[dumbref]

Originally posted by BigFarns

I had a game today and paid special attention on plays away as to where I was looking and what I was seeing. I must apologize because I noticed twice where for some unknown reason I stopped watching my area and started watching the ball on the other side. That is probably more likely what happen back in situation #2 of the original post.

In situation #1 though I still don't agree that I must watch only my side of the LOS. I mean why should that other official tell the kid that he was "OK"? He shouldn't and you can get way too much of an advantage by lining up offsides.
What would I think of the other official if it happen to me? Well, I'd think he was covering a mistake for me...but the last thing I'd do is run into the conference they were having and force the flag to be picked up. In fact I'd be embarrassed for telling the kid he was lined up correctly when he obviously wasn't.
This is of course my opinion...but judging from the responces I've gotten on this forum and the responces I got from some officials in person...I guess I'm wrong. Which is fine...that's what the forum is for...for me to be wrong and learn. Right?!?

Anyhow...I looked back at my post and maybe I'm being too defensive. I played a lot of years, I've been a coach and now I'm an official. The last thing I'd want to be accused of is being "an over officious jerk". Especially being accused by another official as such. I did not move to being an official to control anything....I simply did it to be involved in the game I love. I would still coach but I don't have the time to do that anymore. Now two games a week as an official is all I can do.

Now you are learning from your experiences! You have been trained as a player, a coach, as a specter and watching TV to follow the football. One of the hardest things to break as official is looking away from the ball. Sometimes you feel like you are missing one heck of a game. People ask questions all the time “Did you see that cut the runner made?” or “Did you see that catch?” And most of the time I can truly say “No, but did you see the block the set it up?” I have been doing this 33 years and I still struggle to look away at times. But that is when the filter kicks in and says don’t throw that flag – it’s not your area. Or it had not effect on the play. But it doesn’t prevent me from letting the player know I saw it.

As far as making someone pick up a flag – I can honestly say I have never done that. I have asked “Are you sure?” Or “Did you see the whole block?” If the answer is yes – then I mark it off. The choice to pick it up should always be theirs. Now I may talk to them at half time or at the end of the game about a call I disagreed with– but not during the game.