Action before free kick

[SouthGARef]

Official hands the ball to the kicker. Kicker places the ball on the tee sideways as if he is going to onside kick. Receives his instructions and the RFP is blown. The kicker huddles with his team and they break quickly towards the ball. They stop and then the kicker re-positions the ball in such a way with that it is the "norm" for a free kick. They then regroup and kickoff normally. All of this is done before 25 seconds has expired following RFP.

Legal, right? I haven't looked it up myself but I can't recall a rule regarding it and a friend of mine says he looked and couldn't find anything saying it wasn't legal.

[bama_stripes]

Legal.

[Atlanta Blue]

Legal.  He can't change the SPOT of the ball (i.e., pitch it to a teammate as was discussed here earlier this week), but he is free to reposition it on the tee in the same spot.

We have new play clocks this year, and I have noticed the FJ hasn't started the clock on any kickoff yet.  If he isn't starting it, how do they know if all this happens in 25 seconds?

[zhntr]

6-1-2: A free kick shall be made from any point between the hash marks and on K's free-kick line. A punt may not be used for a free kick other than after a safety. Once designated, K must kick from that spot.

Had a coach that wanted the kicker to run up to the ball, pick it  up, toss it to another player across the field who would hold it and another k would kick it. I have no idea what he was trying to accomplish 

[SouthGARef]

We have new play clocks this year, and I have noticed the FJ hasn't started the clock on any kickoff yet.  If he isn't starting it, how do they know if all this happens in 25 seconds?

This happens at a school that doesn't have a visible 25 second clock. You guys have one of the fancy ones where the FJ has the buttom, I presume? Those are great. From what I've seen the schools in my area of the state that have a visible 25 second clock all have to be controlled by someone in the pressbox. I've noticed that it's often forgotten to start it on a kickoff. Normally have to make a point of it in the pregame and/or in the locker room at halftime.

[Curious]

Legal.  He can't change the SPOT of the ball (i.e., pitch it to a teammate as was discussed here earlier this week), but he is free to reposition it on the tee in the same spot.

We have new play clocks this year, and I have noticed the FJ hasn't started the clock on any kickoff yet.  If he isn't starting it, how do they know if all this happens in 25 seconds?

WOW...play clocks, helmet monitors, Ralph Swearngin, and AB!  I'm moving to Atlanta!

[Atlanta Blue]

You guys have one of the fancy ones where the FJ has the buttom, I presume? Those are great.

Yes.  I looked at a number of different models before I bought these.  The problem with the one controlled from the press box is that it requires an additional clock operator.  That means an additional $50 per game cost to us.  I didn't want to get into that rut.

The control of the play clock is simple.  The FJ wears an adjustable armband.  The control is one button.  If the clock is not on 25, a push of the button resets it.  Once reset, a push starts it.  Unless there was a timeout, there really is no need to reset it.  It will run down during the play and automatically reset to 25 seconds.  Once the clock reaches zero, the armband vibrates, so the FJ can watch the snap and his keys, and not even look at the play clock.

We have only had one home game so far, and the FJ said it took a few minutes to get used to it.  But once he did, he loved it.  Biggest problem is getting the armband back from the FJ after the game!  He runs off the field, and I have to send a manager to chase him.

[SouthGARef]

Yes.  I looked at a number of different models before I bought these.  The problem with the one controlled from the press box is that it requires an additional clock operator.  That means an additional $50 per game cost to us.  I didn't want to get into that rut.

The control of the play clock is simple.  The FJ wears an adjustable armband.  The control is one button.  If the clock is not on 25, a push of the button resets it.  Once reset, a push starts it.  Unless there was a timeout, there really is no need to reset it.  It will run down during the play and automatically reset to 25 seconds.  Once the clock reaches zero, the armband vibrates, so the FJ can watch the snap and his keys, and not even look at the play clock.

We have only had one home game so far, and the FJ said it took a few minutes to get used to it.  But once he did, he loved it.  Biggest problem is getting the armband back from the FJ after the game!  He runs off the field, and I have to send a manager to chase him.

Yea, that extra $50/game can really start to add up and should be factored in. Love that it vibrates at zero so that the FJ doesn't have to stare down the clock. Really wish the state would mandate visible 25 second clocks. I know there's the concern about the price, but give schools a three year window to get it done or something. Is the price of your system something you can share? I understand if not.

The only thing you said that worries me a bit is that the play clock automatically resets to 25 after it strikes 0. Obviously this seems helpful so that the FJ doesn't have to reset it manually after each play, but I tell my play clock operator when I'm working a game with a visible clock to leave it at 0 if we have a delay of game so the coach can actually look up at see the 0 on the clock. Small thing, but it could be helpful. Not a dealbreaker though.

[bama_stripes]

AB, how much does the armband system cost?

[FLAHL]

I operated a 25 second clock from the press box for a playoff game 3 or 4 years ago (I was the alternate, and it gave me something to do).  I was told to turn the 25 second clock after the snap, and not reset it until the play ended.  The clock didn't buzz or make any noise when it expired.  Based on AB's post above, it sounds like I should have let the clock run to zero during the play.  I haven't had a 25 second clock on the field since then.  What is the proper mechanic, just in case I ever have another visible 25 second clock?

[Rulesman]

Let it run.

[Atlanta Blue]

Actually, I was wrong, it doesn't automatically reset to 25, it stays at zero.  One push of the button resets it, one more push starts it.

Total cost was $5500, but that includes a second controller that we can also use on the segment timer clock we put on the pratice field.  The second controller also has more functionality (e.g., can reset to different times such as for an NCAA game), but it is not handheld, it would be operated from the press box.

Clock:
http://www.victorygameclocks.com/wireless.html

Armband (except most wear it on the bicep, not the wrist):
http://www.victorygameclocks.com/controller.html

[bama_stripes]

$5500 to save $250 per year in officials fees?  That's a mighty long payback schedule.

[Atlanta Blue]

$5500 to save $250 per year in officials fees?  That's a mighty long payback schedule.

No, doesn't work that way.  $5500 for this system, between $4500-5000 for a "traditional" system.  Average 6 home games a year, so costs would be $300.  My payback is ~2-3 years for a superior system, and we can use it for JV games as an added bonus.

[bama_stripes]

No, doesn't work that way.  $5500 for this system, between $4500-5000 for a "traditional" system.  Average 6 home games a year, so costs would be $300.  My payback is ~2-3 years for a superior system, and we can use it for JV games as an added bonus.

That makes more sense.  I though you already had a system & were just upgrading to save the ECO fee.