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.
