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It's inconsistent to say drop the arm after allowing the players or coaches to see it or hear the verbal; and also to say that no one is watching the umpire until afterward. The signal is for the DDB, not the obstruction as such. Obstruction is called when it happens and the delay of the ball being dead continues until the play ends (or runner tagged, etc.).
If you drop the signal and then return to it after the play it looks like you are waiting to see which team is favored or whether it matters at all. It might even help if your partner has time to see it. Mike's examples show very clearly why we can't predetermine how far to "protect", let alone what the players will do.
Like many other plays we talk about, it's up to the players/coaches to know what is going on and run or stop accordingly.
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Officiating takes more than OJT.
It's not our jobs to invent rulings to fit our personal idea of what should and should not be.
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