[Bob Proctor]

We completely disintegrated this topic in meetings this year! Generally when the ball is punched up the gut in a short yardage goal line play most of the officials lose sight of the ball at some point. We decided that the Umpire will only point downward with both hands and say nothing unless ... 1) neither flank makes a call, and 2) both flanks make eye contact with the Ump and have nothing. At that point the Ump can give the appropriate signal ... touchdown or HARD sell the play as being short. If the ball is in a pile at the Ump's feet, the Ump will dig for the ball and tell the Referee that the ball (when he finds it) is "in" or "short" and the Ref will make the approriate signal. It seems to have worked well so far this season.