You may have noticed I have not posted anything for several weeks. I'm still in the process of looking for work, and as some of you know, looking for work can be a full time job. I have continued to work football games and have several interesting items to talk about.
No Contest:
For the first time in twelve seasons I was part of a game that was postponed due to unfit field conditions. But it took us two hours before we pulled the plug.
Let's start at the beginning. Rule 11-1 states: The officials' jurisdiction begins 60 minutes before the scheduled kickoff and ends when the referee declares the score final. The referee declares the score final by raising the ball over his head after the game clock hits 00:00. In fact, the referee does this at the end of each quarter declaring the quarter has officially ended.
Back to the officials' jurisdiction -- each Saturday, we literally walk on to the field 60 minutes before the game starts and assume authority over the game. We can penalize players or teams even though game play has not actually started.
Each of us have specific tasks to perform during this period of time. One of these tasks is to check the football field and ensure it is fit for play. Since most playing surfaces are now turf fields we no longer have the same concerns we did with grass fields. The issue during this night's contests was not related to the field itself, but rather the lights. Two of the six banks of light would not stay lit. Most of the home sideline and the entire south endzone was dark. Now what?
As a crew we agreed this situation the game should be postponed until this could be resolved. The sun was already setting, so we needed a plan 'B'. We met with site administration and came-up with the idea of getting portable lights brought in. At this time is was 6:15PM and kick-off was in another 45 minutes.
At 6:57 (when we do the coin toss) we still did not have a solution for the lights. We decided to do the coin-toss and drag this out as long as possible. The visitors won and deferred. We then brought the coaches together to discuss the situation. They both wanted the game to be played, but agreed the lights needed to be working. We added 30 minutes to game clock and waited. Game administration shut the gate and did not allow anyone else into the stadium. The fans were pretty pissed at us, questioning what the big deal was. So it's a little dark, how could this be dangerous?
Less light on the field is not a hazard, per se, but it does, according to rule 1-2-9-b bring into account where the referee may require any improvement in the field necessary for proper and safe game administration. Coaches already complain we can't see fouls, how can I possibly do my job effectively when it is dark?
But honestly, the real issue was liability. All it would take is some kid to get hurt during the game and some lawyer would find out the field conditions were not fit for play. "Mr Official, can you please explain to the jury how you planned on protecting my client from injury when you cannot see properly?" Let's not go there.
Our primary job as officials is to ensure the safety of the players, so there' was no way we are going to let a game occur on an 'improper' field.
The 30 minuted burned off and we still did not have a solution, so we added another 30 minutes. The fans in the crowd were not happy. We even made attempts to contact the commissioner so we could get a plan 'C'. We could not reach him.
After 60 minutes game administration still did not have a final solution, but they did reach someone who felt they could help. We added another 30 minutes. It's now somewhere around 8:15PM. Fans are unhappy, people are still standing outside the gate getting angry, and now game administration has a big problem. Money.
Does he refund everyone's money? Teams use the gate fees to pay for the game. Who is paying for the cops, and medical, our game fees if he has to refund the gate? The 'home' rents this facility since they do not have their own field. The visiting coach said they spent $1,000 just for the buses. If the game has to be rescheduled, when would it be played? We even talked about playing the game on Sunday, but all the fields in the area already had Soccer or pee-wee football games scheduled.
Canceling a game is not a trivial thing. This was a conference game and there were potential bowl game considerations. We did not take this lightly.
Player safety is paramount, so when game administration told us lights could be here by 11:00PM we all agreed this game was not going to be played. Neither coach wanted his players in the field at 2:00AM and there was no guarantee the lights would even work well. And then I think we get into city rules about noise, etc.
The game was never replayed. If you look at the team records the game is not even listed. It doesn't say canceled, postponed... nothing. I suppose this means it is a 'no contest'.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
That Aint't Right
One of the great things about officiating football is you really do not know what is going to happen next. Sure, you expect a pass on 3rd and long, or if a team has to score with 2:00 remaining the odds are they will run certain types of plays. This is not what I am talking about.
From an officiating perspective, football is a game where much of the contest is structured. If you have a pre-snap routine, know your keys (what you focus as the play begins) and use proper mechanics, much of the game is routine. I even use a process where I break down a play as it happens, "knowing" I will not see holding within the first 'one-one thousand' of the play. I'm more likely to see a chop block, for example. By 'two-one thousand' now holding will begin to develop and now I just need to know where the point of attack is.
Screw-ups happen when the structure is broken and the unexpected, unexpectedly happens. I learned this weekend my structure needs more refining.
High School
This structure problem was not a major... I just did the wrong thing. During a Try (extra point) the holder, with his knee still on the ground, tosses the ball to the kicker during a fake Try. As I recall, they failed. What do I do? Toss my flag. What should I have done? Let's find out.
First let's look at rule 4-2-2-a; the ball becomes dead and the down is ended: a) when a runner... allows any part of his person other than hand or foot to touch the ground.
But wait, you say, the 'holder' is not the 'runner' silly man. If are a regular reader you should know better than to ask this kind of a question; because, in 2-32-13 is says a runner is a player who possess a live ball...
So, the holder is a runner with a part of his person other than his hand or foot touching the ground... shouldn't the ball be dead?
Well, no. Under 4-2-2-a there are some exceptions. 1) The ball remains alive if, at the snap, a place-kick holder with his knee(s) on the ground and a teammate is kicking position catches or recovers the snap while his knee(s) are on the ground and places the ball for a kick or if he rises to advance, hand, kick or pass; OR
Pretty wordy way to say the holder can have his knee on the ground and put the ball down for a kick. It also says he can rise and advance, pass, or hand the ball off. (The kick would mean he could drop kick... let's not go there.)
Did you notice the big read OR? Exception #2: the ball remains live if, at the snap, the place-kick holder with his knee(s) on the ground and with a teammate in kicking position RISES and catches or recovers an errant snap and immediately returns to his knees to the ground and places the ball for a kick or if he rises to advance, hand, kick or pass. It also says if while doing all this the holder muffs or fumbles the ball, the ball is dead.
None of this happened. The holder had his knee on the ground, there was a player in kicking position, the snap was good, no muff or fumble. But the holder passes the ball with his knee still on the ground... there is NO EXCEPTION for this scenario. It falls into under the basic 4-2-2 rule-- the ball becomes dead and the down is ended: a) when a runner... allows any part of his person other than hand or foot to touch the ground.
A little confusing? Even one of my fellow officials said, "He can pass the ball backwards, but not forward." I know what he was thinking -- a backward pass is a fumble. But this would fall into condition of making the dead when the holder fumbles.
So the holder can stand-up (and become a runner) and pass the ball, but he cannot pass the ball while his knee is still on the ground (while still being the holder). Holders can ether hold the ball for the kicker, or they can become runners.
So, I did not anticipate, expect or even consider this type of play occurring. I expected routine... this was a JV game. But when this play did occur all I thought was - "that ain't right" and tossed a flag.
I also screwed up the signals. I indicated the defense declined this phantom foul when I should have waived off the flag. Again, not the end of the world.
But the next blunder, outlined in the next post, is even more interesting.
To review older post, read about other mistakes, and learn the game from an official perspective, go to pigskinref.blogspot.com.
From an officiating perspective, football is a game where much of the contest is structured. If you have a pre-snap routine, know your keys (what you focus as the play begins) and use proper mechanics, much of the game is routine. I even use a process where I break down a play as it happens, "knowing" I will not see holding within the first 'one-one thousand' of the play. I'm more likely to see a chop block, for example. By 'two-one thousand' now holding will begin to develop and now I just need to know where the point of attack is.
Screw-ups happen when the structure is broken and the unexpected, unexpectedly happens. I learned this weekend my structure needs more refining.
High School
This structure problem was not a major... I just did the wrong thing. During a Try (extra point) the holder, with his knee still on the ground, tosses the ball to the kicker during a fake Try. As I recall, they failed. What do I do? Toss my flag. What should I have done? Let's find out.
First let's look at rule 4-2-2-a; the ball becomes dead and the down is ended: a) when a runner... allows any part of his person other than hand or foot to touch the ground.
But wait, you say, the 'holder' is not the 'runner' silly man. If are a regular reader you should know better than to ask this kind of a question; because, in 2-32-13 is says a runner is a player who possess a live ball...
So, the holder is a runner with a part of his person other than his hand or foot touching the ground... shouldn't the ball be dead?
Well, no. Under 4-2-2-a there are some exceptions. 1) The ball remains alive if, at the snap, a place-kick holder with his knee(s) on the ground and a teammate is kicking position catches or recovers the snap while his knee(s) are on the ground and places the ball for a kick or if he rises to advance, hand, kick or pass; OR
Pretty wordy way to say the holder can have his knee on the ground and put the ball down for a kick. It also says he can rise and advance, pass, or hand the ball off. (The kick would mean he could drop kick... let's not go there.)
Did you notice the big read OR? Exception #2: the ball remains live if, at the snap, the place-kick holder with his knee(s) on the ground and with a teammate in kicking position RISES and catches or recovers an errant snap and immediately returns to his knees to the ground and places the ball for a kick or if he rises to advance, hand, kick or pass. It also says if while doing all this the holder muffs or fumbles the ball, the ball is dead.
None of this happened. The holder had his knee on the ground, there was a player in kicking position, the snap was good, no muff or fumble. But the holder passes the ball with his knee still on the ground... there is NO EXCEPTION for this scenario. It falls into under the basic 4-2-2 rule-- the ball becomes dead and the down is ended: a) when a runner... allows any part of his person other than hand or foot to touch the ground.
A little confusing? Even one of my fellow officials said, "He can pass the ball backwards, but not forward." I know what he was thinking -- a backward pass is a fumble. But this would fall into condition of making the dead when the holder fumbles.
So the holder can stand-up (and become a runner) and pass the ball, but he cannot pass the ball while his knee is still on the ground (while still being the holder). Holders can ether hold the ball for the kicker, or they can become runners.
So, I did not anticipate, expect or even consider this type of play occurring. I expected routine... this was a JV game. But when this play did occur all I thought was - "that ain't right" and tossed a flag.
I also screwed up the signals. I indicated the defense declined this phantom foul when I should have waived off the flag. Again, not the end of the world.
But the next blunder, outlined in the next post, is even more interesting.
To review older post, read about other mistakes, and learn the game from an official perspective, go to pigskinref.blogspot.com.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Please, just don't talk to me anymore
High School Game
You know that theory that says if you say something out loud then it won't happen? Like "break a leg". I'm telling you that theory is a load of crap.
So, here's the story... during halftime of the JV game a parent walks up to me and asks, "can I ask you about a play I saw in a game earlier in the season. I don't understand what happened." Sure, no problem.
His explanation goes like this; a short scrimmage kick (i.e., a punt) crosses the expanded neutral zone (more on this is a minute), hits a player on the defense, bounces back over to the kickers side, where they gain possession of the ball, advance, and is tackled short of the line to gain (i.e., they did not make a first down).
"They gave the offense a first down. Was that right?", he asks. I confidently said, "yes, because the defense touch the ball. If they had not touched the ball then the refs were wrong." He believed me. I kinda, more-or-less, believed myself. I thanked the guy for bringing this up, because now it won't happen.
Of course, it did.
Ok, class, now stay with me on this one. (Rule 5-1-3-f) When a scrimmage down ends with the ball in the field of play or out of bounds between the goal lines, a new series is awarded to: F) The team in possession at the end of the down, if the defense is the first to touch a scrimmage kick while it is beyond the expanded neutral zone...
The F) means there are 7 conditions where a new series is awarded; A through G.
Expanded neutral zone? For reference, the normal, none expanded neutral zone is the line of scrimmage. The neutral zone for a scrimmage down is as wide as the length if the football (rule 2-28-1). The NZ may be expanded following the snap up to a maximum of 2 yards behind the defensive line of scrimmage... (rule 2-28-2)
OK, so when MAY it get expanded? You are not going to find some nice paragraph that explains this. Basically, the Expanded NZ exists to eliminate needless flags. For example, rule 7-5-12 says, "ineligible offensive players may not advance beyond the expanded NZ on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass crosses the neutral zone in flight...
The point is if a ineligible offensive lineman is within two yards of the original line-of-scrimmage, this is not a foul for ineligibly receiver down field. The same holds true for the punt I described above - ball needs to cross the ENZ.
Does this make sense? If the defense touch the ball beyond the ENZ, (and this can mean some poor kid gets hit on top of the head when he is not looking), whichever team gains possession of the ball will have a new series.
Now don't get cocky and think you understand this yet. Rule 6-2-6 says, the touching of a low scrimmage kick by any player is ignored if the touching is in or behind the expanded neutral zone. IGNORE this touching.
Hold on... there's more. Rule 6-2-3 says, any offensive player may catch or recover a scrimmage kick while it is in or behind the neutral zone and advance...
But....
Let's go back to (Rule 5-1-3-f) When a scrimmage down ends with the ball in the field of play or out of bounds between the goal lines, a new series is awarded to: C) the defense, if at the end of the forth down, the ball belongs to the offense behind the line to gain.
See why this expanded neutral zone thing is important? A mere six feet (two yards) makes the difference if the defense touches the ball and the offense gains possession.
So, please, someone talk to me about lotto numbers because I need this to really, really happen!
You know that theory that says if you say something out loud then it won't happen? Like "break a leg". I'm telling you that theory is a load of crap.
So, here's the story... during halftime of the JV game a parent walks up to me and asks, "can I ask you about a play I saw in a game earlier in the season. I don't understand what happened." Sure, no problem.
His explanation goes like this; a short scrimmage kick (i.e., a punt) crosses the expanded neutral zone (more on this is a minute), hits a player on the defense, bounces back over to the kickers side, where they gain possession of the ball, advance, and is tackled short of the line to gain (i.e., they did not make a first down).
"They gave the offense a first down. Was that right?", he asks. I confidently said, "yes, because the defense touch the ball. If they had not touched the ball then the refs were wrong." He believed me. I kinda, more-or-less, believed myself. I thanked the guy for bringing this up, because now it won't happen.
Of course, it did.
Ok, class, now stay with me on this one. (Rule 5-1-3-f) When a scrimmage down ends with the ball in the field of play or out of bounds between the goal lines, a new series is awarded to: F) The team in possession at the end of the down, if the defense is the first to touch a scrimmage kick while it is beyond the expanded neutral zone...
The F) means there are 7 conditions where a new series is awarded; A through G.
Expanded neutral zone? For reference, the normal, none expanded neutral zone is the line of scrimmage. The neutral zone for a scrimmage down is as wide as the length if the football (rule 2-28-1). The NZ may be expanded following the snap up to a maximum of 2 yards behind the defensive line of scrimmage... (rule 2-28-2)
OK, so when MAY it get expanded? You are not going to find some nice paragraph that explains this. Basically, the Expanded NZ exists to eliminate needless flags. For example, rule 7-5-12 says, "ineligible offensive players may not advance beyond the expanded NZ on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass crosses the neutral zone in flight...
The point is if a ineligible offensive lineman is within two yards of the original line-of-scrimmage, this is not a foul for ineligibly receiver down field. The same holds true for the punt I described above - ball needs to cross the ENZ.
Does this make sense? If the defense touch the ball beyond the ENZ, (and this can mean some poor kid gets hit on top of the head when he is not looking), whichever team gains possession of the ball will have a new series.
Now don't get cocky and think you understand this yet. Rule 6-2-6 says, the touching of a low scrimmage kick by any player is ignored if the touching is in or behind the expanded neutral zone. IGNORE this touching.
Hold on... there's more. Rule 6-2-3 says, any offensive player may catch or recover a scrimmage kick while it is in or behind the neutral zone and advance...
But....
Let's go back to (Rule 5-1-3-f) When a scrimmage down ends with the ball in the field of play or out of bounds between the goal lines, a new series is awarded to: C) the defense, if at the end of the forth down, the ball belongs to the offense behind the line to gain.
See why this expanded neutral zone thing is important? A mere six feet (two yards) makes the difference if the defense touches the ball and the offense gains possession.
So, please, someone talk to me about lotto numbers because I need this to really, really happen!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Play until you hear the whistle
College Game
Some days are simply perfect football days. A slight chill in the air, a gentle breeze, the glistening sheen of artificial turf. Grass stains are a thing of the past. Aesthetics and meteorology aside the day was superb... until the last two minutes.
I had another actual, for real, legit, Clipping call and a Chop Block. (click on hyperlink to refresh your memory on clipping and why it is rare.) The clipping was beautiful. Right out of the book, no judgment needed, right in front me. I should make next years training tape.
The chop block was also beautiful, but for another reason. I toss the flag, the QB was sacked for a loss, and the defense decides to decline because it would make it 4th and long. The victim protests to the Referee, "Can you watch the high, low blocks?" My White Hat says, "we did" as he picks my flag off the ground and tosses it to me. The player says, "You guys rock".
Ya, we know... for 58 minutes.
So, with about 2 minutes remaining the game is tied at 27-27. The visitors are on their own 15 yard line. There is a fumble, a scramble for the ball, the defense picks-up the ball and scores. The only problem was there was a whistle during the fumble. This is called an Inadvertent Whistle (IW) and is a bad, bad, bad thing to do. If an official has an inadvertent whistle they have to buy the beer. The IW impacts the game for sure, but buying the beer... now that hurts.
Here's the rule: If an official sounds his whistle inadvertently...
1) when the ball is in player possession, then the team in possession may elect to put the ball in play where declared dead or replay the down.
2) When the ball is loose from a fumble, then the team in possession may elect to put the ball in play where possession is lost or replay the down.
There are two additional conditions in the IW ruling which I'll leave out, but the pattern is the same -- the team in possession of the ball at the time of the IW may elect to 'redo' the down and pretend like the play never happened, or they can take the result of the play.
Did I fail to mention the defense had been down 27-14 at halftime and had just scored two consecutive touchdowns to tie the score? Ya, let's try to forget you didn't get a TD.
For this post we are concerned about situation #2. The ball is fumbled, rolls around, touched by multiple players... so how do we know where possession is lost? The beanbag.
Next time you watch a game, and there is a fumble, watch the official nearest the fumble. You will see his beanbag mark the spot where 'possession is lost'. This spot is not only for the unfortunate inadvertent whistle, but is the end of the run. The end of the run is a penalty enforcement spot for fouls during the loose ball.
Now, back to the tied game, with a fumble, inadvertent whistle, fumble recovery, touchdown..... and no f-ing beanbag. Needless to say, this took a minute or three to figure out. Then it got better. And worse.
So, a few plays later, the defense... the ones who should have scored the TD, are flagged for roughing the passer. A huge 15 yard penalty with an automatic first down. Two plays later they have moved the ball to around the 25 yard line and decide to kick a field goal.... which they made and won the game with 1.7 seconds remaining.
One little missed-timed whistle can change everything. Oh, and why was the whistle blown? The coach wanted a timeout.
So the fans are screaming insults, the coach calls us names and says he sending film to our bosses, and we ask for a security escort to our cars.
Did I mention the weather was great!
Some days are simply perfect football days. A slight chill in the air, a gentle breeze, the glistening sheen of artificial turf. Grass stains are a thing of the past. Aesthetics and meteorology aside the day was superb... until the last two minutes.
I had another actual, for real, legit, Clipping call and a Chop Block. (click on hyperlink to refresh your memory on clipping and why it is rare.) The clipping was beautiful. Right out of the book, no judgment needed, right in front me. I should make next years training tape.
The chop block was also beautiful, but for another reason. I toss the flag, the QB was sacked for a loss, and the defense decides to decline because it would make it 4th and long. The victim protests to the Referee, "Can you watch the high, low blocks?" My White Hat says, "we did" as he picks my flag off the ground and tosses it to me. The player says, "You guys rock".
Ya, we know... for 58 minutes.
So, with about 2 minutes remaining the game is tied at 27-27. The visitors are on their own 15 yard line. There is a fumble, a scramble for the ball, the defense picks-up the ball and scores. The only problem was there was a whistle during the fumble. This is called an Inadvertent Whistle (IW) and is a bad, bad, bad thing to do. If an official has an inadvertent whistle they have to buy the beer. The IW impacts the game for sure, but buying the beer... now that hurts.
Here's the rule: If an official sounds his whistle inadvertently...
1) when the ball is in player possession, then the team in possession may elect to put the ball in play where declared dead or replay the down.
2) When the ball is loose from a fumble, then the team in possession may elect to put the ball in play where possession is lost or replay the down.
There are two additional conditions in the IW ruling which I'll leave out, but the pattern is the same -- the team in possession of the ball at the time of the IW may elect to 'redo' the down and pretend like the play never happened, or they can take the result of the play.
Did I fail to mention the defense had been down 27-14 at halftime and had just scored two consecutive touchdowns to tie the score? Ya, let's try to forget you didn't get a TD.
For this post we are concerned about situation #2. The ball is fumbled, rolls around, touched by multiple players... so how do we know where possession is lost? The beanbag.
Next time you watch a game, and there is a fumble, watch the official nearest the fumble. You will see his beanbag mark the spot where 'possession is lost'. This spot is not only for the unfortunate inadvertent whistle, but is the end of the run. The end of the run is a penalty enforcement spot for fouls during the loose ball.
Now, back to the tied game, with a fumble, inadvertent whistle, fumble recovery, touchdown..... and no f-ing beanbag. Needless to say, this took a minute or three to figure out. Then it got better. And worse.
So, a few plays later, the defense... the ones who should have scored the TD, are flagged for roughing the passer. A huge 15 yard penalty with an automatic first down. Two plays later they have moved the ball to around the 25 yard line and decide to kick a field goal.... which they made and won the game with 1.7 seconds remaining.
One little missed-timed whistle can change everything. Oh, and why was the whistle blown? The coach wanted a timeout.
So the fans are screaming insults, the coach calls us names and says he sending film to our bosses, and we ask for a security escort to our cars.
Did I mention the weather was great!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Pass Interference - emphasis on the interference
Varsity Game
The varsity game was personally noteworthy for me since my first crew chief was in town and worked the Varsity game with me. And as I was the White Hat this made the game even more meaningful for me. We had a good time catching-up and working together again. Too bad the game was not a good time.
First, and this is trivial, but I was asked to wear a microphone like the big boys on TV. The PA guy says, "when you want to speak, hold down this button". "Ok, but how am I supposed to signal the fouls if I'm holding down a button?" I retort. Puzzled look from PA guy. "Ok, I'll control the volume from the press box." Swell. It was awkward, but thankfully it did not work most of the time which was just fine by me.
And my knee was still pretty painful which limited my mobility. But this was nothing compared to the pain caused by the game itself. This was 'one of those games'.
Sometimes games just don't flow well. Coaches are upset all game, some of officials are off their routines, the chain crew sucks, the clock sucks. It's never a single thing that makes a sucky game, but all these little 'things' add up. All you want to do is get the damn thing over with.
For example, on one play a flag is thrown for defensive pass interference (DPI). The pass was complete and then the flag came late. I was thinking this had to be facemask or some dead-ball personal foul. When it was reported as a DPI I was a little annoyed. I must have asked him three times, "DPI... Really?" Why throw a flag for a foul that has no impact on the play?
Here's the deal -- the pass was completed for a 25-yard gain. The penalty for DPI is 15 yards from the previous spot and an automatic first down. This is a big penalty. But, unless it had been 4th and 26 yards (meaning they were short of the first down and would have to turn the ball over), why would they accept a DPI foul and lose 10 yards? Of course, they would not.
So, again, why throw a late flag for this? Now, some officials would argue it is better to waive off a flag, or give the offended team an option, than to miss a foul. I've even heard this should be thrown just in case there are offsetting fouls, which would result in the down being repeated.
Ok, but here is the actual wording from the rule book: It is forward-pass interference if: any player [offense or defense] who is beyond the neutral zone interferes with an eligible opponent's opportunity to move toward, catch, or bat the pass.
Hmmm. So, if the receiver completes the pass was his opportunity to catch the ball interfered with? I'm interpreting the rule to mean the defender's act must affect the opponent's opportunity to complete the catch. Why would I reward offense (or further hurt the defense since the pass was completed) because of the defender use a crappy 'interference' technique? The pass was completed. Your interference technique sucked. Move the chains and let's go.
But, it's never this easy. Now, I step in and screw this up even more. I'm so annoyed with the calling official I'm not really paying attention to whay I'm doing. I still have it on my mind this has to be a dead-ball foul... which is enforced from the end of the run. So, I instruct the umpire to mark this off from the end of the run. WRONG.
Good thing my old crew chief was there. He stopped us before I could start the next play. We marched it back to the end of the run and I quickly announced the foul was -- declined.
Good thing the microphone was not working.
The varsity game was personally noteworthy for me since my first crew chief was in town and worked the Varsity game with me. And as I was the White Hat this made the game even more meaningful for me. We had a good time catching-up and working together again. Too bad the game was not a good time.
First, and this is trivial, but I was asked to wear a microphone like the big boys on TV. The PA guy says, "when you want to speak, hold down this button". "Ok, but how am I supposed to signal the fouls if I'm holding down a button?" I retort. Puzzled look from PA guy. "Ok, I'll control the volume from the press box." Swell. It was awkward, but thankfully it did not work most of the time which was just fine by me.
And my knee was still pretty painful which limited my mobility. But this was nothing compared to the pain caused by the game itself. This was 'one of those games'.
Sometimes games just don't flow well. Coaches are upset all game, some of officials are off their routines, the chain crew sucks, the clock sucks. It's never a single thing that makes a sucky game, but all these little 'things' add up. All you want to do is get the damn thing over with.
For example, on one play a flag is thrown for defensive pass interference (DPI). The pass was complete and then the flag came late. I was thinking this had to be facemask or some dead-ball personal foul. When it was reported as a DPI I was a little annoyed. I must have asked him three times, "DPI... Really?" Why throw a flag for a foul that has no impact on the play?
Here's the deal -- the pass was completed for a 25-yard gain. The penalty for DPI is 15 yards from the previous spot and an automatic first down. This is a big penalty. But, unless it had been 4th and 26 yards (meaning they were short of the first down and would have to turn the ball over), why would they accept a DPI foul and lose 10 yards? Of course, they would not.
So, again, why throw a late flag for this? Now, some officials would argue it is better to waive off a flag, or give the offended team an option, than to miss a foul. I've even heard this should be thrown just in case there are offsetting fouls, which would result in the down being repeated.
Ok, but here is the actual wording from the rule book: It is forward-pass interference if: any player [offense or defense] who is beyond the neutral zone interferes with an eligible opponent's opportunity to move toward, catch, or bat the pass.
Hmmm. So, if the receiver completes the pass was his opportunity to catch the ball interfered with? I'm interpreting the rule to mean the defender's act must affect the opponent's opportunity to complete the catch. Why would I reward offense (or further hurt the defense since the pass was completed) because of the defender use a crappy 'interference' technique? The pass was completed. Your interference technique sucked. Move the chains and let's go.
But, it's never this easy. Now, I step in and screw this up even more. I'm so annoyed with the calling official I'm not really paying attention to whay I'm doing. I still have it on my mind this has to be a dead-ball foul... which is enforced from the end of the run. So, I instruct the umpire to mark this off from the end of the run. WRONG.
Good thing my old crew chief was there. He stopped us before I could start the next play. We marched it back to the end of the run and I quickly announced the foul was -- declined.
Good thing the microphone was not working.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Sore about the knee and other musings
On 9/18, I our crew did not have a high school game. I did work a college game and it was a big one.
The teams for the college game were ranked #4 and #5 in the state. Up until the 4th quarter it was very close contest. The halftime score was 7-6 and at one point the score was 21-21. The losers eventually lost the momentum and ultimately the game.
Overall the game was pretty clean and we had less than fifteen flags. I did not throw any laundry during this game.
A few interesting things occurred. We 'penalized' each team for Failure to wear mandatory equipment due to player knee pads' not covering the knees. Here is the rule under mandatory equipment: Soft knee pads at least 1/2-inch think that must cover the knees and be covered by the pants. There is also a provision which states mandatory equipment cannot be altered to decrease protection. What it does not state is the knee pad must cover the knees at all times, nor does it describe in what position the player must be in while having the knees covered. So what, you may be asking?
Here is what I mean with my the emphasis on at all times -- Before the game starts I ask a player to show me his knee pads. It looks funny. I ask him to show me they will cover his knees. The pads do cover the knees, or at least, they can if he pulls his pants down. Now what?
The books say: If a player is not wearing mandatory equipment in compliance in all respects with rule 1-4-4, the team shall be charged a timeout and the player shall not be permitted to play until he complies. (rule 1-4-4 covers several things, including the knee pads I mentioned above.)
So, if he comes to the line of scrimmage, pulls his pants over his knees, is he okay? If during the down his pant ride up, his knees are exposed, and then after the play ends he pulls them back down --- was that a foul?
My opinion is this is not a foul, but something really, really stupid by the player. If he can start the down being legally equipped, then he has fulfilled rule 1-4-4. The point is we should not allow players to participate in a down if they are not properly equipped.
And trust me, you'll get many different opinion from officials on this topic depending upon how black-and-white one interprets the rules. I hope you can see there is room to interpret the rule.
During this game, we charged both teams with a timeout for this equipment violation. This was was correct in my opinion as these particular players were in gross violation of the rule.
On a personal note, during the last play of the game, I got creamed by the tight end. He laid me out pretty good and, I love the irony, my unprotected knee was injured. The player who ran me over says, "hey, are you alright?" I reply, yes. Then he asks, "did I make the catch?" Ah, ya, and thanks for caring.
My knee is still sore but I hobbled through my games the following weekend. More on this next post.
The teams for the college game were ranked #4 and #5 in the state. Up until the 4th quarter it was very close contest. The halftime score was 7-6 and at one point the score was 21-21. The losers eventually lost the momentum and ultimately the game.
Overall the game was pretty clean and we had less than fifteen flags. I did not throw any laundry during this game.
A few interesting things occurred. We 'penalized' each team for Failure to wear mandatory equipment due to player knee pads' not covering the knees. Here is the rule under mandatory equipment: Soft knee pads at least 1/2-inch think that must cover the knees and be covered by the pants. There is also a provision which states mandatory equipment cannot be altered to decrease protection. What it does not state is the knee pad must cover the knees at all times, nor does it describe in what position the player must be in while having the knees covered. So what, you may be asking?
Here is what I mean with my the emphasis on at all times -- Before the game starts I ask a player to show me his knee pads. It looks funny. I ask him to show me they will cover his knees. The pads do cover the knees, or at least, they can if he pulls his pants down. Now what?
The books say: If a player is not wearing mandatory equipment in compliance in all respects with rule 1-4-4, the team shall be charged a timeout and the player shall not be permitted to play until he complies. (rule 1-4-4 covers several things, including the knee pads I mentioned above.)
So, if he comes to the line of scrimmage, pulls his pants over his knees, is he okay? If during the down his pant ride up, his knees are exposed, and then after the play ends he pulls them back down --- was that a foul?
My opinion is this is not a foul, but something really, really stupid by the player. If he can start the down being legally equipped, then he has fulfilled rule 1-4-4. The point is we should not allow players to participate in a down if they are not properly equipped.
And trust me, you'll get many different opinion from officials on this topic depending upon how black-and-white one interprets the rules. I hope you can see there is room to interpret the rule.
During this game, we charged both teams with a timeout for this equipment violation. This was was correct in my opinion as these particular players were in gross violation of the rule.
On a personal note, during the last play of the game, I got creamed by the tight end. He laid me out pretty good and, I love the irony, my unprotected knee was injured. The player who ran me over says, "hey, are you alright?" I reply, yes. Then he asks, "did I make the catch?" Ah, ya, and thanks for caring.
My knee is still sore but I hobbled through my games the following weekend. More on this next post.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Mr. Saturday Night
I could title this post "It's Saturday night, you dork" for a rookie mistake I made. Now, this was not the end of the world, and I realized the mistake before my flag even hit the ground, but it was one of those high school vs college rule, brain-fart moments.
The play in question transpired sometime in the second quarter. Recall, I work at the umpire position and generally have a starting position seven to eight yards off the line of scrimmage. Why is this relevant? I threw a flag for a block below the waist that occurred behind me. Confused? Let's review.
First, block below the waist is another example of how crazy the college rule book is laid out. One simple rule: Blocking below the waist is permitted except as follows: (and what follows is an entire page of exceptions). I will spare you reading all the exceptions, but the exception that applies to this situation has to do with players who are not on the line-of-scrimmage in the blocking zone. What is the blocking zone (BZ)? You'll need to draw a picture.
The description of the BZ: The BZ is a rectangle centered on the snapper and extending five yards laterally and three yards longitudinally in each direction. The blocking zone disintegrates when the ball leaves the zone.
Ok, back to blocking below the waist. If a player is within the BZ and on the line of scrimmage, they can block below the waist anywhere on the field. Simple. Actually, all players can block below the waist (because it is permitted); however, some players are limited as to when and where they can use this blocking technique.
The restrictions apply to players who are outside the BZ (think, the wing back or a wide receiver), or for players who are within the BZ, but not on the line of scrimmage (think, a running back). They are prohibited from blocking below the waist toward the original position of the ball in or behind the neutral zone and within 10 yards beyond the neutral zone.
So, take that picture of the 5 x 3 rectangle I asked you to draw and add another 7 x7 yard box on the defensive side. Put a dot seven yards in the middle and this is where I am.
Now when I say the block in the back occurred behind me the questions is -- did the block occur within this 10 yard zone by a player under restriction? Heck if I know about the restricted player part, but odds are the foul occured outside the zone and thus would not be a foul... at least on Saturday.
During a high school game, this would be a foul, no matter what. On Saturday, it depends. I threw the flag because because my high school red flag went up.
I had not games on 9/18, but I did have a college game on Saturday 9/19 which pitted the 4th and 5th ranked teams in the State. It lived-up to the hype.
The play in question transpired sometime in the second quarter. Recall, I work at the umpire position and generally have a starting position seven to eight yards off the line of scrimmage. Why is this relevant? I threw a flag for a block below the waist that occurred behind me. Confused? Let's review.
First, block below the waist is another example of how crazy the college rule book is laid out. One simple rule: Blocking below the waist is permitted except as follows: (and what follows is an entire page of exceptions). I will spare you reading all the exceptions, but the exception that applies to this situation has to do with players who are not on the line-of-scrimmage in the blocking zone. What is the blocking zone (BZ)? You'll need to draw a picture.
The description of the BZ: The BZ is a rectangle centered on the snapper and extending five yards laterally and three yards longitudinally in each direction. The blocking zone disintegrates when the ball leaves the zone.
Ok, back to blocking below the waist. If a player is within the BZ and on the line of scrimmage, they can block below the waist anywhere on the field. Simple. Actually, all players can block below the waist (because it is permitted); however, some players are limited as to when and where they can use this blocking technique.
The restrictions apply to players who are outside the BZ (think, the wing back or a wide receiver), or for players who are within the BZ, but not on the line of scrimmage (think, a running back). They are prohibited from blocking below the waist toward the original position of the ball in or behind the neutral zone and within 10 yards beyond the neutral zone.
So, take that picture of the 5 x 3 rectangle I asked you to draw and add another 7 x7 yard box on the defensive side. Put a dot seven yards in the middle and this is where I am.
Now when I say the block in the back occurred behind me the questions is -- did the block occur within this 10 yard zone by a player under restriction? Heck if I know about the restricted player part, but odds are the foul occured outside the zone and thus would not be a foul... at least on Saturday.
During a high school game, this would be a foul, no matter what. On Saturday, it depends. I threw the flag because because my high school red flag went up.
I had not games on 9/18, but I did have a college game on Saturday 9/19 which pitted the 4th and 5th ranked teams in the State. It lived-up to the hype.
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