Winter Coordinator's Meeting

[TXMike]

The CFO Coordinator's Winter Meeting Report is attached.  A few interesting things in there about likely rules and mechanics changes.

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[EVW]

Mechanics changes seem to have an NFL influence:
R's punch-out instead of the "T" for media timeouts. 
Sideline assistant thumbs up on scoring plays, somewhat similar to the NFL's field communicator (those in the teal hat/shirt with headset).
I like the proposal of switching sidelines at the half, just like the NFL does.

Interesting report on the 8th official.  I wonder how soon it could be implemented nationwide. 
Any thoughts or predictions?

[Legacy Zebra]

I don't get the point in switching sidelines at half. It seems counterproductive to sideline control and building rapport if you switch halfway through the game. Anybody know the logic behind that?

[Johnponz]

I don't agree with it, but the idea is that the official will not become cozy with a particular coach and make calls to appease one sideline.  Additionally, if there is a problem with a coach, the official will only have to put up with it for a half or less before getting a whole new sideline.

Personally, I do not like the idea of having a different official in charge of the chains the first and second half, but I did not get a vote in this decision.

[Morningrise]

Will the H and L have to learn each other's passing mechanics, and switch at halftime? That doubles the complexity and increases the risk of error. In addition, there's no opportunity to conference and make adjustments at halftime. It'll be too late; the mechanics to be discussed won't be in effect in the second half.

Or perhaps we keep letting the H drift on a pass, foregoing the advantage of letting the L see the down box as a point of reference. Either way, there's a cost. And even still, the mechanics cannot be completely identical as before. An 8-yard buttonhook on 3rd and 8 is handled quite differently on an experienced H's side than on an experienced L's side.

Furthermore the ball rotation mechanics also change at halftime. Think why the "extra" ball is always on the F's side. It's because that's the side where the officials aren't busy with the chains after a COP. But now that's the S's side half the time. So does the S handle the extra ball in the first half? Or does that stay with the F, putting the extra ball on the same side as the chains? Either way, it makes one thing or another more complicated for at least four officials and four ball persons. This could jeopardize game flow.

[Rulesman]

...the idea is that the official will not become cozy with a particular coach and make calls to appease one sideline.

Is this really a problem at this level? If it is, we have problems much bigger than appeasement.

[TXMike]

Is this really a problem at this level? If it is, we have problems much bigger than appeasement.

  You are absolutely right!  I doubt any fear of "appeasement" had one iota to do with this.  Someone that is that easily influenced will not last at that level. 

[Johnponz]

I am open to the possibility that I am wrong about the reasoning behind this change.   

Instead of criticizing the reasoning why not offer other plausible reasons.  I really cannot think of any other possibilities.  It is easy to say someones proposed reason is wrong when you do not offer alternatives.

[Andrew McCarthy]

Will the H and L have to learn each other's passing mechanics, and switch at halftime? That doubles the complexity and increases the risk of error. In addition, there's no opportunity to conference and make adjustments at halftime. It'll be too late; the mechanics to be discussed won't be in effect in the second half.

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Furthermore the ball rotation mechanics also change at halftime. Think why the "extra" ball is always on the F's side. It's because that's the side where the officials aren't busy with the chains after a COP. But now that's the S's side half the time. So does the S handle the extra ball in the first half? Or does that stay with the F, putting the extra ball on the same side as the chains? Either way, it makes one thing or another more complicated for at least four officials and four ball persons. This could jeopardize game flow.

I've heard the mechanics will remain the same.  L holds, H drifts in both halves.

I'm guessing the extra ball is always on the pressbox side but we shall see.

[RedTD]

Guys with a lot of experience "probably" won't have trouble adapting to two sets of mechanics in a game. But, as is the case in many of these changes, they don't take into account the Div II and III guys who are just moving up from 5 (and in some cases 4 man) mechanics. The learning curve at that level is tough already and ball rotation is always tough for new guys. Either they get so wrapped up ball rotation they forget about dead ball officiating or they don't have a clue on what to do with the ball when there is a change of possession. 

[Rulesman]

I am open to the possibility that I am wrong about the reasoning behind this change.   

Instead of criticizing the reasoning why not offer other plausible reasons.  I really cannot think of any other possibilities.  It is easy to say someones proposed reason is wrong when you do not offer alternatives.

I merely asked the question. Is a change really necessary? If so, why?

[RS]

I say we rotate all officials clockwise after every possession.

That way coaches get to see us work at every position.

 

[Johnponz]

No offense, Rulesman.  I have tough skin (have to when your an official  )

I agree with you that this should not be a concern at the college level, but apparently it is because those are the only 2 reasons I can think of for the change.  I am still curious if anyone can think of other plausible reasons.

Maybe, it is as simple as the NFL does it that way (they rotate the chain as well, but that would not work at the college level because there usually is not an auxiliary marker for the pressbox to see), but that makes you wonder why the NFL adopted the mechanic, and unfortunately I believe it goes back to the original 2 reasons I cited (again I would like to see other plausible reasons).

[NVFOA_Ump]

I say we rotate all officials clockwise after every possession.

That way coaches get to see us work at every position.

 

I once (many years ago) did a game where the R was a highly rated college official who I had never met.  While we were having our pregame it became clear that the crew was not in good shape due to some injuries.  Decision was made for me to be the back judge (5 man mechanics).  It wasn't a pretty sight.  Since that game I've worked with the same R 15-20 times and his initial greeting is usually "You're not the back judge are you?"   

[Magician]

Maybe, it is as simple as the NFL does it that way (they rotate the chain as well, but that would not work at the college level because there usually is not an auxiliary marker for the pressbox to see), but that makes you wonder why the NFL adopted the mechanic, and unfortunately I believe it goes back to the original 2 reasons I cited (again I would like to see other plausible reasons).

I'm guessing the NFL influence may be a key reason.  Many of the coordinators are current or former NFL officials.

[bossman72]

I'm guessing the NFL influence may be a key reason.  Many of the coordinators are current or former NFL officials.

Yep.  Seems like everything we do now is because the NFL does it.

[BFlushR]

What is the mechanic for U and BJ on kickoffs?  Do they change sides at half with everyone else?

[Magician]

What is the mechanic for U and BJ on kickoffs?  Do they change sides at half with everyone else?

From what I heard today, no.  We'll have a different partner each half on the free kick lines.

[bricord]

The defense sub rule is a joke. A football game is a marathon not a sprint. Why not just go back to a straight 25 sec clock so the defense has possibly even more time until the ball goes down. Last time I checked those that had more endurance were rewarded by grinding down their opponents. The defense is supposed to try to figure out what the offense is trying to do. The guys trying to highjack this rule run the same huddle very play type of game the pros run, this isn't the pros, let the college game be whatever that coach desires amongst the rules, not the adjusted rules. GET YOUR TEAM IN BETTER SHAPE!