|
REPLY: The raised hand on a dead ball is an NFL technique. It's purpose is to alert the play clock (40 sec.) operator to start that clock. This weekend however, I was watching a college game where the crew also used this signal. I think that it might have been the Big East crew doing the Purdue-Syracuse game, but I'm not sure. Just my opinion...if the signal has no real purpose, I would say don't use it. Reason--by common usage, it's meant to indicate a dead ball. So if an official uses this signal, it is virtually the same as a whistle. And for NCAA rules (NCAA 4-1-2a), they say specifically that this signal or any signal which would normally accompany a dead ball (incomplete pass, TD, TB) is equivalent to blowing the whistle. Can only cause you grief. Just my humble opinion.
__________________
Bob M.
|