Fumble ?!

[IAUMP]

I guess I didn't phrase my earlier question correctly. I was taught that the U (which I work) should move to the line when reading pass. Until/unless you read a screen pass. Then you treat it like a run and stand your ground till the receiver moves past you. However, in the video it appears that the U is moving more to his right than to the line. If he held his original position, he probably wouldn't have been in the way. Just my thoughts.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by IAUMP

I guess I didn't phrase my earlier question correctly. I was taught that the U (which I work) should move to the line when reading pass. Until/unless you read a screen pass. Then you treat it like a run and stand your ground till the receiver moves past you. However, in the video it appears that the U is moving more to his right than to the line. If he held his original position, he probably wouldn't have been in the way. Just my thoughts.

I think the umpire just tried to move where he would not be in the middle of the play and he happened to be big enough that he did not get knocked down. Most of the time the player knocks us down and in this case he was big enough that the runner took the blunt of the contact. We have seen this many times, it just does not happen with that result very often if ever.

Peace

[ajmc]

I'd be inclined to give the Umpire credit for a "solo", but definitely an "assist".

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by IAUMP

I guess I didn't phrase my earlier question correctly. I was taught that the U (which I work) should move to the line when reading pass. Until/unless you read a screen pass. Then you treat it like a run and stand your ground till the receiver moves past you. However, in the video it appears that the U is moving more to his right than to the line. If he held his original position, he probably wouldn't have been in the way. Just my thoughts.

What you were taught is the same thing I've been taught; however, there are situations where standing still is the worst possible option. And, depending on play developments that we don't see because they're outside of the camera's focus, this could very well have been one of those situations.

Or the U just panicked... which also happens occasionally, especially to inexperienced Umpires.