Hard to believe but the college season is already starting. Sunday I attended the first of two college clinics in Stockton. During the clinic we watch film and discuss various play situations. This clinic focused on the two-minute offense. As was pointed out at the clinic, there is very little mentioned in the mechanics manual on how to handle this situation. Ironic as this when some of the most important plays occur during the game.
Midway through the clinic we broke out by officiating position. During the Umpire meeting we focused much of our time reviewing where to line-up during scrimmage downs. There are several points of view on this. The mechanics of the Umpire position are evolving, due in part, to safety concerns for the Umpire. Many of the old school rules-of-thumb donot work all that well with modern football. Do we begin six yards deep or eight yards deep, do you move up to the line-of-scrimmage on passes or stay put, cheat-up during Trys or take a wider view, etc. It all boils down to what each of our conferences what us to do. And no, they are not consistant.
I learned this at the Reno clinic last year. Each conference has a prefered way of working each position. There are no universal standards.
We also had several DI and DII conference supervisors speak about their respective conferences and how one becomes an official in these conferences. Sounds like I can begin to get on the radar, but I would not be accepted until I have five years experience. I'll start applying and see what happens.
The next clinic is July 25th, which is where we take our tests.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
NCFL Week #6 - Odd Game
The game this week was very odd, and yet, very good. Odd and good... are good.
Odd because during the first 90 seconds of the 1st quarter there were four turnovers. During the entire game I believe there were ten turnovers. It was pretty bad.
But good because the score was actually close and neither team dominated. The game really could have gone either way.
Odd because the game was tied with the unusual score of 18-18 up until about 2:30 remaining in the 4th quarter. The Warriors were around the Spartans forty yard line with 4th and about three as I recall. All the Spartans had to do was hold the line for one last play. And yes, there was a long snap count, and yes, the Spartans jumped off-sides and made contact, so the Warriors we given a first down.
The Spartans again held the Warriors for three downs. On forth down the Warriors brought out the field goal team and kicked a 44 yard FG. Pretty odd for this league... and pretty cool actually.
Another odd thing was I threw a foul for Sideline Interference. As I was back peddling on an interception, I ran into a coach or player. I really don't know since I was back peddling. The coach made a comment that I should "watch where I am going". I had my hand on my flag because that was pretty close to Unsportsmanlike, but I decided against it.
But, back peddling is the correct mechanic as I should not turn my back to the field of play. But I also now have goal line responsibility in these situations, so you have move quickly. The interception occurred around the ten yard line, so I had about 70 yards of back peddling to do. (I was working Line Judge instead of usual Umpire).
So, not only did the other team intercept the pass and return it to the 30 yard line, but they were given and additional 15 yards due to the foul
Odd, because out of the 19 fouls for the game, I threw seven flags. I never throw this many flags but six of the seven were dead ball fouls for false start or offside.
All-in-all, I don't know that the best team won. I was one of those games were the team that made the fewest mistakes won.
Which, by the way, is not that odd in the NCFL.
Odd because during the first 90 seconds of the 1st quarter there were four turnovers. During the entire game I believe there were ten turnovers. It was pretty bad.
But good because the score was actually close and neither team dominated. The game really could have gone either way.
Odd because the game was tied with the unusual score of 18-18 up until about 2:30 remaining in the 4th quarter. The Warriors were around the Spartans forty yard line with 4th and about three as I recall. All the Spartans had to do was hold the line for one last play. And yes, there was a long snap count, and yes, the Spartans jumped off-sides and made contact, so the Warriors we given a first down.
The Spartans again held the Warriors for three downs. On forth down the Warriors brought out the field goal team and kicked a 44 yard FG. Pretty odd for this league... and pretty cool actually.
Another odd thing was I threw a foul for Sideline Interference. As I was back peddling on an interception, I ran into a coach or player. I really don't know since I was back peddling. The coach made a comment that I should "watch where I am going". I had my hand on my flag because that was pretty close to Unsportsmanlike, but I decided against it.
But, back peddling is the correct mechanic as I should not turn my back to the field of play. But I also now have goal line responsibility in these situations, so you have move quickly. The interception occurred around the ten yard line, so I had about 70 yards of back peddling to do. (I was working Line Judge instead of usual Umpire).
So, not only did the other team intercept the pass and return it to the 30 yard line, but they were given and additional 15 yards due to the foul
Odd, because out of the 19 fouls for the game, I threw seven flags. I never throw this many flags but six of the seven were dead ball fouls for false start or offside.
All-in-all, I don't know that the best team won. I was one of those games were the team that made the fewest mistakes won.
Which, by the way, is not that odd in the NCFL.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
