No Precision Time? HS Mechanics?

[Nevadaref]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
Why then has it not been used in college games for years? Why is it when I go to college camps I hear clinicians correct people for using the mechanic?

Why do we need to be different in something so basic? Why should I worry about how to call a ball out of bounds Monday vs. Tuesday?

Rich,
I am probably not the most qualified person to answer these questions. (Since I am not currently a college official.) However, like everyone else I have an opinion. I believe that it started with people just forgetting to put their hand up at the college level and then they started to justify it by saying that it looked better on TV to just point or something like that. Maybe it started a trend or a follow the leader thing. "If that's what the top guys do, that's what I should do too."
As you know so much of officiating today at the NCAA level concerned with the appearance on TV. Looking good has practically overtaken calling a good game. Image, ego, style, etc. are all part of the reason that many mechanics are being dropped or changed at the NCAA level.
Look at how many guys use closed fists on their hips for a block call. They say it looks stronger.
Bottom line, I think it is all purely cosmetic BS. JMHO