Not Illegal, No Controversy, No Problem

by Rob Hamilton
(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

I feel that predictability is killing football and deterring football audiences.

The best example of this is the NFL. Coaches are so afraid to try something out of the "norm" because if they lose a couple games they're fired. Fired by owners who have little to no concept of the X's and O's of football.

This leads to boring and predictable games.

On the youth level, coaches (especially in Canada) are volunteer parents who teach one of two ways: The way they played back in the 80's, 70's or even 60's, or they teach whatever they see on TV (Pro or Spread).

The video clip portrays a coach attempting something new: creativity. I think the play is 100% legitimate, follows the rules and is fun to watch.

Ultimately it is the offense's job to put the ball in the end zone, and the defense's job to stop them.

I applaud the coach for coming up with this play and I guarantee you that he has seen a lot of negative criticism.

Comments like "That's unfair", "That's dirty and illegal", How unsportmanlike", etc, etc.

But I have no doubt those same comments were said about the invention of the trap block, cut block, crack block, option, forward pass, etc.

Those opposed to this play and other similar plays are opposed to the evolution of football.

The coach that disagrees with this play is unwilling or unable to be flexible and stop this play through teaching their players fundamentals of the game of football.