Do you use two clips on the chain?

[TxJim]

Yikes!  Here's a good reason to use two clips as your system for managing line to gain on the chain. 

Situation: In 2nd qtr of WVU vs Iowa State game, on 1 and 10 from B-43, Team A gains four, fumbles and apparently recovered by Team B at B-37. Chains apparently reset to B's ball at 1-10 at B-37. Then, replay review, fumble reversed, A's ball on B-39, 2nd down.  After 2nd down in which A holds, crew (or Team B coach?) realizes chains were not reset properly. R then announces "The Line to gain before the reversal of the fumble is called into question.  We will verify with replay where the line to gain should be"  Replay determined the line to gain.  Nice to have replay.  Was not pretty at all.

We don't have replay. I use 2 clips and tell my chain crew don't remove the old series clip until we've played a down on the new series clip. Why not use two, especially when there is a clip guy?
Should this be a stated mechanic? Thoughts?

[JasonTX]

We also have the down box operator place a bean bag on the ground on the line of scrimmage.  We've had to use that on a couple of occasions where the box operator got happy feet and we had the bean bag to come back to.

[RunRickyRun]

Big 12 crews routinely use 2 clips (the second being removed after first legal snap); have man on down box write D&D on stick for each snap, and use a previous spot box on the opposite side of the field which could be used to reset the chains after the replay (since the previous spot was a first down).

I didn't see the situation unfold but it's disappointing that all those safeguards would fail in the same instant.

[TxSkyBolt]

We also have the down box operator place a bean bag on the ground on the line of scrimmage.  We've had to use that on a couple of occasions where the box operator got happy feet and we had the bean bag to come back to.

Who picks up the bean bag?

[blindref757]

clip guy

[Joe Stack]

Wouldn't it be a better idea for each chain person to carry a bean bag and mark his spot as a backup? They can pick it up when they move.

We had a stadium chain crew move early and completely mess us up this year. It was still our responsibility, but I would have loved to have 2-3 backups in place.

[Rulesman]

Wouldn't it be a better idea for each chain person to carry a bean bag and mark his spot as a backup? They can pick it up when they move.

The problem is bean bags are moveable objects. A play along the sideline doesn't guarantee the bag remains in place. The better solution is to have the man on down box write D&D on the stick as was suggested. If you have the luxury of an AO or foul recorder, he could also keep up with it on a clipboard.

[tbarnes13]

Always 2 clips. On a new series, have clip man put new clip on, and take off 2nd after first down. Makes them get set faster too.

[fencewire]

always 2, and if they object, I explain to them why 2 clips and they typically take the kool-aid...

[clearwall]

When I run chains, I do the writing of D&D on a piece of tape on the box. That basically serves as the second clip. I would worry with all the no-huddle you could get screwed up on the 2 clips business

[RunRickyRun]

I would worry with all the no-huddle you could get screwed up on the 2 clips business

I don't know about most HS games, but the Big 12 uses a designated clip man - the easiest job with the best seat in the house.  On a first down made, you place the new clip then go stand by the previous clip.  Once the ball is legally snapped, remove the previous clip and move downfield to the next likely spot for the clip.  When the line to gain is achieved you're already standing in position as the chains move past you.  (a side benefit is that it helps clear the way for the chains on a first down)

Few offenses move faster than Baylor and the above system has never proved too slow. 

[TXMike]

Welllllll.....if some of what we saw this year is any indication of the future, we are going to have to start having someone write down EVERY down and distance and yard line since there seems to be a move afoot to go back into the past and correct things that happened a few plays back.

[Joe Stack]

A play along the sideline doesn't guarantee the bag remains in place.

There's no guarantee of anything, but honestly, how often is there a play where the chains are forced out of the way? 1-2 times a game at the most? If the bag moves, it moves. Its simply a backup to the backup.

and take off 2nd after first down

This is a good idea except for one huge problem: If first down gains 3-8 yards, the down box is out of the reach of either chain member and either can't be set or must be put down for the time it takes to retrieve the  other clip. So it will have to stay on there until the downs are reset and its the responsibility of the guy at the first down spot to know which clip is in play.

[Rulesman]

This is a good idea except for one huge problem: If first down gains 3-8 yards, the down box is out of the reach of either chain member and either can't be set or must be put down for the time it takes to retrieve the  other clip. So it will have to stay on there until the downs are reset and its the responsibility of the guy at the first down spot to know which clip is in play.

The solution is a "clip man" - the 4th guy on the chain crew.

[bossman72]

I instruct the clip guy to not remove the old clip until the snap of 1st down of the new series - since that is the point of no return.