Modify the old 6 man mechanics for Texas

[Joe Stack]

We have 5 and 7 man manuals -- mostly due to the idea that the old 6 man with two deep flanks and no back judge is unworkable (or worse than 5). However, I don't see schools paying for 7 consistently in the near future, even in metro areas we don't really have the numbers to go 7 for 20+ games on Friday night, and more importantly, its very difficult to get officials trained to work in crews of 7.

So why don't we modify 6 man by putting in a side judge, leaving the back judge where he is -- perhaps moving him over a little toward the press box -- and putting the umpire where he is in the NFL. (I'm throwing in the U here because we've had several U's end their season early with injuries this year and this is coming sooner or later). I know this has been brought up before, but why have we ignored changing what might work?

[TXMike]

Send it in to TASO and the mechanics committee will consider it.  If you want it to be seriously considered though you need to do more than just say "use 6 officials".  You will need to show where they would be on each type of play and what their responsibilties will be.

[Joe Stack]

That's why I wanted input here -- especially from guys that actually worked 6 man. I know some college leagues and jucos perhaps did it not too long ago. Also, are there any objections to it that I might not have thought of.

The problem with implementation is similar to what we have with 7 man: can't really train with it at the subvarsity level, though I think we can more easily convince the school districts to use 6 rather than 7. 5 is obsolete at the 4A/5A varsity level on passing and at all levels on kicks.

[JasonTX]

At 4A/5A, if we have enough officials we do send 7 without even asking the coaches.  Most of our playoffs we usually do the same thing, especially in the later rounds.  We've never been told not to send 7. 

[James]

In terms of having a Side Judge and a Back Judge (who is working towards one hash) - I don't see any real advantage of this over the normal 6-Man of having a SJ and FJ with no BJ.
With a FJ you have an extra set of eyes on the sideline. What does it bring having him in the middle of the field? Ok, I see that there is the view from the inside on catches and stuff, but I would have to see something a little more concrete to warm up to your suggestion.

[RunRickyRun]

... However, I don't see schools paying for 7 consistently in the near future...

I've worked, although briefly, for school districts in the 3, 4 & 5 A ranges.  In that capacity, I feel fairly confident in saying that money is not the driving factor in staying with 5-man crews in most areas.  Sure, there is a school here or there that balk at paying for 4 officials on a Thursday to do 4 JH games.  Heck there is even a school in our area that consistently pays zero gate despite full stands.  However, in general, the money needed to pay two additional officials on Friday is more than justifiable and would be a welocomed tradeoff to get more eyes on the field.

Money is tight all over, and that's not likely to change, but the dollars district administrators are dealing with are not preventing them from paying an additional $200-300 5 times per season.

[Welpe]

There is a state, I believe it is Pennsylvania, that runs six man mechanics this way with a B and an S.

Some people I've talked to said that there seems to be some resistance to 7-man because more fouls will be called. Is this something you are seeing in your areas?

[Joe Stack]

Jason -- do the districts pay when 7 instead of 5 guys sign in? Or do the 7 split with the other guys?

[clearwall]

I've never done it, but I've heard that guys split the check

[JasonTX]

Jason -- do the districts pay when 7 instead of 5 guys sign in? Or do the 7 split with the other guys?

They pay all 7.  Even for sixman football we just send a 5 man crew when we have available officials without asking the schools.  This lets us get some young guys more experience.  We've had only one school who has balked on 5 officials for sixman.