Mechanics

[mantle]

For HL and LJ. I know the mechanics of the positions. My question is do you give signals to each other concerning players on the LOS or wide outs? Is it a good idea to inform each other? My concern is the LOS on the other side of the field. Sometimes it's hard to see if a wide out is on or off. That makes it difficult to determine four in the backfield. Especially at night on a poorly lighted field. Some say that it's looks bad to give signals and others say we signal all of the time. Just looking for any ideas or little tricks the HL and LJ do on a Friday night to be sure we have proper alignment.

[HLinNC]

The other side should not be yours to worry over. 

  I don't know of any regions that don't use some signals between wings.  We signal the widest receiver if he is off and closed downfield fist above the shoulder for four in the backfield each play. Some veterans still give the NF signal for unbalanced line if we are heavy on one side.

Anybody that says it looks bad to signal is either a dinosaur or hasn't ever watched college wings work or both.

[FBUmp]

For HL and LJ. I know the mechanics of the positions. My question is do you give signals to each other concerning players on the LOS or wide outs? Is it a good idea to inform each other? My concern is the LOS on the other side of the field. Sometimes it's hard to see if a wide out is on or off. That makes it difficult to determine four in the backfield. Especially at night on a poorly lighted field. Some say that it's looks bad to give signals and others say we signal all of the time. Just looking for any ideas or little tricks the HL and LJ do on a Friday night to be sure we have proper alignment.

Don't you indicate that a receiver is either on or off with his mechanics?

If so, doesn't your partner use the same mechanics?

[NJOfficial]

This is my first year and we just discussed this among ourselves and we are just signaling if the receiver on the end is off.  We are not signaling if he is on, they actually taught us in class not to signal if he is on.

[James]

NJ - We changed to be like that about 4 years ago too. It used to be that we would touch our cap rim for on, and fist in backfield for off.
Only valid for the last man on the line.

[FLAHL]

We also punch back if the widest guy on the LoS is behind the line.  No signal if he's on the line.  I check with the LJ to see if he has somebody punched back as well.  If we both have somebody punched back, and have 3 others in the backfield, we have 2 flags.  If we have 5 in the backfield and only 1 flag, we have an unhappy white hat.

[brettdj]

Eastern NC.  We have ON and OFF signal for the Widest player on our side.  Closed Fist toward Offense for OFF line, Closed Fist toward Defense for ON line.  We then have our other hand signalling 2 (hand on cheek), 3 (hand over heart), or 4( hand up and down at side) on the line our side of the snapper.

DC area when I was there, we just had OFF the line for the widest player, and we counted 4 in the backfield.

[fudilligas]

As the R on my crew I tell my wings that if they see me signal that we have 11 on offense, all I want them to do is count the backfield.  If we have more than 4 then it is an illegal formation.  They signal each other whether the last man is off the line.  I don't see a reason to signal on the line.  I also don't see a reason to bother with counting how many men on either side of the ball.  If we have 11 on offense and 4 or less in the backfield, then we have a legal formation.

[SCHSref]

In SC, we give signals for the two receivers closest to the sideline.  If I have one on and one off and no TE is covered, then I will give and open hand signal for each hand, one pointing toward the defense for on and one pointing toward the offense for off.

If a receiver is covering a TE, I close the fist for the hand pointing towards the defense.

If I have two receivers off, I will point two arms with an open hand back towards  the offense.

[HLinNC]

If I have two receivers off, I will point two arms with an open hand back towards  the offense.

Do you hold that signal or just give it and then drop?  If you hold that signal I can see you being at a disadvantage at the snap in trying to get off the line in coverage.  Just sitting hear at my desk I feel a sense of imbalance.

[Ralph Damren]

In Maine, we ask our wings to : (1) Fist into backfield if WR is off the LOS; (2) Fist with 2 fingers wagging if twins are both off; (3) No signal if WR is on LOS, but tapping top of cap if he's covering a potential eligible receiver.  ^talkR & U will read the wings signals and respond by : (1) Giving extended fist indicating 11 players on A; (2) Followed by "thumbs up" to indicate 7 man line; (3) If slot or TE is covered, tap cap and discretely point. Illegal formation is nearly always called by R & U. If umpire rubs his belly after play is completed, that indicates he is in need of a  .

[TampaSteve]

In Maine, we ask our wings to : (1) Fist into backfield if WR is off the LOS; (2) Fist with 2 fingers wagging if twins are both off; (3) No signal if WR is on LOS, but tapping top of cap if he's covering a potential eligible receiver.  ^talkR & U will read the wings signals and respond by : (1) Giving extended fist indicating 11 players on A; (2) Followed by "thumbs up" to indicate 7 man line; (3) If slot or TE is covered, tap cap and discretely point. Illegal formation is nearly always called by R & U. If umpire rubs his belly after play is completed, that indicates he is in need of a  .

I'm with Ralph for 1, 2.
As for (3:) 'hand to the cheek' for covered round these parts. BUT, in my opinion, that is H/L primarily to handle.  Sure, it's good for U, and/or even R too, to know (and put a 'hand to the cheek' too so everyone is on the same page)

Ultimately though, (my opinion) someone 'covered' is a H/L call.

Cant say I've ever seen "thumbs-up" for 7 on the line. - but hey, everyone is different.  As long as everyone is on the same page is what is important.

IF there is a 'covered' signal  that U will give, I highly recommend against pointing. - it really tips your hand (no pun).  sharp coaches, like Atl, will see this immediately.
Instead of pointing, maybe just a hand to the cheek to the H/L side of the LOS the player is covered.
i.e. right hand to cheek, the guy on the right side is covered (and is only applicable to the wing to the right side of U).

[TampaSteve]

In as far as the main topic, here's how guys do this round these parts:
*Guy nearest wing is off: punch back.
*2 guys nearest wing are off: hold "2" fingers in front of you, then punch back w/ 2 fingers.

Guy in motion: whomever's side he started on punches him off & keeps the punch-off until the snap.

That's really all.  no belts, caps, etc.

...and I covered general "covered" signals earlier.

[bama_stripes]

We use the punch-back only, and only for the player nearest the wing in the formation.  Hand on hat for covered eligible number.

[SCHSref]

Do you hold that signal or just give it and then drop?  If you hold that signal I can see you being at a disadvantage at the snap in trying to get off the line in coverage.  Just sitting hear at my desk I feel a sense of imbalance.

I hold until snap or if there is a shift away from me