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Football Officiating => NCAA Discussion => Topic started by: ABoselli on November 25, 2010, 08:56:00 AM
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Although hard to see on TV broadcasts sometimes, I will pick up on the R giving the "Iron Cross" for an A substitution but I don't always see the U coming up to prevent a snap.
My supervisor so far has not ascribed to the mechanic so I'm not conversant in all the aspects.
Can anyone tell me what they do as far as who recognizes the substitution (always the R? Any wing official on A's sideline?) and what the U is supposed to do when the R goes up with the cross?
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NCAA Mechanics for Administration of Substitution Rule
From the CFO:
To help simplify the application of Rule 3-5, consider that the elements for Team A involve either a
huddle or no huddle. If Team A is in a huddle and sends in a substitution, Team B must be alert and
be prepared to react promptly. In the absence of Team A breaking the huddle quickly and rushing to
the line, Team B is not afforded any additional time to match up. If Team A breaks the huddle with 12,
it is an immediate foul; if they fail to send the replaced player out of the huddle after the substitute
enters the huddle (3 seconds) it is an immediate foul. If the replaced player clearly leaves the huddle
first, and then the huddle breaks and is not hurrying to the LOS before the substitute leaves the field,
then Team A has met its requirements and Team B must be prepared to play in a normal manner.
If Team A is in a no huddle formation and substitutes, or if they have already broken the huddle and a
substitute then enters the field, either of these situations will trigger the administration of Rule 3-5-2-
e. If Team A does not substitute and is in a hurry up mode, Team B must be prepared to react
promptly and is not afforded any match-up provisions. These are the mechanics we will use for this
rule.
The Referee is primarily responsible to signal with extended hands/arms with closed fists straight
out to his side (make a “t”) when Team A is substituting and Team B is allowed a match up
opportunity.
The flank officials on the Team A sideline should also be aware of and signal when Team A
substitutes in match-up situations, as can officials on the opposite side to assist in recognition by
the Referee. Because of his position deep in the middle, the BJ can also assist greatly in
recognizing substitutions and signal to assist the R.
The Umpire should make a habit of quickly glancing at the Referee as he is coming off the ball
after placement. Should he notice the Referee with extended hands at any point, this will alert him
to get back over or stay over the ball until the Referee clears him by dropping his extended hands
and pointing at the Umpire. As you are waiting for the signal, make note of your best exit route so
that you are clear of players when the ball is snapped.
Once the Referee activates the substitution rule by extending his hands, he should monitor the
defense to allow them reasonable time to match up, position their players and allow substitutes to
leave the field.
It is possible for Team A to substitute so late and Team B even when reacting promptly to not be in
position prior to the play clock expiring that a delay of game penalty on the offense is warranted.
The Umpire should be alert to look back at the Referee regularly after he has spotted the ball and
moved to his position to notice when the Referee has extended his hands, which will happen when
late substitutes come in. At that time, just move quickly back up to the ball and hold your position
there until cleared by the Referee. It is because the Umpire is most often looking toward the
offense (and the Referee) and he is the person who must step in and prevent the snap that we
want the Referee to be our quarterback in this situation.
If we are delayed in getting to the ball to prevent a snap, we will stop the game and give Team A a
warning that it must allow Team B to match up (“Do-Over”). Further attempts by Team A to create
a defensive disadvantage in this manner will result in a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty.
Any official should be prepared to step in and shut down a play that he notices falls within this
substitution rule as especially in hurry up situations, dead ball actions involving the previous play
often prevent covering officials from being fully aware that conditions have been created that
trigger this rule.
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The R will usually pick up the signal from any of the deep wings and/or short wings. I'm an H and if I notice subs from my sideline I will verbally tell the R and signal, usually can't tell if there are subs on the other side.
The U will see the R's signal and look for defensive subs, if they are trying to sub, he will come up, if not he lets it go
On a side note with substitutions and signals, we had some teams this year, use an offensive player to come near the sideline to get the play verbally from a coach, never went off the field and was never a substitute, but it appeared as he ran back towards the huddle as he was a sub, we had to talk as a crew to make sure we werent holding them up if team B started subbing, anyone else run into that?
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So now I'm even more confused as to why there would be a signal from the R without the U stepping up to the ball.
Are there any conferences that have modified the procedure?
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In the CFO West (Big 12, Mt. West, Southland) the R will only signal when he sees B trying to match up(within 3 sec. approx.). The wings and deeps signal as always when they have subs coming in.