5-Man Mechanics but with the Umpire in the offensive backfield

[AlUpstateNY]

I have a U for a long time and this season I had the worst blindside in all my years.  Receiver came across the middle he didn't see me I didn't see him.  My LJ was it was a great blindside block and came running out because he didn't think I was getting up. Trainers were there as well. Well I did lay there for a bit and it took some time to shake it off.  But even with that this old man doesn't want to give up the view that I have being with B. Having to have you head on a swivel at times and being aware of what is going on is just part of the position, but the position is necessary.

Evidently, "the game" alone decides when to provide a not so gentle reminder of an Umpire Occupational Hazard.  Glad to hear it was only a reminder.  I hope your crew gave you credit for a "Solo", and I'll wager the memory will lubricate your "swivel" and eliminate the need for additional reminders (EVER).  Not everyone is cut out to make it all the way to being a (long time) Umpire, Congratulations and best wishes for (reminder free) continued success in the middle..

[riffraft]

Evidently, "the game" alone decides when to provide a not so gentle reminder of an Umpire Occupational Hazard.  Glad to hear it was only a reminder.  I hope your crew gave you credit for a "Solo", and I'll wager the memory will lubricate your "swivel" and eliminate the need for additional reminders (EVER).  Not everyone is cut out to make it all the way to being a (long time) Umpire, Congratulations and best wishes for (reminder free) continued success in the middle..

Once everyone realized I was ok, I took a lot of good natured ribbing and a number of times members of my crew have sent me the video clip of me laying on the ground just to remind me.  The film doesn't show the actual hit, just the results. And yes, it was definitely a reminder. Wife definitely wants me to change positions, but just can't give it up.

[AlUpstateNY]

Once everyone realized I was ok, I took a lot of good natured ribbing and a number of times members of my crew have sent me the video clip of me laying on the ground just to remind me.  The film doesn't show the actual hit, just the results. And yes, it was definitely a reminder. Wife definitely wants me to change positions, but just can't give it up.

Don't worry, once you've established yourself as an "Umpire", that mindset is permanently established.  Should you decide to change the color of your hat, that mindset and experience will serve you well in a new role.  Never forget, wives of Officials accept a long list of special challenges.

[Bubba Ump]

The main problem is this.  If you are doing your job you are going to get hit.  If your head is on a swivel then you aren't doing your job.  I am as good as anybody when I have clear view of my keys.  If I have to look for a crossing route or trying to avoid a screen, I'm not much help to the crew.  There is no injury worth a better look.  Every one of us that have worked 200+ varsity games at Umpire position have stories to tell.  I know two guys in the past 4 years that ended up in the hospital.  We will adjust to the "C" position.  You might have to take a few more steps to get to the pile. Like it or not, the game has evolved to RPO.  Lot's more action in the middle.  We don't referee basketball from the elbows or call balls and strikes from between the pitcher and catcher.  There's a reason the all the other positions keep the action in front of them. 

[SCline]

There is no injury worth a better look.

Quoted again for those sticks in the mud

[riffraft]

Quoted again for those sticks in the mud

As a stick in the mud, there is always risk vs reward.  What are the chances of a serious injury versus the advantage of a better view?  Personally considering how many plays happen across high school football every season versus how many serious injuries to officials, I think the risk is negligible compared to the reward.  Of course, we can say even if it saves one official from serious injury it is worth the loss of the view, which is an extreme view which to me is not a reasonable argument.

BTW, "head on a swivel" may not be the best way to describe how to be a U, maybe situationally aware is better. While I can keep an eye on my keys, most of the time I feel what is coming and can avoid it without losing my focus.  And I would say that is true of most positions.

I have been an R enough times through the years to know I don't like being back there. However, just like I don't like being the uniform police, I still do it every week, if they move me back behind A, I will adjust and do my job.

[AlUpstateNY]

Quoted again for those sticks in the mud

We seem to be reminded, a lot lately, that rushing a "quick cure" can cause FAR more lasting damage than a carefully considered MODERATE adjustment. Fire fighters would be a lot safer, watching fires burn themselves out from a safe distance, but.......

[Ralph Damren]

For any of you watching the end of the 49er/Cowboy game, you may realize another problem with the ump' on the wrong side of tracks' that we hadn't considered. The ump  barreling thru the O-line to spot the ball may have caused the game to end before the spike. (7-man crew).

Would Tom Landry have called such a play  ?

[ElvisLives]

For any of you watching the end of the 49er/Cowboy game, you may realize another problem with the ump' on the wrong side of tracks' that we hadn't considered. The ump  barreling thru the O-line to spot the ball may have caused the game to end before the spike. (7-man crew).

Would Tom Landry have called such a play  ?

As Romo correctly pointed out, the players should be coached to get the ball to the U, if they want to be able to snap the ball quickly. Let’s not fault the crew for the fact that Dallas simply didn’t play well enough to win.

[PABJNR]

Anybody notice the extra 2 seconds? SF calls TO on 4th and inches at :38.  They run the play but a false start. ECO resets clock to 40…I was waiting for the officials to notice and reset to :38, never did. Good thing they didn’t clock it wit 1 or 2 seconds


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[fudilligas]

For any of you watching the end of the 49er/Cowboy game, you may realize another problem with the ump' on the wrong side of tracks' that we hadn't considered. The ump  barreling thru the O-line to spot the ball may have caused the game to end before the spike. (7-man crew).

Would Tom Landry have called such a play  ?

do you see a mechanics change next year:  U will be on the defense side of ball in the last 2 minutes of 2nd and 4th quarter

[ElvisLives]

Anybody notice the extra 2 seconds? SF calls TO on 4th and inches at :38.  They run the play but a false start. ECO resets clock to 40…I was waiting for the officials to notice and reset to :38, never did. Good thing they didn’t clock it wit 1 or 2 seconds


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The TV clock isn’t the official clock, and it isn’t tied in to the official clock. For all we know, the actual game clock never ran on the FST, or was reset by the GCO without requiring an announcement.

[PABJNR]

Good to know, I thought they tied the broadcast clock into the game clocks. 


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[AlUpstateNY]

do you see a mechanics change next year:  U will be on the defense side of ball in the last 2 minutes of 2nd and 4th quarter

Is it my imagination, or am I seeing more instances of BOTH a traditional U AND a C in NCAA post season games, to satisfy the unique advantages of BOTH perspectives?

[ElvisLives]

Where have you been, Al? The NCAA never got away from the ‘traditional’ U. They added the C (full time, for all NCAA contests) back around 2013 or 2014.
With the C, however, the duties and positioning of the U have changed modestly. But, he is still on the defensive side of the ball, where he has always been.

[AlUpstateNY]

Hopefully/thankfully during the NFHS season, I don't have many Fri nights or Sat. afternoons to watch NCAA games.  As we often discuss, differences between NCAA and NFHS regarding specific rule applications I hadn't been thinking more about the impact of NFL official's configurations as might apply to NFHS.  Of course the major difference is 8 man crews vs 5, 6 or (rare) 7 man crews, but player's capabilities between NFL & NFHS is an even greater issue. 

Are you suggesting this whole issue about relocating the Umpire for NFHS level games, in light of our unfortunate decline is available personnel, may only amount to " Much ado, about nothing."?

[blandis]

I am an Umpire and I am totally against it in 5-man. You need that inside presence to prevent nonsense with the linemen and it gives you an inside-out look on pass coverage. You lose too much and don't gain enough back to justify the move in high school. The NFL should have moved the Umpire position 10-yards back just like NCAA to prevent the collisions that they were worried about.

[BIG UMP]

Thank all that's good, Tennessee last week voted not to move our U.  As stated earlier I was not dead set against it in 7-man but 5-man it was too much of a loss.

[KWH]

Thanking all that's good, Oregon has changed the mechanics of the H and the L and they will stay much longer and pick up some of the responsibilities formerly belong to the U or the C.
The Official that is responsible for action in the middle will be referred to as the U if working on the Defensive side of the ball and the C if working on the optional Offensive side of the ball.
We have been blessed by the NFHS to experiment with this for two years and determine the flaws along with the positives.
RESTATED: Crews SHALL have the option of working with the traditional U or choosing the alternate mechanic with the C replacing the U.
The H and L mechanics will change identically and are not dependent on the C or the U
The B and the R will also have some changes in responsibilities. There will be situation when the R or the B will placing the ball.
Should be an interesting time.

Note to Bossman - No Hefty Brethren will be displaced during this experiment. 
 

[Refmike22]

KWH - Well Done!!!  This will be interesting to play with over the next couple of years! 

[bossman72]

Note to Bossman - No Hefty Brethren will be displaced during this experiment. 
 

Our husky brethren thank you!!!

[KWH]

To be honest Bossman, the same issue you described exists all throughout the land of E. Pluribus Unum!
The current plans are to continue with the traditional umpire but make it an option for that official to move to the C position.
He/She/Him/her/them/they will work a little deeper in the traditional position and the wings will garner more responsibility but the goal is to have the wings and the B have essentially the same responsibilities regardless if there is a U or a C.
The C becomes a U in obvious scrimmage kick situations. The U doesn't come to the line anymore! The wings stay longer.
We know we have kinks to work out and this may require many a late night discussion in someone's man cave but anything is do-able and we have two years to play with this and if it turns out to be unworkable, we will take it out in the High Desert, shoot it in the head and bury it.
Again, we will have both options available so it is a win win.  Restated, those who are convinced the whole idea is a crock of sh*t can have a U and those who want to give it a try may do ss from the C position.

That being said, Rest assured, no one is out to replace the "Hefty Brethren and no "Hefty Brethren were harmed working the C position.

[AlUpstateNY]

Note to Bossman - No Hefty Brethren will be displaced during this experiment. 

One might consider additional adjectives to reference Umpires, such as : adroit. agile, attentive, flexible, nimble, dexterous or even sprightly as being more accurately descriptive to address the Umpire's wide range of responsibilities. 

[bama_stripes]

One might consider additional adjectives to reference Umpires, such as : adroit. agile, attentive, flexible, nimble, dexterous or even sprightly as being more accurately descriptive to address the Umpire's wide range of responsibilities.

Both anecdotal and empirical evidence suggests otherwise, in many cases. 

[KWH]

KWH - Well Done!!!  This will be interesting to play with over the next couple of years!

Thanks Refmike22 but wait...
...Something makes me think you had quite a huge part in the development of this???