Mark, stomach to stomach :eek: . Can they see their feet to know if they are within the required distance to start a count? Just asking.;)

This has been a signal in CCA Men' and /Women's Manuals for a number of years. I have never used the signal in a college game and I will never use the signal in a H.S. game for one simple reason: If I AIN'T counting, then there is no closely guarded situation.

The signal is by far the most stupid idiotic signal one could think of. The signal is for coaches who are too stupid to understand the concept that if the official is not counting it means that that is no closely guarded situation.

MTD, Sr.

Perhaps this was once specified in the rules, or was once issued as an interp? I have never seen this in the rule book anywhere. It's not in 4-10.

Come on, Mark. Don't sugar coat it. Tell us how you really feel. :D

As long as you don't ask a similar question about women's games, you're OK. :p

I do not see where is says you have to use it or else. I think it is a great mechanic and I use it. I will use it many times when I see it is necessary. And when a coach starts yelling there should be a count, this signal tells them why I do not have a count without having to yell at the coach later what I was thinking. Mechanics should be to tell everyone watching what we are seeing. And in cases of a closely guarded situation, just not giving a count does not always tell the story. Some people do not count out of incompetence. At least this signal tells everyone why you do not have a count.

Mark if you do not like the signal, do not use it. Just like when they brought in the “kicking” signal it is better than just calling a violation and pointing. I am sure there were people that were not sure why you called a violation if you did not use the “kicking” signal. And at least that mechanic was accepted even thought it was not approved. I did not hear anyone complaining when that was implemented.

Peace

I like the addition of this new mechanic at the HS level, it helps us to communicate with coaches without having to talk to them :D
Perception is reality!

Rut - next time a coach is yelling about this, blow your whistle, take a tape measure out of your pocket and measure the distance between the players. Then say to the coach something like, "Nope, coach - it's 6 feet 3 inches - sorry. I'll be glad to do this every time you yell". :rolleyes:

Better yet, bring in a set of football-style chains. Then when the coach yells, whistle, bring out the chains, and measure it.

I like the chains idea...but the first down yellow line would be even better...

The players would have to freeze on the whistle - it'd be like girls' lacrosse.

We are adopting it here in Iowa as far as I know (rules meetings are still a couple of weeks away). Personally I think it is an unnecessary mechanic. If I'm counting, the player is closely guarded, if I'm not, they aren't. I'll do what the state says though.

I used to have a really nice Stanley Measuring Tape....the metal kind that you push the button and it rolls up, you know the type. Close to the end of the season, a player get his feet tangled up in it and ruined my measuring tape so I was unable to make a closely guarded call for the remainder of the season. Flash forward to now, does anyone have any suggestions where I could get another one? Should I get cuffs, pleats, patton, it's all so confusing.

Careful, Chris - I see where we're scheduled together a few times, and I might just bring along my 25' Stanley... :eek:

Quote:
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4-Closely Guarded would be a good place to start.
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BITS, you must be looking at the 2006-07 book. The forward foot to forward foot directive appears in the new 2007-08 version. ;)