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Football Officiating => Texas Topics => Topic started by: hefnerjm on September 03, 2015, 10:21:48 AM
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So, yeah...Tom Brady got away with it...he has now completed his journey to teach the next generation of kids that if you can destroy enough evidence, and deny loud enough, you can get through life with a complete lack of integrity. Case closed.
Out of the Deflategate story, the NFL has established new, more rigorous responsibilities for game officials regarding checking the inflation levels of footballs before, during, and presumably after the game.
However, out of all this, I have a question that pertains to how we handle ourselves as HS officials:
I really intended to post this after my game last Friday, but forgot about it until I saw the news story this morning.
Last week, I had a kicker come out for the kickoff with a ball (although I already had a ball) and said it was the kicking ball...now, I know, "there is no such thing as a "K" ball in high school"...when I felt the ball, it was clearly under-inflated. But it was a JV game and, right or wrong, I let him swap the ball. It bugged me afterwards, but I didn't have the experience in Texas to know "how things are done", and I have yet to see any of the experienced officials I've worked with bringing a gauge to check inflation.
So, with all that said, here is the question:
In Texas, how/if/when are balls checked to ensure they meet the specifications laid out in the rulebook? and how much are officials here caring about this?
(prompt replies before tonight's games are appreciated)
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IME, no one ever checked the balls with gauge or anything like that, but I have heard of a few crews who do so.
For the most part, "does it look like a football" is enough, but we've tossed back balls that were obviously underinflated. When I was a B, I'd toss back any ball the kicker brought out that was marked as a kicking ball.
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When I was a B, I'd toss back any ball the kicker brought out that was marked as a kicking ball.
Similarly, we solved the problem another way.
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OK, my B checks and marks all game balls from both teams before our game. If a ball is not marked we will throw it out. This wouldn't stop someone letting some air out of a ball after we marked it but I don't think they could let out much or my flanks would feel it. That being said I have never checked inflation at a sub-varsity game.
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I don't have a problem if they want to bring in a certain ball to kick with that's already been tested and approved by the BJ. If they want to call that a K ball, fine. But 1) we aren't going to allow a new "K" ball in to the game that's been tested and 2) we aren't going to allow them to swap in a ball to punt with if there is no otherwise needed ball exchange before 4th down.
Now, this is for Varsity.
For subvarsity, just check the balls as they come out and discard the ones you don't want to use.
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Similarly, we solved the problem another way.
I probably should have said "meant", not "marked".
If we (inadvertently) let them kick an onside kick with one of those bouncy, slick, terrible excuses for a ball, I always enjoyed forcing them to play offense with it, too.
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On Varsity Games we (the BJ) checks the pressure for every game ball, and them put our "crew" mark on it. Only those balls are allowed in the game. If someone had me a non marked ball on the sideline -- I toss it back to the ball boy and ask for another.
In Subvarsity -- I never measure, but I rarely let me them kick with a ball of their choice except to start each half. When I referee or umpire 3/4 man games, I usually make them use the ball they scored with to kick. Good enough to play offense with, good enough to kick. I will not let then change balls. They are not entitled under the rules to use the ball of their choice. The officials have the exclusive jurisdiction to rule on the legality of the ball. They are not allowed to use "special" balls.
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Exclusive jurisdiction? Next thing you'll say is it is an abuse of discretion for the LJ to let them use a ball of their choosing!
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I was a part of a varsity game a few years back (chains).
Balls were checked in. When Team A took the field during the 1st Qtr, their footballs were noticeably lower than the allotted air (11.5-13.5 ?).
Question, what do you do then if all the "checked" footballs have been altered.
Crew took possession of the game balls at half and aired them back up and the same thing happened. When Team A had their 1st possession in the 3Q, they were all lowered.
The HC was questioned and responded "I have no idea what you are talking about."
What happens in this case? A penalty? UIL report?
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I was a part of a varsity game a few years back (chains).
Balls were checked in. When Team A took the field during the 1st Qtr, their footballs were noticeably lower than the allotted air (11.5-13.5 ?).
Question, what do you do then if all the "checked" footballs have been altered.
Crew took possession of the game balls at half and aired them back up and the same thing happened. When Team A had their 1st possession in the 3Q, they were all lowered.
The HC was questioned and responded "I have no idea what you are talking about."
What happens in this case? A penalty? UIL report?
At a minimum, an incident report should be filed. If I thought this was a deliberate issue, after reinflating them at halftime, I would consider having the BJ carry his needle and pump and check and adjust them every time a ball came in, or given custody to the chain crew only. If coach had a problem, he could call the Chapter.
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I was a part of a varsity game a few years back (chains).
Balls were checked in. When Team A took the field during the 1st Qtr, their footballs were noticeably lower than the allotted air (11.5-13.5 ?).
Question, what do you do then if all the "checked" footballs have been altered.
Crew took possession of the game balls at half and aired them back up and the same thing happened. When Team A had their 1st possession in the 3Q, they were all lowered.
The HC was questioned and responded "I have no idea what you are talking about."
What happens in this case? A penalty? UIL report?
If things were so bad that the Crew had to recheck/re-inflate the footballs at halftime, I would let the coach know that if they came back deflated again we are going to use the opposing team footballs for the remainder of the game.
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Well, since TASO says teams can use illegal footballs, why worry about how much air they have. If they are low, tell the team and file a report.http://www.refstripes.com/forum/Smileys/classic/stirthepot.gif