[Mike Simonds]

I noticed that most college and high school officiating associations are moving towards the wider mechanics. The wing officials start at the sideline and then officiate in. Sounds like the line judge in your game was positioned too close. In a high school game our line judge would never start at the numbers. Like an old timer explained once: its easier to move forwards than backwards, but if you do get caught retreat backwards and into the backfield and let the runner get by you.

Do you run a balanced or unbalanced line? In Hawaii, all associations are required to use the following mechanics for the LJ and HL:

4 linemen on my side of the center - Hold hand on side of face.

2 linemen on my side of the center - Pat face with hand.

Widest player is off the line - Punch arm towards backfield.

If each side has 3 linemen next to the center - HL and LJ point to each other.

As for the equipment foul, if the chin strap got unbuckled by contact during the last play, the officials should tell the player to buckle it during the dead ball. A penalty seems too severe in this case.



[Edited by Mike Simonds on Oct 6th, 2002 at 08:55 PM]