[QUOTE=parepat;690295]
Quote:
Originally Posted by parepat
I think I disagree with most of the posts here. Assuming both are the official and a player can run a 6 second forty they can cover 10 yards in a second and a half. Thus, if an official is 20 yards ahead of a play and needs to come back the play. He can get within 10 yards of the runner within 3/4ths of a second. However, once a player is beyond you, you will never get closer to the play. One a 50 yard play it is unlikely that you will be able to see a close out of bounds play.
|
The Back Judge has the goal line, not the wing in that case. All you have is the sideline and if the player steps out of bounds you should be able to see that fact. The Back Judge is closer to the play and expected to. But then again most plays are not 50 yards in the air. They are often 10 or 15 yards ahead at most.
And I have seen an example in our state finals where an official tried to get ahead of the play and was on top of a play near the sideline when the player caught a pass about 10 yards beyond the LOS and then ended up running into the official and the player had to be carried off because of a neck injury by the way he ran into the official on the sideline.
Quote:
Originally Posted by parepat
THus, I believe that by moving down field, the official has a better opportunity to be in good position for more plays. Therefore, I would have my wings head down 15 yards if not threatened and work back to the ball.
|
Closer is not better. It never is. To see a catch you might need to have a wider perspective to see the entire play anyway. If that was the case then the Back Judge would want to be right next to the receiver at all times. But that would mean you would be more worried about not getting involved in the play instead of trying to cover the play properly. And also using your logic, you are not going to stay with the players even if you are there next to them. They will beat you down the field anyway. So why be right next to them in the first place. No one said not to move once the pass is made. But you can wait until the ball is thrown. It is not going to hurt you.
You have a right to disagree, but I have seen on tape many plays where officials are right in the middle of plays and clearly miss the catch, no catch or they get hurt because when the player gets knocked out of bounds they have nowhere to go as the players fall at their feet. And then again they miss a spot or they get run over by others running at that player.
Peace