Before we get into this, this discussion will be about the actual mechanics of a measurement. This is not a discussion on the merits of when to have one, or, “we never have measurements,” or any of that crap. Take those comments somewhere else.
A measurement taken in the Chargers-Patriots game showed part of what is starting to get preached more and more, and I hope it gets universally accepted, sooner than later.
If you saw it, you noticed the Back Judge move to to offensive end of the ball to hold it. That’s the best way, because it keeps the Back Judge’s arm from interfering with the view of the ball by either the referee, or from the pressbox, as it tends to do when the B is on the defensive end of the ball, reaching across the forward stake to hold the ball. Yes, the latter way is how it was done for a very long time. But, the B’s arm would get in the way of the Referee’s view of the ball and stake. And, with TV coverage at various levels of football - including high school - there became a need to ensure that the TV camera got a good look at the measurement. The only way to accomplish both requires that the B hold the ball from the offensive end of the ball.
In 2010, back in my FBS days, I realized my view kept getting blocked by my B’s arm. So, I unilaterally had my B move to the offensive end of the ball. Problem solved; no issues.
Then, in 2011, we had some pre-season “on-field” training by Tony Corrente, and he wanted to review measurement mechanics. Lo and behold, he presented to the entire staff, that the B should hold the ball from the offensive end of the ball. Wow. We were already doing that. Since Corrente was promoting this, I figured all of the NFL would be doing this. Curiously, though, I still see it being done both ways in the NFL. And those that that hold the ball on the defensive end, indeed, tend to obscure the view from the pressbox.
So, I submit to all that the best way, and the only way we should all execute measurements, is:
1) B always holds the ball on the offensive end of the ball, and from the side of the ball opposite the pressbox (with his body at about a 30 degree angle to the chains).
2) The chains are always set on the pressbox side of the ball for the measurement.
3) The R should view the measurement from the side of the ball OPPOSITE the pressbox (facing the pressbox).
When I talk about this with folks that are used to the “traditional” technique, they frequently argue that the B is in the way of the chains when they moving into position. That assumes the chains need to stay stretched out while they move into position, which they simply do NOT have to. The forward stake man simply moves a step or two toward the back stake, hands the stake to the U, who is standing a few steps toward the back stake, awaiting the arrival of stake, who then carefully pulls the chains (on the pressbox side of the ball) to the defensive end of the ball, stretches it taught, and sets the stake on the ground.
Everybody - teams, referee, pressbox, TV - gets a perfect view. Easy.
I attached a very crude sketch of the arrangement, but it gives the idea.
In the Chargers-Patriots game, unfortunately, the R observed the measurement from the pressbox side. So, so much better if done while facing the pressbox from the side of the ball opposite the pressbox.
Robert