CFO Bulletin 1

[TXMike]

Well this clears up some things


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[Morningrise]

So we don't use an iron cross after either a TD or a FK - that is, we don't guarantee the defense an opportunity to substitute - but we do slow things down enough to prevent the offense from using a hurry-up pace.

[TXMike]

Exactly how I read it.   Since there was no subbing we dont have to "inform" Team B there was a sub.  However we are not gonna let snap get off while they are running folks in to get in position.   

[TxBJ]

However we are not gonna let snap get off while they are running folks in to get in position.

I didn’t get that from the memo. If you mean the whole team is running around and they are not in any position to defend the play, I agree. If you mean they have a couple subs trying to get on and off they don’t get protection once everything is set and officials are in place.

I would like to have seen guidance on how to handle it after a kickoff if the offense comes out and is ready to play but the defense is still huddled on the sideline. How long do we give them before assessing a DOD as the 40 ticks down?

[JasonTX]

I think they are just wanting us to sloooowwww down somewhat so we don't end up with player coming on and off at the same time on team B.  Take a little time to get a football in and set up the chains and the Referee looks to see if all the officials are in position before allowing the snap.  Team A may be in hurry-up mode, but we are the ones setting the pace of play.  The ball isn't ready for play until we are.

[bctgp]

I didn't read anything into the memo that we are to slow down our normal process to get the ball ready for play. It also doesn't say we hurry up because the team putting the ball in play next did not substitute and are trying snap as soon as possible.

[TXMike]

"The Rules Committee did not intend for this to be an up-tempo opportunity for the offense to gain an advantage over the defense. Based on this intent, the officiating crew will control the pace of play on these plays and the following two interpretations are offered for clarity."

This seems VERY clear to me. WE control the pace which means WE decide when A can snap and WE are not gonna let A snap until B has gotten into position.  It does not specifically say what we do to control pace, i.e. change ball slowly, take our time getting into position, talk to chain crew, talk to each other, etc etc.  But this is clear...dont let A use the clock rule change to gain an advantage they did not have before.  Sooooo....in tghe past when would you blow the 25 sec RFP whistle?   That is when you wave the U off the ball now.

[clearwall]

I'm with Mike. Use common football sense and just control the game. Don't let B cheat, but if they're gonna lolly gag around, that's on them

[TxBJ]

Then why wouldn’t they just tell us to use substitution mechanics so it is visible and clear to all (officials, coaches, etc.)?

[JasonTX]

Then why wouldn’t they just tell us to use substitution mechanics so it is visible and clear to all (officials, coaches, etc.)?

Because that would be in conflict with the rules since nobody substituted.  In short, we are just doing our normal routine, but wink, wink, give the defense a chance to sub. 

[bossman72]

...

[bossman72]

Because that would be in conflict with the rules since nobody substituted.  In short, we are just doing our normal routine, but wink, wink, give the defense a chance to sub. 

Given this interpretation, offenses are going to sub.  They're not putting their QB on kick return team.  Now we have our normal iron cross mechanics.

[TxBJ]

Because that would be in conflict with the rules since nobody substituted.  In short, we are just doing our normal routine, but wink, wink, give the defense a chance to sub.

The rules (mechanics) tell us to do this when the offense subs. They don’t tell not to do it here so CFO could have had us do it if that were how they wanted it handled. Not doing creates more problems than it fixes.

[TxBJ]

Given this interpretation, offenses are going to sub.  They're not putting their QB on kick return team.  Now we have our normal iron cross mechanics.

But it also applies to extra points, like when an offense wants to go for two. Defense will be able to sub even though the offense does not.

I don’t think kickoffs would have been a problem anyway since we have to swap balls out, which takes a bit of extra time.

[Morningrise]

Here's how I interpret the substitution guidance nowadays. Please comment if you think I'm off base.


1. White intercepts Red's pass while grounded. The new Team A White rushes its starting offense onto the field and is ready to go. The R gives an iron cross. The new Team B Red dilly-dallies in a sideline huddle. What does the R do?

My answer based on previous years' guidance: After a fair number of seconds, start the PC. Keep the iron cross forever, but flag the new Team B for defensive DOG when the PC expires.


2. Team A gains two yards on a first down run up the middle. Team B for some reason attempts to sub eight players. Team A does not. What does the R do?

My answer based on previous years' guidance: Let them score a cheap touchdown.


3. Team A scores a touchdown. Team B attempts to sub eight players. Team A does not. Team A wants to snap the ball for a 2-point attempt. What does the R do?

My answer based on the bulletin: Slow them down for a couple seconds, but eventually wave the C/U away (when the play clock is... what? 20 maybe?) and let Team A snap it even if Team B has half their team running in and not ready (and offside).


4. Red kicks off and White makes a fair catch. The new Team A White rushes its starting offense onto the field and is ready to go. The R gives an iron cross. The new Team B Red dilly-dallies in a sideline huddle. What does the R do?

My answer based on the bulletin: Same as above. Slow them down for a couple seconds, but eventually wave the C/U away and let Team A snap it even if Team B has half their team running in and not ready. EDIT: No, this is wrong. I confused this with what if Team A *doesn't* sub after a kickoff.

[Grant - AR]

Here's how I interpret the substitution guidance nowadays. Please comment if you think I'm off base.


1. White intercepts Red's pass while grounded. The new Team A White rushes its starting offense onto the field and is ready to go. The R gives an iron cross. The new Team B Red dilly-dallies in a sideline huddle. What does the R do?

My answer based on previous years' guidance: After a fair number of seconds, start the PC. Keep the iron cross forever, but flag the new Team B for defensive DOG when the PC expires.

4. Red kicks off and White makes a fair catch. The new Team A White rushes its starting offense onto the field and is ready to go. The R gives an iron cross. The new Team B Red dilly-dallies in a sideline huddle. What does the R do?

My answer based on the bulletin: Same as above. Slow them down for a couple seconds, but eventually wave the C/U away and let Team A snap it even if Team B has half their team running in and not ready.

I thought these two would be the same answer.  I would hold the iron cross and stick Team B with a DOG.  The play clock is starting after the free kick is over so give Team A 5 more yards if Team B isn't ready.  Don't give them a cheap touchdown. 

Am I wrong here?

[NVFOA_Ump]

I thought these two would be the same answer.  I would hold the iron cross and stick Team B with a DOG.  The play clock is starting after the free kick is over so give Team A 5 more yards if Team B isn't ready.  Don't give them a cheap touchdown. 

Am I wrong here?

I don't believe so.  We can't be party to a cheap long play, TD, or try.  Need to hold the snap and if the PC runs out flag B for DOG.  They'll catch on pretty quickly if that happens.

[Morningrise]

I thought these two would be the same answer.  I would hold the iron cross and stick Team B with a DOG.  The play clock is starting after the free kick is over so give Team A 5 more yards if Team B isn't ready.  Don't give them a cheap touchdown. 

Am I wrong here?

Yeah, you're right. I should have made situation 4 be a case where Team A tries to leave the KOR team on the field without subbing.

I may have to go back and cross that out.

Okay, so situation 5: White fair-catches a kickoff. They leave their KOR team on the field to try and catch Red napping. They line up and are ready to snap it, while Red's defense dilly-dallies in a sideline huddle. After the chains and the officials are in position, what does the R do?

[NVFOA_Ump]

Okay, so situation 5: White fair-catches a kickoff. They leave their KOR team on the field to try and catch Red napping. They line up and are ready to snap it, while Red's defense dilly-dallies in a sideline huddle. After the chains and the officials are in position, what does the R do?

IMHO the R makes the ball ready for play, but does not let A snap the ball until B has some semblance of a defense aligned and ready to go.  If the PC runs out, DOG on the defense.

[TXMike]

What is the harm in just pumping it up to 25?  I can see the DOG is they are refusing to get out there despite us working hard to get them.  But otherwise I dont see itt.

[TxBJ]

What is the harm in just pumping it up to 25?  I can see the DOG is they are refusing to get out there despite us working hard to get them.  But otherwise I dont see itt.

Because the rule was put in to keep the game moving.

[TXMike]

And the bulletin and other guidance makes clear, everyone needs to be ready so if it takes a bit longer so be it.   The team that deliberately ignores our efforts and gums up the works can be dealt with. Otherwise don’t go looking for boogers.

[TxBJ]

Because the rule was put in to keep the game moving.

Okay, so I think we are probably closer to being on the same page than I originally thought. If the defense is working on getting out there, I agree to pump it up. However, the question was about a defense that won’t come off the sideline in a timely manner. The bulletin aims to prevent the offense from taking advantage, not allow the defense to game the system. I would pump it the first time (if they aren’t even attempting to get out there) but warn the coach future occurrences would be DOD.

[TxSkyBolt]

Just a mechanics point of clarification. We only use iron cross when A substitutes and then only for 3 seconds after team A suns “declare” their position. If all we’re doing is holding the snap because B is on the sideline then the R uses the stop signal to the U/C.


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[NVFOA_Ump]

Okay, so I think we are probably closer to being on the same page than I originally thought. If the defense is working on getting out there, I agree to pump it up. However, the question was about a defense that won’t come off the sideline in a timely manner. The bulletin aims to prevent the offense from taking advantage, not allow the defense to game the system. I would pump it the first time (if they aren’t even attempting to get out there) but warn the coach future occurrences would be DOD.

Agreed without question.  The first time a heads up with a quick explanation, the next time a flag.  But in any case we don't give A a free one with no defense in place.