Quote:
Originally posted by tempestos
Our association recommends, but does not require, that officials cover the top of their flags with white tape. I have heard various reasons why that practice is necessary, but none are persuasive. It seems that officials at higher ranks (NCAA/NFL) don't tape their flags. What do your associations require/recommend? What are your thoughts?
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It is not required, but many do tape their flags around here. The reasons are to keep from being seen reaching for your flag and making it obvious to the coaches, players and fans. This is the reasons we are instructed not to put the flags in our back pocket, because if you think there is a penalty about to happen, you give yourself some time to change your mind and not look obvious to everyone.
Case in point, during the Northern Illinois, Maryland game in Dekalb, IL (NIU upset Maryland). The crew that did the game was an ACC crew. I guess they keep their flags in their back pocket as a rule. Well the last play of the game had a close Pass Interference call which in my opinion should not have been called and was not called in the game. Well the commentators noticed that the official was thinking about making the call by reaching behind him and decided not to call a penalty. Part of the discussion was that "the officials wanted to make the call." Well if he had his flag in the front of his body and taped, no one would have noticed that he just decided to pass on it and it would have looked more like he was sure of his call, rather than looking like he wanted to reach for his flag.
It seems like NCAA Conferences like the SEC and ACC put their flags in their back pocket. It looks terrible, because I have seen many games in those conferences and the officials had to reach back for flags and the cameras catch this when the officials call nothing. Then the TV announcers spend the next 10 minutes debating whether a flag should have been thrown and why the official decided to not throw the flag when he reached for it. That just looks terrible in my opinion.
Peace