Staying In Our Primary

[Nevadaref]

Nothing irks me more than seeing a play clearly and deciding not to blow the whistle and then having a partner come override my decision by blowing his.

I've often asked why the judgment that the action is illegal by one official takes precedence over a judgment that it was legal by another.

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Nothing irks me more than seeing a play clearly and deciding not to blow the whistle and then having a partner come override my decision by blowing his.

You must get pissed off a lot then, that's a pretty common occurrence.

[deecee]

Originally Posted by AremRed

You must get pissed off a lot then, that's a pretty common occurrence.

I have to agree with Nevada, and that doesn't usually come easy. I always pregame that if you have to reach into a primary then 2 things MUST be true

1. It's a call we have to get
AND
2. I don't have a look

IOW if I see my partner can see through both players and has a great look the only thing we can help with is a missed travel/violation. My philosophy is that if I have a good look and didn't blow the whistle it's for a reason.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Nothing irks me more than seeing a play clearly and deciding not to blow the whistle and then having a partner come override my decision by blowing his.

I've often asked why the judgment that the action is illegal by one official takes precedence over a judgment that it was legal by another.

This would irk just about anyone, but sometimes we all need help on big calls. Every official has had a play in their PCA where for some reason they had a horrible look and were grateful a partner came out with a whistle. Perhaps I should say should. I can think of one official that doesn't want you calling in his PCA for any reason no matter what even if he's convulsing on the floor. Dude also whines he can't get post-season games or rarely ever gets a 4A+ game.

[VaTerp]

My $0.02.

1) Unless you heard this directly from your assigner himself and/or know the exact context in which he made this statement I would take it with a grain of salt, even if the claims to be quoting your assinger "verbatim."

2) I'll defer to your judement on it "being too late" to rotate over but I have found that when there is a post player with the ball on the other side of the block I have regretted not going 10 X more than I have ever regretted going. I would say work on getting over there quicker and go.

And I think any of us would be bothered by someone consistently calling in our PCA but that shouldnt really ever happen.

Generally, as others have said, if someone comes and gets something then I either thank thim b/c I didnt see it for whatever reason OR if I think I had a really good look I will just ask them what they saw.

[jeremy341a]

It is your primary coverage area not your exclusive coverage area.

[Hartsy]

Originally Posted by jeremy341a

It is your primary coverage area not your exclusive coverage area.

Bingo. We have Primary Coverage Areas (PCA's) but we should look outside the PCA when we have nothing to officiate there, and provide Secondary coverage. It certainly gives the play a look from a different angle, and often it can be a BETTER angle.

[j51969]

Originally Posted by Hartsy

Bingo. We have Primary Coverage Areas (PCA's) but we should look outside the PCA when we have nothing to officiate there, and provide Secondary coverage. It certainly gives the play a look from a different angle, and often it can be a BETTER angle.

This specifically applies IMO to the "C" postion. Who has a unique angle that the "L" and "T" do not have.

[Adam]

Whether you should extend beyond your primary area depends a lot on your ability as an official. Newer officials should really focus on staying in their primary. As we progress in ability, we develop the ability to determine which calls need to be made and which ones can be passed on. We also develop an understanding of just when our distance judgment might be off.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by j51969

This specifically applies IMO to the "C" postion. Who has a unique angle that the "L" and "T" do not have.

Why would it be unique to C only. Unless the T and L and standing in the same spot, each will have just as unique of a angle on any given play.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Nothing irks me more than seeing a play clearly and deciding not to blow the whistle and then having a partner come override my decision by blowing his.

I've often asked why the judgment that the action is illegal by one official takes precedence over a judgment that it was legal by another.

The video of the end of the Georgia Southern vs App State game is a prime example of what I said here. Look at what the T and C do on the play, their positioning, their angles of view, and from where the try is attempted.

The video is posted on ESPN.com, but perhaps one of our video guys can post it here.