Onside Kick Philosophy

[Orijinal]

Posting this here just before the season because I feel strongly about this. Don't want to see Syracuse compromise a game again this year because they are kicking an onside kick when they don't need to ...and shouldn't.

I know some may disagree with me and that's fine, but let's play out the reasoning:

1) Never kick an onside kick unless you are in desperation mode. The onside kick by it's very nature is a desperate play: it has woeful recovery percentages

2) Based on #1, never use the onside kick at the end of a game if: you have 2 or more timeouts, have 3 or more minutes left, are down by 1 score, and your defense is playing even relatively well

3) If any one of the 3 conditions is not met in point #2, then consider the option, but only then. And even in that curcumstance it is not necessarily called for

4) Even though point #1 is true, I do not necessarily have a problem with a surprise onside kick on occasion when the game is not in the balance and it's done withing the first 3.5 quarters of the game. Although I would still never use the onside kick myself unless desperate, I won't begrudge a coach trying to surprise another team

Babers misused the onside kick against LSU and may have been in a better position to win the game had he just kicked the ball away at the end.

Babers is not the only Syracuse coach in recent history to misuse the kick. But he is the latest.

Just want to see Syracuse in the best possible position to win games this year.

 

[#FRANchise]

The onside kick that wasn't: how Syracuse football gave LSU short field in loss

 

[PhatOrange]

Except when Marrone did it against Rutgers - that was fuggin fantastic.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I think on-side kicks, drop kicks, 4th down tries and flea flickers are woefully under utilized.

 

[donniesyracuse]

The onside kick by it's very nature is a desperate play: it has woeful recovery percentages

What are the percentages? I am too lazy to google it.

I would also need to know to what extent the probability of an opponent scoring is increased if they take possession at midfield.

 

[Orijinal]

What are the percentages? I am too lazy to google it.

I would also need to know to what extent the probability of an opponent scoring is increased if they take possession at midfield.

I cant quite remember. Maybe someone else can help here. We had a discussion about the onside kick about 6-8 months ago on the forum and numbers were given.

Anyway, there's also a different set of percentages when the opposing team doesn't expect it, and when the opposing team anticipates receiving one. As you would guess, the numbers are low either way, but especially low when you are at the end of a game and the other team is putting their hands team on the field

 

[sufandu]

I used the onside kick masterfully in NCAA Football 2002 or 2003, I can't remember which. I averaged 120 ppg and beat my buddy for the NC. I also went for it on 4th on the rare occasion I didn't score on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd down.