Timeout Mechanic

[TampaSteve]

Just a timeout mechanic I picked up from a college guy 5-7 years ago.  If this helps, great.
All too often I will go to a HS game and after the timeout (tweet-tweet) 45-second warning it takes teams another 30-45 seconds for the RFP.
Why are we waiting for them to linger, walk back on the field?

When BJ gives his 45-second notification, LJ & HL, instead of "let's go guys" - and getting ignored by the coach;  each should tell the team huddled on their sideline, "this play will be chopped in in 15 seconds" - and then do a verbal countdown 15, 14, 13....all this while R is looking to each with a look of "here we go".

No motivating, begging needed.

From my experience, the results will impress you...

[AlUpstateNY]

There are a lot of different methods of herding cats, some a lot more effective than others, but the subsequent RFP whistle is usually a great attention grabber.

[FBUmp]

Counting down just seems a bit verbose to me. Just saying.

[CalhounLJ]

Yeah, I think I'll pass on the countdown. Just blow it RFP when you're supposed to and let them figure it out..

[FLAHL]

Yeah, I think I'll pass on the countdown. Just blow it RFP when you're supposed to and let them figure it out..

If both teams are still conferring on the sidelines, and we blow the RFP, what happens if A hustles on to the field and is ready to play while B is still near the sideline?  We can't let the play go off because it's a recipe for disaster.  Would we then blow it dead and call B for delay of game? 

[AlUpstateNY]

If both teams are still conferring on the sidelines, and we blow the RFP, what happens if A hustles on to the field and is ready to play while B is still near the sideline?  We can't let the play go off because it's a recipe for disaster.  Would we then blow it dead and call B for delay of game?

Presuming there has been some sort of verbal warning alerting each team of the TO soon expiring, the RFP whistle is a clear announcement of the 25 seconds available to call a play.  If either team is CLEARLY not ready to play, play should not be ALLOWED to begin (An Umpire over the ball can prevent premature snapping), but if the 25 seconds elapse, a DOG penalty is appropriate.

Again, sometimes "herding cats" requires additional attention.  A little extra focus on getting the teams off their sidelines before declaring the ball ready, can save a lot of unnecessary aggravation.  Hopefully it won't become necessary, and should be very rare, but a DOG flag PRIOR to declaring the ball RFP can be a definite attention getter, that can avoid subsequent problems. 

[Rulesman]

If both teams are still conferring on the sidelines, and we blow the RFP, what happens if A hustles on to the field and is ready to play while B is still near the sideline?  We can't let the play go off because it's a recipe for disaster.  Would we then blow it dead and call B for delay of game?

The worst "disaster" I foresee is 6 points. Team B will only pull that stunt once.

[Tom.OH]

If both teams are still conferring on the sidelines, and we blow the RFP, what happens if A hustles on to the field and is ready to play while B is still near the sideline?  We can't let the play go off because it's a recipe for disaster.  Would we then blow it dead and call B for delay of game?

And if you are working a youth game, A coach is yelling "run it...run it!!!"...

[FLAHL]

The worst "disaster" I foresee is 6 points. Team B will only pull that stunt once.

If that were the case, this would be easy. The worst disaster is somebody gets seriously hurt, and the WH has to answer this question - "why did you let the play go off when you could see that one team wasn't ready?"

[Atlanta Blue]

The worst "disaster" I foresee is 6 points. Team B will only pull that stunt once.

Absolutely not!  NEVER, EVER let the offense run a play without the defense on the field.  Flag them for DOG, flag the head coach for a USC, eject him if you have to.  But letting the offense run a play without the defense on the field IS a recipe for disaster.  The defense will suddenly see what's going on, and players will start running to get in the play.  The offense, thinking there is no defense, aren't all playing at full speed.  Contact starts coming from places where people don't expect it, on people who aren't expecting it.  That's when injuries happen.

If the offense is ready and the defense hasn't responded to your call for them to come back, drop a flag on them.  You will get their attention.

[Rulesman]

My response was tongue-in-cheek, but you guys have too much time on your hands thinking up things that rarely, if ever, happen. In my 40+ years on the field, I NEVER saw this happen. NEVER. This is much ado about nothing.

[HLinNC]

I'm not launching an Apollo mission.  If my sideline doesn't come out after my verbal and R's RFP, I'll let the R handle it.  Counting down sounds childish.  I've worked college sidelines quite a while.  Never heard a wing do that.

[AlUpstateNY]

After ANY charged T/O, or unusual interruption, it's been a good idea, and a way to avoid nonsense, to get the attention of each team's Captain, and personally confirm they're team is ready to go, BEFORE declaring RTP.  If for some reason the response is negative, you can deal with whatever the problem is without anything foolish happening.

It also helps build the relationship between Captains and Referees (which may subsequently be helpful)

[theunofficialofficial]

Absolutely not!  NEVER, EVER let the offense run a play without the defense on the field.  Flag them for DOG, flag the head coach for a USC, eject him if you have to.  But letting the offense run a play without the defense on the field IS a recipe for disaster.  The defense will suddenly see what's going on, and players will start running to get in the play.  The offense, thinking there is no defense, aren't all playing at full speed.  Contact starts coming from places where people don't expect it, on people who aren't expecting it.  That's when injuries happen.

If the offense is ready and the defense hasn't responded to your call for them to come back, drop a flag on them.  You will get their attention.

Completely agree AB. It's every officials duty to get the teams back on the field when the timeout ends.

If A or B is still lagging while the other team correctly hustled back to position hit em with the DOG. Much safer and sends a strong signal that type of play won't be tolerated.

[stevegarbs]

Counting down just seems a bit verbose to me. Just saying.

I see (heard) what you did there.   

[bama_stripes]

It's every officials duty to get the teams back on the field when notify them that there are 15 seconds left until the timeout ends.