Quote:
Originally Posted by Fedex
It's more of if they are just too lazy (or tired) to walk back toward the sidelines and come back in to spot the ball after the play. I guess I still fail to understand the benefit of pinching in that close at the start of the play.
Scott
|
For at least 40 years, the recommended NFHS positioning for wing officials was, "a minimum of 9 yards outside the widest receiver" and faily recently changed to the current, "straddle the LOS on the sideline". Of course either of these recommended mechanics were intended for
VARSITY level HS contests.
The notion that the practicality, or necessity, of these recommendations would apply equally to 8 yr. olds is perposterous. The underlying objective is to simply
avoid getting TOO close to the formation to be able to respond to it. If there is a concern about getting outflanked in an 8 year old game, perhaps the wing is not the right position for you.
There are a number of distinct advantages of "pinching in" closer to the formations
at the youth levels, among which are; putting a cushion between yourself and overly inquisitive sidelines who believe part of our job is to conduct a running clinic and constanly debate the perfection of every formation and play. It's easier to ignore someone from a distance.
Younger players (not a surprise to parents of younger males) don't always listen or focus as well as their older brothers. There often seems to be a bit more "preventive officiating"needed at lower age games, and helpful suggestions are often heard better by players, and subject to less sideline eavesdropping, from just a few steps further in from the sideline. Converging in on the dead ball situations, and assuring the actions stops when it should can be more of a safety factor with younger players who may not understand, or react to whistles, or commands, as promptly as their older counterparts.
The younger the players, usually, the lower the skill and comprehension levels which can produce more confusion and players being in the wrong place at the wrong time, oblivious to their surroundings. Often, not always, the closer adult supoervision is to the actual action, the more effectiver the supervision.
In reality, there is precious little practical value to positioning wing officials at the same distance from the play as is appropriate for Varsity contests where the recommended positioning has been establised in consideration of the skill level, of Varsity level players, and the complexity and sophistication of Varsity level strategies.
Of course when confronted with any exceptional players or teams, we simply adjust and respond to the game we are working. "Pinching in",
at youth level games, is far less an indicator of either inexperience or laziness as it is simply to appropriate adjustment to the job site you're assigned to