who should pull starters first?

[wrestlefan]

the team up 30 or the team down 30
it stinks to pull starters and have the other team throw a bomb early fourth quarter and take away the running clock

[svac83]

i think the team up in game should pull starters first unless they have something they are still trying to work on. Team down 30 maybe need to keep them in to build confidence or to continue to get experience.

[BurgGrad6]

The team that's up30. Obviously they have more to lose being the better team. An injury to a starter could be detrimental.

[greygoose]

That's easy the team up 30. Your reasoning was worrying about the running clock. Unless you have a kid playing you can get up and leave. It benefits the team up 30 that's how you get those younger players experience. They work their butts off going against the starters they deserve to see the field on Friday nights if the situation calls for it. Team down 30 has plenty to work on and typically you'll see them subbing backups in anyways

[Orange and Brown]

Team up 30

[1987chieftains]

the team up 30

[farmer]

Depends on a lot of different things. First is putting some players in may be a big physical mismatch that could cause injuries. Also depends on if the schools have some bad blood. As well as when in the game. Like 30 points in the first quarter. The winning team should start subbing and/or moving some starters into different positions. Getting some second string players time with the first team. Preparing for future games or playoffs.

Good to get all players in the game. 30 points the coaches should have some idea going into the game. Also if the teams have JV games the next week may have something to do with how much time replacements get. Also injuries to certain positions may not have any depth.

[Mad-Dogg]

Def the team up 30. If your up by that much then it means your not only the better team but u have talent. Losing a player b/c u want to run the score up can be disaster

[The Oaf]

Up 30, 40, 50 whatever. I'd try to score every snap until the end of the game and destroy the other team like coach Meyer does!

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

The team that's up30. Obviously they have more to lose being the better team. An injury to a starter could be detrimental.

I totally agree here. especially in high school, with depth being an issue.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

Up 30, 40, 50 whatever. I'd try to score every snap until the end of the game and destroy the other team like coach Meyer does!

also a great point by oaf. but in college you are forced to maul people especially in the top 5. to maintain your ranking, because such a premium is on the so called ''style points''. which I don't like at all. that's how you build teams by subbing. and also in college you have the Heisman situation which promotes leaving in the top athlete to pad stats. but could also blow up in your face with an injury. it was awesome getting to see burrow leading the bucks Saturday, and smart of urban to remove him. it's much more of a business in college than high school.in high school, it is just good sense to sub with leads, so playing time can get generated by non starters getting them game experience. and of course especially with teams our size in the south you have a depth issue.unlike the bigger inner city schools , or private ones.

[teach1coach2]

Team that is up. If the other team scores enough to drop it under 30, but them back in.

[noreply66]

If you are up 30 or more at the half let the first team play the first series of down on offense and the defense to go in on the second series of the team you are playing. If it goes under what you were leading at the half put the D back in. Showing the other team...if you are not going to play your reserves we won't either.

[wrestlefan]

I think that once the running clock starts, it shouldnt be stopped. When you are up 30 and oull your starters, but the other team starts chucking fades against your little guys- do you put starters back in? I think no, you just have to chuckle and deal with it. At the same time, the running clock shouldnt be stopped

[bfry]

Unfortunately, I've been on both sides of this. Neither are enjoyable. The team up 30 has the obligation to pull starters first. No other reason, for me, than to show tact and class. If the seconds and possibly thirds continue to score by running the football, then so be it. The difficulty comes when the superior team has low numbers. Only so many kids to sub in.

[Bleeding Red]

Up 30, 40, 50 whatever. I'd try to score every snap until the end of the game and destroy the other team like coach Meyer does!

Get up 50 and just throw deep posts and fly routes every play with the starters! Keep the home crowd in the game!

Good point Oaf!

[loganlocos]

My rule is simple:

Whoever leaves their players in can't whine after the game.

If you're up by a bunch but have a player get injured, you're not going to find sympathy.

On the other hand, if you're the losing team and you want the other team to "let up" or show "mercy," then it is equally on you to "concede" victory by pulling your starters.


Basically I think coaches can make a game by game decision on how to handle blow outs. But whatever the decision is, don't whine about "running up the score" OR players getting injured with a big lead.

[mondayamqb]

Whoever is up 30 - followed quickly by the team down 30 making subs. It's a combination.

[Lindy]

Coach Huck and Fort Frye is always a class act with this. He subs quickly.

[Thereddragin]

Coach Huck and Fort Frye is always a class act with this. He subs quickly.

He didn't tonight....