Measurements in Tex HS Champ Game

[TxJim]

Bottom line I am a fatboy at head line and hate to measure.  

As a HL, I'd have to know if you hate to mark it too.       

[Joe Stack]

there is not a perfect field out there

Is the distance between the sticks a perfect 10 yards every time? How do you know if you measured it only against a field?

[fbrefga]

For those that suggest to measure and not trust the field markings, how are we to know that the chains are exactly 10 yards?  Has anyone actually took out a tape measure to test the accuracy of the chains?

First HS varsity game this season, my L does his normal pregame check of the chains.  He and the SJ come to me to say that either the lines are horribly off or the chains are short.  I observed that the chains and lines were 1/2 to 3/4 yards off between the 5 yard marks at one end of the field.  Then it was apparent that the lines on the other end of the field are short by 1/2 a yard or so.  This was not just one or two lines.  This was every line.  I instructed my L to find game management and have them measure the chains with a tape measure.  The chains were perfect.  I advised both coaches about the situation and we only had one measurement the entire game.  This was also included in my game report.

Now, I will be the first to admit that measuring the chains sounds a little ridiculous.  However, I felt it was more important to let the coaches know that I handled a situation that would ensure fairness to both sides and not provide an opportunity for a perception of something otherwise.  AKA - Preventive officiating.
 

[110]

 Bottom line is there is only 6 lines that matter.  The 2 side lines, 2 end lines, and the 2 goal lines.  All the rest are for administrative or statistical purposes.  

Except for the KO line post-touchdown, the safety line, and the lines that are 10 yards adrift of that.

[BankerRef]

The fields are rarely marked accurately throughout the entire length of the field.  With chains, though, you don't CARE how accurately they're spaced because no one team gets an advantage... both teams have the same distance to go no matter which direction they are going or which end of the field they're on.

Have you ever measured by starting your measurement from the exact spot of the ball when the line to gain was established?  The answer is no. 

We measure from a starting point on a line using part of but not all the 10 yard length of the chain.  In other words our point of reference for starting the measurement is not the spot of the ball when the line to gain was established or the starting end of a 10 yard length of chain.  No, our point of reference is a point on a line on the field.  That line we start our measurement from may be no more perfectly spaced or straight than any other line on the field but because we have measured our chain and found it to be exactly ten yards long we somehow think it is always accurate and fair.  This just isn't true unless you can figure out a way to measure from the exact point that you started.  For those who believe you are trusting the ten yard length of the chain more than the lines on the field you should imagine attempting a measurement without a line to reference.  No matter how you slice it you are trusting a line on the field to be an accurate point of reference in relation to the original position of the ball.  As I've siad before, if I have to trust one line then I will trust them all.

[LarryW60]

I worked a field marked only every 10 yards and the lines were anywhere from 9 1/2 yards apart to 10 1/2 yards apart (based on the chains that were used to measure them). Using the lines to determine a first down on that field would mean the team would have to go farther for a first down in some parts of the field and shorter in others.  The chains were the only "constant" that stayed the same no matter where you were on the field.

[WABill]

Bottom line I am a fatboy at head line and hate to measure.  

[AlUpstateNY]

There are those things you control, and those you don't.  Field markings are part of the latter.  Once you accept the basic premis that the lines you are presented with are straight, and properly spaced life (and the game) seems to go a lot easier.  If something is blatantly out of whack, you always have the ultimate authority to disregard it, but other than what amounts to rare exceptions, the lines are the lines.

The "chain" is the only tool we are provided with for the explicit purpose of measuring.  Any other devices, or practices, we may use are only as accurate as the common sense that created them, and may always be subject to question.  Whether you choose to pay any attention to questions is another matter.  This great game has survived 100+ years of pacing and counting steps as a measuring tool, so it should survive a milimeter adjustment on a turf field, if a CAD layout misfired, or an unsteady groundskeeper.

When all else fails, and there are no lines visible anywhere on the field, we all rely on the eagle eye of the Referee to determine first down, or not, and then we play on.   

[FatboyHL]

Exactly.  This was the point I was trying to make and you said it better than I.  Don't make things harder than they have to be.

[Mark uk]

For those that suggest to measure and not trust the field markings, how are we to know that the chains are exactly 10 yards?  Has anyone actually took out a tape measure to test the accuracy of the chains?

Yes I routinely carry a steel tape. When you work pitches that are, e.g. marked partly in metric, you need to know what is and isn't correct.

[VALJ]

I may be approaching this differently as a rising WH, but for a critical situation where it's close, I'd rather measure.  Then, the coach on the wrong side of the result can go ballistic about how poor the spot was, but there's no doubt in his mind that the spot we gave was or wasn't a first down.  On a crucial 4th down play, I'd even do that up to about a yard or so, just so the coaches have no question whatsoever. I'm pretty sure this is something I've picked up from one or more of our veteran R's.

Individual results may vary, of course.

[bama_stripes]

On a crucial 4th down play, I'd even do that up to about a yard or so, just so the coaches have no question whatsoever. I'm pretty sure this is something I've picked up from one or more of our veteran R's.

That's a good technique to use, and will enhance your reputation among the coaches & players.

You may have to put up with some guff from your crewmates if it's not really c-l-o-s-e, but that's why we get the big bucks.

[Dommer1]

Don't you all love the feeling of bringing in the chains for that oh-so-close-spot, and realizing just before the front stake is pulled, that it's actually not close whatsoever? Get ready for some comments from your crewmates!