[don16954]

I work ten to twelve peewee, JH and Undergrad games in addition to our weekly 1-2 varisty games. It is generally difficult to get and keep a chain gaing for more than a half. At JH I have had parents come onto the field to get their sons who were working the chians and leave, I have the kids just walk of in the middle of a series of downs to go play a pick up game in an adjoining lot, etc. I agree with BLue Zebra, the best way to get help is to have the PA announce. However, unlike Blue Zebra, we usually have the annoucer advise the stands that if there is not at least three volunteers to run the chains, the officials will have to declare a forfeit for the visiting team. The parents will flock out of the stands to make sure that "Little Johnny" plays. Perhaps the team still loses, but that is better than allowing a forfeit to occur.

USING A CLIP.

In our association area, the undergrad games are usually worked by mixed crews and noone knows what position he is working until a few minutes before game time. This gives older officials the chance to work various positions other than their weekly varsity position, as well as allows young officials to work where they are most comfortable. After twelve years and having worked all positions on the varisty level, I usually take whatever position no one else wants. If that turns out to be the Linesman, I would not think of not using a clip. If there is a clip, I emphasize that it is not important to reset the clip every series of downs, but that I will place it for measurements and between periods. If the chain gang does not have one and I do not have time to go back to the van to get mine, I generally use my Smitty whistle lanyard (I use a finger whistle and a lanyard whistle) as a clip for measurements and for between periods.

WHERE TO PUT THE CLIP.

I am the umpire on our varisty crew. My wings and I have an agreement that we try to spot the ball as close to a line as possible, without obviously moving the actual spot of the ball to start a drive and the first series of downs. This is easy on a touchback as I spot the ball with the front nose just touching the twenty yard line, and it is obvious that if the ball touches the thirty or is beyond it is a first down.

I use this same theory as to where to put the clip. I place it on the back edge of the line furtherest from the goal-to-gain post, so that when the chain is stretched to it fullest from that spot it is clear where the clip is, as it contrasts with the painted line, and where the line to gain is. Further the NFHS Officials Manual, which our association, and most others use as the point of reference, states:

Measuring for First Down using Traditional Rods and Chains

III. LINESMAN A. When a measurement is signaled by referee: 1. Grasp chain and clip at the back edge of the back-yard line (don't just grasp clip since clip could detach).
Five Officials (2202-03 Oficials Manual P.75, Measuring for First Down using Traditional ROds and Chains III.A.1.)
Four Officials (2202-03 Oficials Manual P.43, Measuring for First Down using Traditional ROds and Chains III.A.1.)

BETWEEN PERIODS PROCEDURE
IV. LINESMAN C. Clip chain at back edge of back-yard line.
Five Officials (2202-03 Oficials Manual P.78, Between Periods Procedure III.C.)
Four Officals(2202-03 Oficials Manual P.46, Between Periods Procedure, III.C.)

I do not understand why any official would want to even give a coach, or fans, a scintilla of reason to question whether the officials are giving the most accruate measurement possible. By all NHFS officials and associations just use a clip, or the little improvisation of a lanyard, as well as following the NHFS measurement procedure, all coaches, officials and fans know that every crew and official is doing the same thing to ensure that measurements are done the same every time a measurement is taken. That has to be a lot more reassuring to everyone regarding an official's final decision whether the line to gain was achieved or not, than merely eyeballing the sideline, taking the risk of dropping the chain and not knowing which link is to be on the line, or being questioned why each crew measures differently or why even the same crew is using a different clip spot for each measurement.