I give the "Fickle Finger of Fate" signal. Never been told not to.
If we see a mouthguard out, etc. prior to the snap, we stop it and it is 5 yds. (Preventive officiating.)
I give the signal for delay as shown in the book. Everyone knows what I am signaling.
I made up a card for our association that we give to each school's press box for use by the announcer and clock operator. It is 8 1/2" by 11" laminated. On one side is the NF "General Instructions For Football Clock Operators." (get it at the NF web site) On the other side we have the NFS/NCAA Official Football Signals (from the rules book) and the rules for our state's "mercy rule." This has been very successful as a
PR tool for our association and the mercy rule instructions for the clock operator have been very helpful to all. It cost us about $1.80 at Kinko's to have each one made. A very good investment and we leave it with the school. They appreciate it. Now, if we can just get the announcers to look at the signals and make correct announcements of the fouls!