Tunnel Vision Excuse

[FrankNFHS]

One nice aspect of being an official and at the same time an active football coach is that one develops a unique perspective on officiating.

To that end...a quick scenario with an open letter for feedback.

Defensive end is constantly wrapping up and throwing down the tight end who is assigned to block him.  In the end, the tight end is blowing the guy off the line and able to maneuver him away from the play.  In his frustration the defensive end starts throwing down the tight end after the whistle, pulling on the tight end's face mask, and coming up swinging after he is blocked to the ground.

The coach tells the line judge what is going on and the answer is one I hear a lot when I am on the sideline, "coach, I have the ball carrier, that's not my call..."

OK...maybe there are some key lines of sight the line judge has to make in taking on the ball carrier to his side, but to give the impression that he won't make any other calls that would be in his vicinity...well let's just say that seems very odd.

I was on the chain crew so I was watching and a few times the lines judge was right in front of me and his line of sight was clearly such that he could witness what was going on.  Now that I think of it, I don't think he threw a flag all night.

[TampaSteve]

Seems the defensive end manuver's were probably before the ball crossed the LOS; therefore, seeing that R has the carrier up to the LOS, it appears L didn't fully know his keys.
"not my call" - such a cardinal sin. 
.sounds so much better if one says, "coach that's not my initial key and I'm not looking there when what you say is happening."

Since DE is taking himself out of the play in wrapping TE - he's only hurting his team so who cares, don't flag. 
other shenanigans De is doing w/ facemask, etc. - flag him

[mbyron]

.sounds so much better if one says, "coach that's not my initial key and I'm not looking there when what you say is happening."

Or: "I'll take that to the crew and we'll watch for it, coach."

[FrankNFHS]

mybron,

I like your approach because it adds another dimension to my response to the coach which is something like
"Thank you Sir, I'll keep an eye out for this..."

In your comment you mention taking it to the crew.  Very nice...shows recognition and receipt of the coach's comment and the official's effort to promote communication within the crew working the game.

I'm keeping this in my mental file for future reference.

[Curious]

The reply given to you is totally unacceptable.  That said, depending on the size of the crew working your game and state-mandated mechanics, keys can be different.

If you have the standard 5-man crew, the tight end is often the primary key of the back judge.  The wing officials may have the tight end too if there is a wide out to that official's side.  Obviously, the task of observing all eligible receivers gets more difficult as the the number of officials declines.

But, at a minimum any coach who brings your scenario to an official in a "reasonable" manner deserves an "I will watch for it, coach"; or, "I'll let the back judge and other crew members know about your concern".

[takemeaway10]

That's just something officials say when they want to pass on the responsibility. However, safety is everyone's responsibility. With a "That's not my call" response, you lead me to believe that if you had seen the facemask, you still wouldn't call it.

Don't pass the buck.Let them think you're wrong without actually admitting to it. "If I missed it, I'm sorry and I'll keep an eye out for it." Don't make your crewmates look bad by essentially saying that one of them screwed up and it's not your fault.

[mbyron]

That's just something officials say when they want to pass on the responsibility. However, safety is everyone's responsibility. With a "That's not my call" response, you lead me to believe that if you had seen the facemask, you still wouldn't call it.

Don't pass the buck.Let them think you're wrong without actually admitting to it. "If I missed it, I'm sorry and I'll keep an eye out for it." Don't make your crewmates look bad by essentially saying that one of them screwed up and it's not your fault.

Disagree. The coach couldn't care less who should have thrown the flag. He just wants a flag thrown. You're not throwing anyone under the bus, because he knows somebody should have had a flag. Apologies are moot.

Your response should be short and professional, acknowledging the coach while admitting nothing. That's the point of telling him that the crew will continue to work hard and watch for fouls.

[takemeaway10]

Disagree. The coach couldn't care less who should have thrown the flag. He just wants a flag thrown. You're not throwing anyone under the bus, because he knows somebody should have had a flag. Apologies are moot.

Your response should be short and professional, acknowledging the coach while admitting nothing. That's the point of telling him that the crew will continue to work hard and watch for fouls.

I can't tell you it happens often, but I've been scolded for not throwing a flag, even after other crewmates did so.

[BIG UMP]

Or: "I'll take that to the crew and we'll watch for it, coach."

This is the correct answer. 

[losthog]

Mbyron I like your response and it is something close to what I do in games.  I agree short sweet and to the point without calling attention to your crew. 


"Coach I hear you we will watch for it."  is my usual response, and I often share the coaches keys with the crew at the next available time or end of quarter, half, etc.   Never, never, never, it is not my key, job, or I don't know why that guy is not calling that I see it too.

Remember the miranda rights on the field guys...  You have the right to remain silent, any thing you say can and will be used against you and your crew.