t follow the rules or meet expectations. (I’m genuinely emotionally compromised when I see someone leave their shopping cart in a parking spot instead of taking it to a corral or back to the store.)
“If you make an issue out of it, it will be an issue” suggests how we perceive and respond to a situation can determine its significance. It reflects the idea that by focusing attention on something, even if it initially seems minor, we can unintentionally escalate its importance.
The statement encourages a more measured approach, implying that if we let some things go or downplay their importance, they may remain small, manageable, or even disappear altogether. Conversely, amplifying small matters can lead to unnecessary conflict.
These examples come to mind when I reflect on this saying:
- A runner tosses the ball on the ground and away from an official after he is tackled (Rule 10-5-2-d).
- A quarterback is sacked on third down and, in frustration, spikes the ball on the ground while seated (9-5-2b).
- Multiple players wear eye black, but it’s not a single stroke (1-5-3c(3)).
- A substitute enters the field, but the player he replaces does not begin to leave the field within 3 seconds (4-7-1).
- When the 15-minute halftime expires, players are approaching the field, but the team does not have at least one player on the field to begin the 3-minute warmup period (9-8-1g(3)).
- At halftime, the band is still on the field after the 15-minute intermission, delaying the warmup period and the start of the second half (9-8-1g(3)).
- A coach calls a timeout and huddles with the team near the sideline; some players are inside the numbers (2-6-2a).
There are likely hundreds of additional examples you could think of where coaches or players violate a rule, but we have the opportunity to hold our flag.
I’m NOT advocating throwing away the rules book. Some may say, “If you’re not going to enforce Rule X, what other rules will you decide to ignore as well?” I think someone who asks that question is completely missing the point.
We are not deliberately ignoring a rule. We’re simply inserting perspective and judgment into our officiating calculus.
We are not the penalty police. We don’t want to be draconian. Yes, the rules book is written in black and white. But we are afforded some judgment and discretion as we officiate the game.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
A33 in on the line of scrimmage to the left of tackle A75. A17 is on the line to A33’s left (A33 is “covered”). At the snap, A17 and A33 run downfield. Quarterback A12 looks downfield to pass and then runs around the left for a 5-yard gain.
- No foul
- Foul on A33 for ineligible downfield
Review Rules 7-5-6 and 7-5-12