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Football Officiating => NCAA Discussion => Topic started by: foureyedzebra on May 01, 2011, 12:01:36 AM
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Who should have the forward progress spot on this play? Who could help with the spot?
[yt=425,350]QGx7Fy0n0hM[/yt]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGx7Fy0n0hM
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Who should have the forward progress spot on this play? Who could help with the spot?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGx7Fy0n0hM
Primary is the Line Judge, with possible cross-field help from the Head Linesman. We don't see enough of the play to see if they got a good spot. It does appear that the L overruns the spot a bit, but for all we know, he came back a yard+ (on his own or by cross-field from the L). This is a difficult, but not impossible, spot to get accurately, since the L will almost always be trailing the play. The less you have to trail, the better. Many don't want to trail more closely because they are afraid of getting too close and getting run over. That problem is mitigated by getting wider. Far too many folks think they have to trail right on the sideline, and that simply isn't true. Trail closer and wider, and you'll find yourself getting more accurate spots. Of course, being in great physical condition goes a long way toward allowing that to happen. But we all know how that goes. The good news is that, on a a play like this, micro-accuracy isn't required. A foot or two one way or the other isn't a crisis. Unfortunately, if the final spot is where the L appears he is going to 'settle,' then that's too far off (over a yard). But, to his credit, he appears to be checking action just to the right of the dead-ball area - not a bad thing. In fact, the good official will get a good spot and know what happens to/by the ball carrier. The great official will get a good spot, know what happens to/by the ball carrier and what happens around the dead-ball spot. Not saying this was great, but it wasn't bad. Could have been better, but not bad. I've certainly seen (and done) a lot worse. I would comment that the B doesn't fade hard enough. He should have been moving more parallel to the sideline, and moving harder toward B's goal line. He does not have forward progress responsibility, but he does have goal line responsibility, and he needs to get there ahead of the ball carrier. As it was, if this BC breaks and scores, he would beat the B to the goal line.
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Cross field by the H is what should happen. As soon as he reads option the other way he should have started moving down field and watching things behind the U. By continuing down field as the play develops, he could help with the spot as he would be far ahead of the L as he trails the play. Do agree with your observations on the B.
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I understand cross field mechanics, but how could the off official determine where the ball carrier stepped out of bounds?
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I understand cross field mechanics, but how could the off official determine where the ball carrier stepped out of bounds?
He didn't step OB - he fell to the ground in the field of play, then bounced/slid forward about a yard and a half. The H may have been able to get the spot where he first hit.
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Good spot or not? I vote "not". Should be at the 36, but in what appears to be the next play, the ball is spotted inside the 35. That's a yard plus off which equals not. Is it critical for the play in question? Not really, but we should be better than this.
Primary spot = LJ, whether he gets help from anyone else it's still all his call to make.
Spot help = maybe the HL with a crossfield, but in this video you can see he's still on the line when the QB pitches the ball back after getting 6 or 7 yds upfield. I doubt the HL is going to be in any sort of position to give a decent cross field spot. He's probably further behind the play than the LJ.
Perhaps could help = the BJ. He's allowed the play to run up on him a bit and might even have the best look at the spot. If the LJ is looking for help, the BJ could step up with what he saw and then let the LJ make a call. I'd have no problem with that.
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If the LJ is looking for help, he could step up with what he saw and then let the LJ make a call. I'd have no problem with that.
Concur. Even though he isn't supposed to have progess, if he can prevent a significant error, he should give his input, and L shouldn't be offended.
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Perhaps could help = the BJ. He's allowed the play to run up on him a bit and might even have the best look at the spot. If the LJ is looking for help, the BJ could step up with what he saw and then let the LJ make a call. I'd have no problem with that.
Once again, Mike L has the answer I was looking for. The B has given up his cushion (Something I do not advocate) but because of that, he has the best look at the spot. Although the spot is not his responsibility, he could have helped out with this one, being as he was already there. If he had the correct spot, he could should have spoken up.
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Once again, Mike L has the answer I was looking for.
Even a busted watch is right twice a day. ;D
But in all seriousness, mechanics guidelines are just that....guidelines. I think too many officials get tied to doing exactly what the guideline says is his job and fails to recognize there are situations where he needs to "come off" that job. Those guidelines are important, they do provide the basis of what we do, but blindly sticking to them in all situations is beginning officiating. Advanced officiating is knowing when to come off your primary responsibility because at that time it's not important to the play at hand and maybe you can be a crew saver by being the only one who sees what needs to be seen.