Two clip mechanic question.

[HLinNC]

First off, I've never utilized it.  We use school provided chain crews at all levels.  The varsity crews are all experienced for the most part.  Maybe once or twice I've had a crew tell me they were trying it or doing it but I have never inserted my particular will on a crew and told them to use it.  I'm not opposed to it but I was n't brought up to use it when I was trained.

That all being said, I am assigned a private school rivalry game on Saturday afternoon.  My referee is a younger, newer white hat and does have some collegiate background so he is exposed to the two clip mechanic.  He has expressed a desire for me to use it for this game.

I have read up on the thread from last July so I think I have the concept grasped.  My question is equipment related.  Most schools have a clip with the chains.  I don't recall if this school uses a "professional" clip or something homemade.  I always carry back-up clips that I make myself.  Somewhere in my gear box, I have my first "rotary phone dial" clip that I used when I first started.

Should I go with what they have and what I bring to make the two or should I go to the hardware store and get a different color of nylon rope to make a distinct second clip from my normal yellow?

My concern is I go to this "extra" trouble and then my chain crew says "Now which clip was where?" in the odd occurrence that we would actually need to do it.  We will only have 3 people on the chain crew so there will not be a "clip man" which lessens the effectiveness the way I understand it.  Part of me wants to just say, "let me handle my chains as I do" but I am trying to be cooperative.

[Ironhead17]

Without a "Clip man" it will be a chore to handle. Personally I don't see the need for it. If you can get the one on for each series you'll be doing good. I have two clips and they are not identical and we use them during varsity games but seldom if ever have had a need for more than one.

[Rulesman]

Without a "Clip man" it will be a chore to handle. Personally I don't see the need for it. If you can get the one on for each series you'll be doing good. I have two clips and they are not identical and we use them during varsity games but seldom if ever have had a need for more than one.

Agree the need is "seldom", but its that ONE TIME where preparation and opportunity come together and you are saved from disaster.

[Ironhead17]

Is there a scenario or thread you can share that illustrates how that second clip saves the day?

[HLinNC]

I imagine it saves the day if you've/the crew moved the chains after a punt too quickly and you get a late reported live ball foul and now you've got to go back to where you were.

It would be way down on the list of things I would be prepared to deal with but I understand the philosophy.  Not to say it hasn't happened but the occurrence has been rare in my experience at the varsity level.

[Rulesman]

Is there a scenario or thread you can share that illustrates how that second clip saves the day?

Have you ever had the chains moved too soon and the clip removed before you discovered moving the chains was an "oops?"

[Ironhead17]

Having work a number of sub-varsity games, I've had my share of " WITHAYD???!!!" moments. Recently we had an IW on a punt and had to go back after the chains moved, on their on volition, and yes it caused the coach to get the red arse. So having the second clip is critical. My question wasn't presented like it should have been. The "first clip", the one seldom used, often ignored, and misunderstood - how has that clip "saved the day?"
 

[J12]

As a fan, I've seen the chain moved prematurely many, many times. But I can't recall ever having seen the CLIP changed until the officials got the ball spotted for the next play and if not actually after the RFP, pretty close to it. So unless the officials suddenly, just before the next play, realize an error was made, I don't see the need for a second clip. It seems to me that it's only useful if replay is involved.

[bossman72]

I really don't think it would be an extra hassle for the box man at all.  If you have one clip, he has to remove the old one and put it in a different place, so he's touching the chain twice.  If you have two clips, you are clipping the new one (more quickly since you already have it in your hand) and removing the old one, which is still two touches of the chain.  It seems more efficient, IMO

[Welpe]

It's a hassle when the box man has to remove the second clip after first down of the new series, which is how we were instructed to run the clips by the C-USA HLs when I ran chains a few years back.

I agree that I don't think you can run a second clip without a dedicated clip person.

[Etref]

The easiest way to use two clips is to have both on the chain at start of game. They should contrast in color or style.
Box man sets the box and chain holds while box man sets clip at appropriate spot. On next series,LTG he takes the other clip and uses it to mark at appropriate spot leaving the previous one in place. No different than before except he has to remember which is which.

[Welpe]

No different than before except he has to remember which is which.

Sometimes that is asking too much!

[bama_stripes]

I worked the chains for a D-II school when they first started the two-clip mechanic.
It really wasn't that hard -- attach the second clip after a new series was awarded, wait for the snap,
remove the old clip.

We used a three-man crew, but that was before anybody ran HUNH.