RefStripes.com

Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: cbrunnjo on August 19, 2012, 10:07:33 AM

Title: Signaling device
Post by: cbrunnjo on August 19, 2012, 10:07:33 AM: I had a varsity scrimmage yesterday and the offensive coordinator had a wooded train whistle around his neck that he used to make some kind of signal.

Is this device legal to be used? Where can I find this ruling located at?
Title: Re: Signaling device
Post by: Atlanta Blue on August 19, 2012, 11:04:04 AM: Well, 1-6-1 says:

Communication devices, other than audio recorder, Local Area
Network (LAN) phones and/or headsets, including but not limited to mobile phones,
still photograph(s), film, analog or digital video(s) and/or Internet depictions, shall
not be used for coaching purposes during the game or between periods.

Is this a "communication device"? Maybe, but it certainly isn't the type of thing this rule was meant to prevent. This is supposed to prevent using cameras/printouts during the game, having radios in player headsets, etc.

If it doesn't sound like an official's whistle, and he's not doing it to distract the other team's signals, I would leave it alone.
Title: Re: Signaling device
Post by: mbyron on August 19, 2012, 11:54:55 AM: Quote from: Atlanta Blue on August 19, 2012, 11:04:04 AM
If it doesn't sound like an official's whistle, and he's not doing it to distract the other team's signals, I would leave it alone.

Agree with AB's interp of 1-6-1, and agree with this advice.

If the opposing coach wants to make a stink about it, I would tell him that I'm ruling it legal for this game but will take it up with the state.
Title: Re: Signaling device
Post by: HLinNC on August 19, 2012, 01:49:17 PM: Ah geez, what next?

B1- "What the's call?"
B2 - "Cover 3, I think"

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RVvvxDZlfQ/TbjlsvIoI8I/AAAAAAAABLY/pGnCrzuolwA/s1600/34t53wfregrgergrg.jpg)
Title: Re: Signaling device
Post by: cbrunnjo on August 19, 2012, 01:56:47 PM: I did exactly what Byron suggest.
Title: Re: Signaling device
Post by: Roscoe on August 21, 2012, 05:38:23 PM: I have to disagree, he's clearly using the device to communicate with his quarterback and/or offence. Which according to the rule, doesn't fall under any of the legal device categories.
Title: Re: Signaling device
Post by: mbyron on August 21, 2012, 06:01:40 PM: Quote from: Roscoe on August 21, 2012, 05:38:23 PM
I have to disagree, he's clearly using the device to communicate with his quarterback and/or offence. Which according to the rule, doesn't fall under any of the legal device categories.
It's nothing like the prohibited ones either, which mostly pertain to images used for coaching purposes.
Title: Re: Signaling device
Post by: Roscoe on August 21, 2012, 07:42:02 PM: Also, a wooden train horn block is nothing more than a long fat wooden whistle with a different pitch.
Title: Re: Signaling device
Post by: Atlanta Blue on August 21, 2012, 09:13:52 PM: Quote from: Roscoe on August 21, 2012, 07:42:02 PM
Also, a wooden train horn block is nothing more than a long fat wooden whistle with a different pitch.

True, so there is no way it would be confused with an official's whistle.

I don't use one, never saw anyone that did, but in the grand scheme of things, I would leave it alone. Worst case, send a note to the state and let them deal with it. I think it's a non-issue.