The hit on Tim Castille

[bamanut_aj]

No but if the ever put it in, the very next one should be one on "getting hung out to dry" on the QB's.

LOL!!

 

[bamanut_aj]

They don't have to be actively coached how to do it - most of them know precisely how to do it. What it takes is not being coached NOT to do it. That, and approval of the results...

That is a very good point....

 

[talisitider]

I'm not sure it was an intentional shot to take out his knee, then again I really did not see the replay. I don't think it's uncommon for a smaller DB to hit a big back low instead of going for his strength up top with a conventional run through him form tackle. As for the spearing, I'm probably wrong but I always took that as a shot with the helmet while the ball carrier is headed to the ground or already on the ground. As far as using the helmet and facemask, you're taught to run through a guys numbers, face mask in chest, and to get your head in front of a guy for angle tackling. I think many of you are like me and just disheartened by the injuries, what's done is done, we can't fix it now and it does no good to blame the UT kid for a hit that he probably did not intend to blow Tim's knee out with

 

[UA90]

Shula said he thought the hit was legal.

 

[Alanbama27]

It was legal hit and that is NOT spearing! Spearing is not called when a >>>

running back is hit while he's running and is hit at the knees! Spearing would be hitting the running back while he's on the ground with the top of your helmet. Also, I've watched that play several times and don't know where you're getting the idea that this was a malicious hit in any way. The player was trying to hit a 238lb hulk low, which is what you're taught...the first thing you learn is to take out a big guys knees. You don't necessarily try to use the top of your helmet, but sometimes you do unintentionally and in this case, I feel certain that it was just bad luck.

If you watch the play in slow motion, the hit occured at the exact moment as Tim's left foot planted in the turf. Had it happened a split second earlier it just takes his legs out of under him. If it happens a split second later the guy ends up with Tim's knee in his chest and likely is hurt himself.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

This is one of those topics...

where agreement won't be reached. The rule is very broad and vague - just says that the helmet (or facemask) can't be used as a weapon to injure an opposing player, or language to that effect. I'm just like a lot of others here. I can't view this incident in a vaccum. I'm thinking of the hit on Britt's leg last year by the same team, not to mention the hit on Hudson. It just seems to me, that being the leading rushing team in the SEC, our RBs are gathering the wrong kind of attention. At the time of the KY game, the players said that they were the dirtiest team we played. I'll see if I can get a new reading, after the UT game. TC's injury is devastating - the LCL frequently is impossible to repaid, depending on how much damage is done to it. It's much more cartilage-like than the ACL and has a poor blood supply. We need to remember him in our prayers...

 

[TexasTide]

That type of tackle is made all the time by DB's against big backs in the open field even by our own DB's. You hit them low and fast to take out their feet before they can get moving. Castille's foot/leg resisted just for a split second and that's all it took.

If you're going to throw a flag because someone got hit with a helmet/facemask there would be a penalty on every single play of every game. Just hitting someone with your helmet/facemask is not spearing. Hitting a player head first in their head or back after they have been stopped is spearing. Diving at someone's feet in the open field is not.

 

[Alanbama27]

Actually that is not what the rule says. As a matter of fact you are>>>

where agreement won't be reached. The rule is very broad and vague - just says that the helmet (or facemask) can't be used as a weapon to injure an opposing player, or language to that effect. I'm just like a lot of others here. I can't view this incident in a vaccum. I'm thinking of the hit on Britt's leg last year by the same team, not to mention the hit on Hudson. It just seems to me, that being the leading rushing team in the SEC, our RBs are gathering the wrong kind of attention. At the time of the KY game, the players said that they were the dirtiest team we played. I'll see if I can get a new reading, after the UT game. TC's injury is devastating - the LCL frequently is impossible to repaid, depending on how much damage is done to it. It's much more cartilage-like than the ACL and a poor blood supply. We need to remember him in our prayers...

Absolutely allowed to use your helmet and face mask and when you truly "form" tackle somebody your face mask should be planted squarely in their chest (so your eyes are looking at their number) and then your feet drive them to the ground. That is what is considered the PERFECT tackle. You are not supposed to use the CROWN of your helmet for two reasons. First it is the easiest way to break your own neck, which is why you are not supposed to duck your head when you hit somebody or get hit and second it is perceived as an attempt to harm another player. However, that normally comes into play by free safeties or in a spearing situation.

You are not allowed to use ANY part of your body or equipment however in a manner that would be described as an attempt to injur another player.

The rule is NOT really vague at all and in this case you can come away with anything you want, but it was a completely legal hit as Shula already said. It was a terribly unfortunate incident and I wish it had not happened, but it's just one of those plays.

 

[IH8Orange]

I don't believe the hit was malicious, but it was illegal. More importantly, the DB that made the hit could have broken his neck. If spearing and hitting with the head down isn't enforced, more players will sustain neck injuries. Spearing is no joke.

I'll never forget my high school coach tearing into me because I dropped my head on a tackle.

He yanked my head backwards by the facemask and said, "Your body came with it because you've got enough stability when your head goes back. You don't have that when your head snaps forward and you'll be on the sideline if I EVER see your head drop like that again."

 

[Alanbama27]

He was one smart coach! We had coaches preach that >

I'll never forget my high school coach tearing into me because I dropped my head on a tackle.

He yanked my head backwards by the facemask and said, "Your body came with it because you've got enough stability when your head goes back. You don't have that when your head snaps forward and you'll be on the sideline if I EVER see your head drop like that again."

to us all the time too! It is the one thing you learn early in your playing football days that you take with you at all levels.

 

[Revolver]

Smaller DB's tackle big RB's at the legs all the time. Jamal Lewis tore his ACL on the exact same hit by an Auburn player in '98. Happens every game, by EVERY team on fridays, saturdays, and sundays during the fall

Wesley Britt wasn't "hit" last year. A UT player came down on Britt's lower leg as he was making the tackle on the RB. They showed the replay during the this year's game. Pretty easy to see.