Author Topic: Chain Clips. (Read 20050 times)

IrishGuard57 · « **on:** January 30, 2021, 12:35:57 PM »

So I am just starting out and want to ask all head linesman. Do you prefer the cloth chain clips or the plastic dials and why.

bossman72 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2021, 01:29:16 PM »

Cloth/ribbon type is just easier to keep in your bag and easier to keep in your pocket. That's why I like them.

ElvisLives · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2021, 03:25:50 PM »

Both work fine. The most important thing is to have two, and be sure the chain crew uses both correctly.

HLinNC · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2021, 07:39:15 PM »

I make my own. Metal clips, nylon rope, and flourescent tape from the hardware store. I carry a few, leave them with schools if they don't have any or break. When I run low I make more.

TampaSteve · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2021, 10:43:24 AM »

That's a pretty darn good idea.

dammitbobby · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2021, 05:21:26 PM »

I prefer the cloth for the exact same reason as others, but have been told that it's better to use the disc ones; apparently some people feel that the cloth ones can 'move' on their own too much. I give them two to use if I think the clip guy can manage it (assuming I even HAVE a clip guy)

Etref · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2021, 07:54:02 PM »

Quote from: HLinNC on January 30, 2021, 07:39:15 PM

I make my own. Metal clips, nylon rope, and flourescent tape from the hardware store. I carry a few, leave them with schools if they don't have any or break. When I run low I make more.

Then you have clips and rope to mend the chains!

SDR · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2021, 09:09:55 PM »

No, you carry a few zip-ties in your hat band to fix chains in distress.

HLinNC · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2021, 07:11:14 AM »

Quote

you carry a few zip-ties in your hat band

Yep. I make sure to buy the flourescent colors.

CalhounLJ · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2021, 10:46:32 AM »

Quote from: HLinNC on January 30, 2021, 07:39:15 PM

I make my own. Metal clips, nylon rope, and flourescent tape from the hardware store. I carry a few, leave them with schools if they don't have any or break. When I run low I make more.

I'd love to see a pic of one of those.

HLinNC · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2021, 11:33:56 AM »

https://ibb.co/54dSmxT

dammitbobby · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2021, 11:57:26 AM »

I keep a couple of these on every clip.

(I used to have just one, until the time both chain markers broke

)

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Nite-Ize-Stainless-Snap-Hook-Key-Ring/1000212599

AlUpstateNY · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2021, 12:15:05 PM »

Quote from: SDR on February 01, 2021, 09:09:55 PM

No, you carry a few zip-ties in your hat band to fix chains in distress.

EVERY HL, at every level, should carry a couple of zip-ties inside their hatband. They're not heavy, and you'll likely forget they're even there UNTIL you need one.
You'll likely carry the same zip-ties as long as you keep that cap. Should a chain break, the game stops, and EVERYONE (Players, Coaches, Spectators, Administrators) immediately look to the HL for a solution, which those zip-ties will usually, and immediately, provide.

It's likely a smart crew mate, with an older cap, might find a pair of forgotten zip-ties from a previous HL assignment in his cap, that might serve as backup.

HLinNC · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2021, 02:16:54 PM »

Nite Ize is the same company that made/distributed the cell phone holsters I bought at a Tractor Supply bargain bin for our walkies.

Grant - AR · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2021, 03:26:35 PM »

Quote from: HLinNC on February 02, 2021, 07:11:14 AM

Yep. I make sure to buy the flourescent colors.

That way, the next crew can say, "Yep, HLinNC has been here before."

HLinNC · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2021, 05:08:28 PM »

Quote

That way, the next crew can say, "Yep, HLinNC has been here before.

"

More like easier to see. Sometimes if the two inch thick wad of athletic tape on the chain is too dark to see or isn't really on the midpoint, I'll use the flourescent tie to mark with. But your theory works too.

refjeff · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2021, 03:36:20 PM »

Quote from: ElvisLives on January 30, 2021, 03:25:50 PM

Both work fine. The most important thing is to have two, and be sure the chain crew uses both correctly.

Uses both?

ElvisLives · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2021, 03:58:12 PM »

Quote from: refjeff on February 12, 2021, 03:36:20 PM

Uses both?

Yes. For the first scrimmage series of game, the clip person places a clip on the chain at the appropriate location. When the chains are relocated for the next series, the clip person leaves in place the clip already on the chain, and places the second clip on the chain at the appropriate location. Leaving the clip on the chain and using the second clip for the new series accomplishes two things: 1) the clip for the new series can be set very quickly (rather than having to take the time to remove the clip on the chain and reset it, and 2) more importantly, by leaving the clip for the previous series on the chain, you can easily reset the chains at the previous location, if needed (like, if the chain crew moves the chains before being instructed to do so, and there needs to be a penalty enforcement).

When the ball is snapped for the next (first) down, the clip person then removes the clip that was in place for the previous series, because, once the ball is snapped, by rule, we can’t go back and correct anything.

The clip person repeats this process for each new series.

refjeff · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2021, 04:33:10 PM »

That's not a bad idea, I have never heard of two clips being used.

yarnnelg · « **Reply #19 on:** March 07, 2021, 11:45:34 AM »

Our Umpire was a machinist and made aluminum plate discs with holes stamped for 50, 45, 40, 35 etc. I then used a double hasp clip from Home Depot and carried a spare in my pocket. Around the spare clip was a rubber band with ten florescent zip ties about four inches long each. Those were life savers multiple times. Then I got wise and moved to the other sideline ....

HLinNC · « **Reply #20 on:** March 07, 2021, 12:49:20 PM »

My son has a 3D printer. I may see what he can create.

ElvisLives · « **Reply #21 on:** March 07, 2021, 03:29:23 PM »

I have kept a lot of stuff over the years (red/white foul marker, etc.), but I probably gave away the old plastic ‘phone dial’ style clips we used in my earlier years. I don’t exactly remember, but I guess they had 10 dial holes, with yard line numbers printed at each hole (5 yard increments). The holes were large enough to let the clip hook (on a chain) pass thru the appropriate hole, and then hook to the clip. Slightly easier than having a double clip hook, and un-hook/re-hook to the dial (before or after clipping to the chain). Then, somebody invented the far-more-convenient rotating dial clip that is most common today, making the phone-dial style a relic.

Etref · « **Reply #22 on:** March 08, 2021, 09:53:34 AM »

I loaned mine to a young official that was working L. He looked at me like “ what is this”?

HLinNC · « **Reply #23 on:** March 08, 2021, 02:33:35 PM »

Quote

but I probably gave away the old plastic ‘phone dial’ style clips we used in my earlier years.

I bought one back in the 90's after I started and it looked like HL was the position for me. At some point it "wandered off."

When my son started playing HS FB, I took a quasi-sabbatical and helped the booster club with team stuff. We got the chain set out of the room in the concession stand for a scrimmage one day. There was my old rotary disc clip with my name and old home phone number on it. I guess I had loaned it out to some crew there and forgot it.

It is now safe and sound in my "throwback bag" with a white beanbag and metal Acme Thunderers.

toma · « **Reply #24 on:** March 08, 2021, 02:53:55 PM »

I always have a nylon tie wrap in my hat. Chain breaks you have it for a quick repair.