Onside Kick Mechanics

[bama_stripes]

K scores to pull within 8 with less than a minute to play.  Obvious onside kick coming.

The 7-man crew deploys with 2 at K’s restraining line (40), 2 at R’s restraining line (50), and.....
2 at the K-45!

After I got over my initial shock, I got to thinking that maybe this was actually a good idea.  I haven’t sorted out who are the keys for each official, but I’m guessing that the 2 middle officials would have players closest to the ball at the time of the kick.

Anyone else ever seen this?  Thoughts?

PS: K recovered, scored on the last play of regulation + 2-pt conversion to tie, then won in OT after being down by 14 with 2 minutes to play.

[Ralph Damren]

We work with 5-man crews during regular season. When an onside kick is obvious, we move HL & U upto 50 which bumps HL up to K's 40 & R plays centerfield back around R's 20 (behind R's deepest reciever).

[dammitbobby]

That is NCAA mechanic as well.

I think it would be more advantageous for officiating the onside kick if the 'middle' officials (I think S and F) are positioned either 5 or 10 yards behind R's restraining line, to give a clearer view of all the action should a kick make it through the initial line. And even if it doesn't make it through, you then have two officials who have different angles and perspectives on what happens.

[ElvisLives]

In a crew of 7 with an onside kick, the B and U are checking for offside, and then assist with illegal blocking and touching by A. The L and H (now between the restraining lines) are primary on touching of the ball (legal and illegal), secondary on illegal blocks by A. The F and S are primary for encroachment by B, then illegal blocks by A, and can assist with touching of the ball.
With an onside kick, all we really must know is who touched the ball first, and WHERE that happened. If we know that, everything else resolves itself.
If the ball gets kicked deep, the F and S simply drop back to cover the runback, as though they had started on the goal line. The H and L fade to lead action down the field, and get to the GL before the BC. The U and B do what they always do on deep free kicks.

[GoodScout]

This is our mechanic as well, with the 2 officials on the 45.

Ironically we had an unexpected onside kick in our state semifinal game this weekend, and I was able to put a beanbag down for first touching by K at their 48 before they recovered it at R's 48. The idiot TV announcers were melting down ("Why aren't they giving it to them? I didn't see anyone put a flag down!") but my crew was thrilled I had it. Having another official at the 45 would have made it even easier.

[Ralph Damren]

In Maine, about 1/3 of our high schools play 8-man football. With a more open field many choose to squib or onside kick to prevent long runbacks. We had this discussion in pre-game with one coach.....

ME : "Coach, do you have any unusal plays we should be aware of ?"   

COACH : "Our kicker is really good at kicking the kickoff so she'll bounce outa bounds inside their 35  "

ME : "They can have you re-kick with a 5 yard penalty in lieu of the 25 yard award  "

COACH : 'Ayuh,spec' so, don't spec'  the other coach will know 'bout it though  "

ME : " It is my duty to inform him of his choices  ."

COACH : Dag-gummit, that ruins ma' whole game plan  "

EPILOGUE: His team never scored, but had to kickoff to start the second half. The kick went about 5 yards and was recovered by R...

...AND THE BAND PLAYED ON 

[Fatso]

The 7-man crew deploys with 2 at K’s restraining line (40), 2 at R’s restraining line (50), and.....
2 at the K-45!

We do the same in LA.  H and L are at the K45.

[Ted T]

K scores to pull within 8 with less than a minute to play.  Obvious onside kick coming.

The 7-man crew deploys with 2 at K’s restraining line (40), 2 at R’s restraining line (50), and.....
2 at the K-45!

After I got over my initial shock, I got to thinking that maybe this was actually a good idea.  I haven’t sorted out who are the keys for each official, but I’m guessing that the 2 middle officials would have players closest to the ball at the time of the kick.

Anyone else ever seen this?  Thoughts?

PS: K recovered, scored on the last play of regulation + 2-pt conversion to tie, then won in OT after being down by 14 with 2 minutes to play.

These are the mechanics for a 7 official playoff crew in PA.  Unfortunately, the mechanics manual does not provide any keys for the the H and the L in this situation.

[TampaSteve]

with whatever mechanics everyone adopts, it seems everyone should have their beanbag already in hand (one less thing to be grabbing for when the bodies and balls are flying)

[dammitbobby]

with whatever mechanics everyone adopts, it seems everyone should have their beanbag already in hand (one less thing to be grabbing for when the bodies and balls are flying)

I absolutely have a beanbag in one hand and whistle in the other when I suspect an onside kick.

[GoodScout]

I absolutely have a beanbag in one hand and whistle in the other when I suspect an onside kick.

We were trained to have it in our hand and when we raise it to signal we're ready to make sure the white hat can see it.