Tackle Football Knowledge Base

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Meeting Summary — Monday, August 24, 2026

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Information

  • Trends Throughout the State — IHSA Head Clinician Rick Karhlicker
    No presentation deck, but Rick encouraged all officials to download and print the IHSA Football Officials Manual.
  • You Make the Call — Jeff Solomon
    Florida State final official and rule interpreter (now living in Illinois) takes us through a series of plays with what to look for and how to adjudicate the play.

Video Review

  • First Touching Onside Kick Attempt
    Crew did a good job of “boxing” the kickoff in an onside kick situation. The kick does not go 10 yards — it’s actually touched by a Team K player 8 yards from the kick line. One of the officials mistakenly throws a flag instead of his bean bag to mark the spot. The waving off of the flag caused some confusion, but the play was administered correctly: the receiving team was given the ball for a new series at the spot of first touching.
  • Holding Call on Big Play
    Multiple views of this play. Watch the top of your screen — Team A #54 is flagged for offensive holding behind the line of scrimmage on a play that results in a big offensive gain being called back. It does not appear there was much engagement by the offensive player, and it doesn’t appear to have had an impact on the play. You make the call — holding, or not?
  • Helmet Contact
    This is a play that must be called. Watch Team A Player #10 (in white) — he clearly lowers his head and uses his helmet to block a defender in the head and neck area. The defender immediately shows signs of a head injury. This is flagrant enough to possibly warrant an ejection.
  • Defensive Pass Interference Called
    You make the call. Receiver is going downfield on a long pass play; the defender stays with him. The pass is thrown in the area but not near the receiver. Both players have a right to catch the ball. The defender is holding his ground and denying the receiver a path to the ball, which is good defense — but there is contact. DPI, or nothing?

Meeting Summary — Monday, August 10, 2026

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