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What to do during Fumble?

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shardian:
During break, we were watching Sportscenter. They showed the fumble during MNF where the Pats defenders kept trying to pick it up and run with it. I said "WTF were they thinking! You're supposed to fall on the damn ball". My Coworker then said college and pro coaches teach players to 'Scoop and Score'. I then said I have NEVER heard of any coach teaching that dumbass philosophy. Trying to pick up the ball during a fumble has like a 90% epic fail ratio.

So, has anyone else ever heard of a coach actively teaching his players to try and pick up a loose ball?

ChadTower:
Yes, I have heard it I don't know how many times.  It really depends on the defensive coaching philosophy.  Some will want you to just get the turnover.  Others actively teach that if there is the chance to score the risk is worth taking - they feel a TD is worth a couple of turnovers so if you only succeed 50% of the time it comes out the same.  It does seem the higher you go in competitive level the more they teach scoop and score. 

So you can't really vote one or the other - both are taught depending on what the coaches want. 

I have seen hybrids, too.  Some coaches will tell the smaller players to scoop and the bigger guys to fall on it.  Theory there is that the smaller guys have a much higher probability of being able to pull it off than a guy who weighs 300lb and isn't going to outrun anyone even if he gets it.

EDIT:  Just remembered another factor.  I played for a coach that told us to scoop if the ball is outside the hashmarks, fall inside the hash.  Theory there is that outside the hash you are almost never going to get caught by anyone on the other side of the field, reducing the amount of opponents that have a chance to get to you.

Ginsu Victim:
This is what I do for every scoop. It's what coach used to call the "bean dip".

Kevin Mullins:

--- Quote from: ChadTower on October 21, 2008, 10:36:41 am ---It does seem the higher you go in competitive level the more they teach scoop and score. 

--- End quote ---

Agreed.
Players abilities get better as they grow into higher levels. So the probability of pulling off a scoop and score get higher.

From a mid-high school to high school level point of view ...... fall on the ball.
And even then it not only tends to be based on the coaches mentality but the players abilities. We have a couple players that can pull it off every time, yet it's taught to play it safe and fall on the ball. Whether it's our own fumble or the other teams, the idea is that WE get the ball.

So yeah, mixed bag of theory and opinions on that subject.   

JamIt:
Also, don't discount game elements such as time on clock and field position.  Coaches often will lean one way or the other based on these elements.

From my (now) Fantasy football perspective, I'd wish the Eagles would scoop and score given any opportunity  ;D

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