5 Man Mechanics - Interception

[JasonTX]

The mechanics manual is not clear on what to do for 5 man mechanics.

Team A throws a deep pass that is intercepted.  The LJ had drifted down and now the return is on and coming down his sideline. 

(A) He should get behind the runner and trail him to rule on anything out of bounds while the R has the goalline.

or

(B) He should try to stay in front of the runner and be waiting at the goalline and rule on the action at the pylon.

[DallasLJ]

The mechanics manual is not clear on what to do for 5 man mechanics.

Team A throws a deep pass that is intercepted.  The LJ had drifted down and now the return is on and coming down his sideline. 

(A) He should get behind the runner and trail him to rule on anything out of bounds while the R has the goalline.

or

(B) He should try to stay in front of the runner and be waiting at the goalline and rule on the action at the pylon.

  Generally, I am going with B.  I am going to try and stay ahead of the play -- and let the BJ and U clean up behind, if the play is coming my sideline.  If the play is on the H side of the field, I will slow up a bit and help clean up behind and H and R will have the GL.

[ETXZebra]

Jason, I don't know wing mechanics but I personally would prefer A. But I can't keep up with most DB's. 

[Etref]

A is correct

[TXPanhandle]

Agree on A

[DallasLJ]

A is correct

  Why as a Wing would you stand and let the play come at you for 20+ yards and then trail the play for a long way.  I would much rather stay ahead of the play.  I can watch blocks ahead of the runner better.  Again, the idea is long pass.  So, assume the ball is snapped at the 50 -- deep pass intercepted at the B5.  At the time of the pass I am probably at the B 25 - 30. I am not going to stop -- wait for the Runner to get to me, and then chase the play down from behind for 70 yards.  Now, the Runner may catch me at the A 25 or so, but I would rather try to get to the GL as soon as possible (while watching sidelines and blocks in front) to rule on GL / Pylon plays.  Two officials at the GL is better than 1 with 4 people (L, H, U  and B) trailing behind.

[JasonTX]

On this play the line judge started to back pedal but then stopped and let the runner pass him.  The play resulted in a fumble at the pylon with the ball touching or dang near touching the pylon.  Video in inconclusive.

The runner was very close to stepping out of bounds.  There were players in front that would have blocked his view of the runners feet had he been out in front.  But the downfall as mentioned was not being able to see the ball near the pylon.  The R was totally blocked out by players so he couldn't help out at all.  In 7 man we'd have both covered.

[blindref757]

As an R, I'm going to try and get to the GL ahead of the runner.  I want my L to officiate the play as best as he can...and my L is probably going to be behind the runner.  He runs a 19.4 backwards 40!

[yarnnelg]

If I am a wing, I am going to stand still and wait until the runner passes, then I am headed up the field. The White Hat better be beat feeting it to the goal line as if he were a back judge. If I'm running ahead of the play I am looking back over my shoulder ..... handle it like you would a normal play. Get the runner in front of you and trail.

20 years of doing it. You see everything coming at you then the normal trail position. Standing still you see the blocks on the flip better.  Otherwise looking back over your shoulder trying to stay ahead is doing nothing but duplicating what the White Hat is supposed to do.

[Golfdock]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I did A and it was more of an instinct call. He was almost OB with traffic. Once again thanks for the feedback.